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If Colombia hasn’t made it into your travel plans yet, it definitely should. Following our recent visit of over two months in the stunning country, it’s quickly risen to one of our all-time favourites. From breathtaking beaches on two different coastlines to bustling cities and quaint little pueblos, high in the Andes - Colombia has everything. Guest Blogger: Kylee and Mark Hayes, These Foreign Roads 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. Get Yourself to Colombia! Over the last decade or so, Colombia has quickly been shedding its notorious image. Although the country is still far from perfect, it’s no longer living under the shadow of its dark past. As much as we’d have liked to see everything this great nation has to offer, we simply ran out of time. However, it didn’t stop us from discovering some truly incredible sights. One of our absolute favourites was Colombia’s famous coffee region. High in the Andean highlands, this collection of small villages dotting the beautiful green landscape is a must-visit location. Here are three of our favourite towns, some activities to take part in, and some of the best food to eat while visiting! The Square in Jardin #1 Jardin Jardin is definitely the least visited town on the list, yet probably our favourite of the three. Also, the smallest of the three, what stood out the most to us was how simple and relaxed the vibe was. Aside from the outstanding colours of the buildings and the lush hillsides around the town, it’s busiest moments are late in the afternoon as jeeps full of local produce are brought into the local stores from the surrounding farms. From that point on, old men in ponchos and cowboy hats sit around colourful tables un the square, sipping on coffee and beer. Taking the "Rusty Garden Shed"  Cable Car to the Top #2 Ride the Sketchy Cable Cars Probably the most unique experience in Jardin are the cable cars. Originally built to help people from the hillsides reach the town more conveniently, with the recent addition of a bridge south of the village, the cable cars are more for fun. The newer, more modern car was out of service during our visit, but thankfully the “rusty garden shed” was still active. Gazing upon the contraption for the first time, it was immediately clear where it got its name. It’s just a simple metal and wood shack, hanging precariously on twin cables, with a third on a simple winch that pulls it across the valley. As dodgy as it looked, even as it swayed in the wind, we felt perfectly safe. Stopping at the top for some snacks and a cold beer make it a complete journey. #3 Catch your own Lunch Another experience that seems to be unique to Jardin is the ability to catch your own lunch. This region of Colombia is known for its freshwater trout, and farms dot the countryside. Although many of the trout farms include restaurants that will cook up some of the tasty fish, a few of them, such as Trucheria Montemar, actually allow you to grab a rod and catch your own! #4 Filandia Another village that’s quickly climbing up the tourism ladder is Filandia. Though it’s a relatively short distance from Jardin, due to the mountainous terrain, the journey takes most of a day. While the landscape here is much less dramatic than other towns of the region, the atmosphere is just as laid back - and the coffee equally as delicious! The Twin Waterfalls outside the town of Filandia #5 Twin Waterfalls It’s not the most exciting activity in town but there is a set of twin waterfalls far in the jungle a little outside of town. The walk itself takes a little under two hours, depending on your pace. You’ll walk along shaded roads and through pristine farmland, passing all types of flora and colourful birds along the way. The final leg of the hike requires a small fee to a local farmer whose land you must cross to access the falls. As a nice touch, he’s carved a nice, walkable path down the steep hill behind his house. The little effort and bit of cash are more than rewarding. The two waterfalls cascade side by side into a shallow pool that’s perfect for wading. It’s a well-deserved cool down after a hot walk in the sun. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to hitch a ride back into town like we did! #6 Best Restaurant Without question, the best restaurant in town, Helena Adentro, often receives praise with some of the best in the country. It’s unique blend of traditional Colombian ingredients, modern preparation methods, and tapas-style presentation makes this hip spot stand out high above the rest. Just a sampling of what we enjoyed during our visit was pork braised in white wine and mustard with parsley, dill and fresh cheese; and pork ribs slow cooked in rum and soy, on a fried arepa with a spicy red cabbage relish. The prices are very reasonable, and the cocktail list is outstanding! Helena Adentro is a must for any visit to Filandia. #7 Salento Easily the most popular village in the coffee belt of Colombia, Salento has still managed to retain its small-town charm. Although the main purpose of any stop in Salento is to hike the majestic Valle de Cocora, there are plenty of other sights and activities to fill several days in this great mountain village. Also, if you’re not a fan of crowds, visiting during the week is a better option for not only Salento but the other towns as well. They’re quite popular with locals from Bogota and Medellin on the weekends. #8 Hike the Cocora Valley Definitely the biggest tourism draw to not only Salento but the region in general, is to hike the Cocora Valley. With epic views over a sprawling valley, filled with giant palm trees that mingle with evergreens. Nowhere else in the world will you see such a unique sight. The hike itself can be done in several ways, though we’d recommend the full loop that ends at the famous wax palms. It’s possible to do the hike in reverse, which will have you at the stunning trees early on, but the views will be followed by 4-6 hours of hiking. Much more rewarding is pushing through the 12-kilometre hike through the mountains to finish at the towering palms. #9 Drink the Legendary Coffee I could easily go on about the food to be found in Salento, but we’ve already done a post on that. The real star of not only Salento but this entire region of Colombia is some of the worlds best coffee. If you’ve got the time, it’s worth visiting one of the many coffee plantations around town. You’ll get a first-hand look at the coffee process, from berry to cup. Not only is it a fascinating learning experience, but the appreciation you’ll gain for that next cup is unbeatable. Not able to make a tour? Don’t worry. Pop into one of the many cafes around town and sit back to a cup or two of the local brew. There’s a good reason why this is one of the most famous coffee regions on earth. Find Cheap Accommodation in Bogotá Guest Bloggers Kylee and Mark Hayes from USA blog about Food Travel at These Foreign Roads. They are both fully trained chefs and plan to explore and eat everything the world has to offer and share that with the world! Follow them on These Foreign Roads and on Instagram. # 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.

I recently got the chance to finish an african safari in ​Victoria Falls​ and took an extra 2 nights there to have a good look around. For a small place there is certainly lots to do and it would come as no surprise to hear that most features around the ​Victoria Falls​ themselves and the Zambezi River. Guest Blogger: Brodie Deverell, Aussie in Wanderlust 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. Adventurous Activities at Victoria Falls When we first arrived at our accommodation for our last few official nights on safari we were greeted by the very friendly staff at ​Shearwater Explorer Village​. ​They provided us with information and a video on all the different activities available​ to do while we were in Victoria Falls. The list included bungy jumping, cable gliding, bridge swing, whitewater rafting, devil’s pool visit, cruise/dinner on the river, animal safari, rhino conservation visit, Victoria Falls visits and the list goes on. All activities were reasonably priced and you had the chance to sign up as a group or individual for some activities. You also could have a think about things and come back to them later on so were certainly not pushy with sales. I decided to have a go at the ​whitewater rafting​ (which I’ve wrote a separate​ blog​ about, check it out), visit the Falls which was actually included in our safari and compete the cable gliding across the Zambezi River. I thought this was more than enough to keep me busy for a few days. That first afternoon a group of us that had been travelling together decided it was the perfect time to check out the Falls. We got taken down to the entry gate by our guide as he had to purchase the tickets for us, luckily it was literally a 10 minute walk from our ​accommodation​. Once there you could immediately hear the roar from the water gushing over the famous waterfalls. We were visiting in early December and it turns out that this is one of the best times of the year to be able to enjoy the waterfalls and take pictures as the water flow was not at its highest. Other times of the year during and after wet season is almost impossible to take pictures as the mist from the falls is so strong you literally end up soaking wet and can hardly see the waterfalls at all. The low water also ment the waterfall was broken up into a collection of smaller waterfalls rather than one large one. During the wet season it is best to observe the falls from the air via a chartered ​helicopter flight​. I had actually already seen the Falls from the air as when flying to Cape Town to start my safari we made a stopover in Victoria Falls and the pilot was kind enough to do a fly over the Falls for both sides of the plane to enjoy. You don’t often get that with commercial flights these days and I was very pleased indeed. Find Cheap Accommodation in Victoria Falls You can wander along and admire the Falls at your own pace and there are viewing platforms strategically placed along the way so you can take those beautiful photos and selfies to prove that you have ticked off one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. The sheer size of the falls and the amount of water (even in low season) that is falling over continuously is absolutely amazing. It really is a special place and one you need to remember to enjoy and fully take in while visiting. That evening we had a group dinner as a kind of send off to end the tour as some people were leaving the next day. We ate at the accommodation we were staying at ​Shearwater Explorer Village​. The meals were all very tasty and everyone left full and satisfied. We enjoyed a few beers around the bar and shared a few of our highlights and special memories from the previous few weeks. The next morning was the day to tackle the mighty Zambezi River by raft. It did’t sound the smartest thing to do after we had witnessed the day before how much and fast the water was following. Nonetheless we got picked up from our accommodation, had an introduction of what to expect and safety procedures then went to just below the Falls where the rafting began. I’m not going to go into too much detail here about the day but please check out my ​blog​ Zambezi River - White water rafting​ ​to find out more. I will just end by saying it was a great day out. That evening I had dinner at a local Thai restaurant called ​Nam Took​ that had been recommended to us. It was very affordable and the food tasted fresh and full of flavour.   The next day was a chance to sleep in, well as much as possible when sleeping in a tent in the Zimbabwean heat. I then had the cable gliding from one side of the river to the other booked in for 10am. I know this is the softest of the options to complete but my confidence in heights or lack thereof didn’t allow me to consider jumping from a bridge. It was a very calm and easy experience to be honest and nowhere near the frightening experience I was half dreading. As soon as my feet left the safety of land I felt relaxed and was able to enjoy the view while sliding from the Zambezia side of the river to the Zimbabwean side. It was really a cool moment and something I think I’ll remember for a long of time. It gave you a real appreciation of just how high the falls actually are and the sheer drop off of the cliffs on either side of the river. After completing my slide I had the option to purchase some gopro footage of it but I decided it was better to just keep it in the memory bank. I then watched some of the braver men and women jump off the bridge doing the bungy jumping and bridge swing. It looked very cool if I was to be honest but something I just couldn’t bring myself to complete. I then caught the supplied bus back to the accommodation and spent the afternoon enjoying the pool in the 40 degree heat. A really nice way to unwind and reflect on my time in Africa.   That night I caught up with a couple that had completed the trip with me from Cape Town to Victoria Falls. Would you believe they were big asian fans and had heard that ​Nam Took​ was a nice place to dine. We went there again as I told them of the nice meal I had enjoyed the night before. We said our goodbyes and I had my last sleep in the tent I had called home for over 20 nights previously before packing it up for the last time the next morning and heading off to the Zimbabwean airport and therefore ending my time in Africa and Victoria Falls. I can’t wait to return to visit other areas of Africa as I had a great month exploring this beautiful continent. RELATED POST: https://www.aussieinwanderlust.com/tag/victoria-falls/ Guest Blogger Brodie Devevrell from Aussie in Wanderlust; and Australia obviously, travel and works his way through the World - over 35+ countries so far, and counting. Follow Aussie in Wanderlust and do follow Brodie on Instagram. # 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.

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. London has been the backdrop for countless movies and TV shows and is a place that you can truly visualize. So, why is London so popular? Why should you visit? I have put together the top 6 reasons why I think London is a place that shouldn’t dare be passed up. Guest Blogger: Rachel Coston, Queen Wanderlust Travels 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. London should definitely be on your Bucketlist! #1 A Melting Pot of Diversity London is a crazy unique and diverse city that has something to offer for travelers of all ages, backgrounds, races, sex, etc. There is something to see and do for all walks of life in London which I think is pretty awesome. ​ The varied sections of this city offer opportunities for all to kick back and have a great time. A business section with huge skyscrapers boasts well for business-oriented travelers. If you are looking to relax you can enjoy the endless shopping, sightseeing, and restaurants in this incredible city. For those looking to dance the night away, check out the large nightlife scene in London. Concerts, bars, and nightclubs are just a few of the nightlife aspects one can enjoy here. #2 Away with the Public Transit Ever visit a new city and immediately feel confused by their public transportation? ​ I have used public transit in various cities but none of them compare to the train and bus systems in London. The famous red double-decker buses are used for public transit which I didn’t know before. Another popular form of transportation is the underground metro system, overwise known as the “tube.” This is a great way to get around the city! With one-way tickets, daily passes, and oyster cards there are plenty of options on how to use the tube. With the oyster card, you can add as much money to it as you choose at any train station. Last but not least, I can’t leave out the iconic black cabs. Hail one down and let your driver take you directly to your destination. The Iconic Cabs of London! #3 Adventures for days! You are never bored in London! There is always something going on for any kind of traveler. Whether it’s a market, shopping, sightseeing, or events you never know what you might get into while in London. ​ The sightseeing in London is endless. With thousands of years of history behind it, this city will captivate you. Big Ben, Parliament, Tower Bridge, and Westminster Abbey are just a few of the popular sights you can see in London. #4 Unforgettable Views Everyone has seen pictures of London but it is a totally different experience to walk the streets yourself. The cathedrals are incredibly breathtaking and the museums are larger than life. Every turn is filled with the famous red photo booths and street signs. London is a city that looks like it came straight out of a postcard! #5 Budget Friendly One way you can save money while visiting London is to go to any of the museums. Most museums have free admission for all which means history is just at your fingertips. Here are London museums that you can explore for free! British Museum V&A Museum Museum of London Science Museum Natural History Museum National Gallery National Maritime Museum Tate Modern Museum For the sights that aren’t free of charge, don’t fret! They won’t break your wallet. The Tower Bridge was only 7 pounds, ($8.82.) Researching and purchasing tickets ahead of time can also save you some money. Street Art "All you need is Love" #6 Well-known Music Landmarks We all know that London is filled to the rim with history but most people don’t consider the musical history that lies here. It doesn’t matter what genre you listen to, there is music history all over this amazing city. The Beatles recorded the majority of their music in London and even chose Abbey Road for their 11th studio album cover. David Bowie decided to use the streets of London as his cover art as well. His album, the Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, featured Bowie leaning against a building along Heddon Street. Many other music landmarks can be found in London including, Pink Floyd, Oasis, and Bob Dylan. Guest Blogger Rachel Coston always had a strong Wanderlust and started Travel Blog Queen Wanderlust Travels to share the new Destinations and Cultures she discovers during her travels! In her Travel Blog, she shares Travel Inspiration and hopes that you as a reader will be encouraged and boost your own Wanderlust! Visit Queen Wanderlust Travels and follow her on Instagram.

If I have to name one destination that you have to visit right now, it’s Cuba.  Since the United States lifted the embargo, I am sure the country will change rapidly.  So if you want to experience the real Cuba, you have to book your trip now. To discover the entire island, you need at least 2 or 3 weeks. We only had 1 week so here’s an itinerary to discover the highlights. Guest Blogger: Wendy Maes, World Wide Wendy 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. Plaza del Cathedral Havana - Day One Vedado Plaza is the modern part of the city.  It’s not the most attractive part, but it has a few things you have to see: The Malecon: is the promenade along the sea.  It’s best to visit the place in the evening because it’s the place where Cubans gather. Plaza de la Revolucion:  this famous square and many of the surrounding buildings are constructed in 1952 and was called Plaza Civica at that time.  After Fidel Castro’s victory is was renamed as Plaza de la Recolucion.  It’s the cultural and political heart of the country.  In the middle of the square you will find a 109 m high monument in honor of Jose Marti.  You can enter the monument and take a lift to the top.  On the buildings around the square you will see pictures of Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos. Necropolos Colon: a giant cemetry.  With nearly 2 million graves it’s one of the biggest cemeteries in the world.  It’s declared a national monument because of the many sculptures. John Lennon Park: always wanted to sit ona bench with John Lennon?  It’s possible over here. ​ Centro Habana and Prado is the area just outside the old city.   The highlights over here are: ​ Parque Central: this park was created in 1877 and it’s surrounded by beautiful buildings.  Hotel Inglaterra, Palacio del Centro Asturiano, Gran Teatro de la Habana and Hotel Parque Central just to name a few.  Go up to the rooftop terrace of Hotel Parque Central to sip a cocktail and enjoy the amazing view. Capitolio: situated right behind Parque Central. Build and 1929 as a railwaystation.  From 1959 the governement was located here and nowadays it’s home to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment.  Part of the building is open to the public, including the amazing library.   The exterior of the building is inspired by the Capitol in Washington. Best placet o buy cigars: Real Fabrica de Tabacos Partagos (situated right behin the Capitolio). Go for a cocktail to Sloppy Joe, Hemingways favourite bar (situated besides Hotel Parque Central) A perfect way to get around in Havanna Havana - Day Two Habana Vieja is the old town.  It’s on the Unesco Worldheritage list.  They started restoring this beautiful historic center. Visit the following highlights: Bodeguito del Medio: again one of Hemingway’s favourite bars.  It’s close tot he Plaza de la Catedral.  The bar was a grocery store at first (halfway up the street). Plaza de la Catedral is the highlight of Habana Vieja.  It’s supposed to be the most beautiful  cathedral in Latin America. Convento de Santa Clara: a huge 17th century monastery. Convento de Belen: another beautiful monastery.  Restoration works were almost finished in March 2017. Calle Obispo: one of the most famous and characteristic streets of Havana.  Don’t forget to visit the old pharmacy. Plaza de Armas is a cosy square.  Palacio de los Capitanes Generals is worth a visit. Havana - Day Three If you want to escape the city, visit Parque Almendares.  It a little forest in Havana.  In case you prefer the beach, Playas del Este is the placet o be.  It’s a 20 minutes drive outside of town. Drying Tobacco Leaves Vinales - Day Four Vinales is situated in western Cuba and about 2 hours drive from Havana.  There are many places to stay, but it’s also possible to make a daytrip from Havana.  Suggestion: rent a vintage car with driver to take you to the tobacco region. Visit a plantation Enjoy the amazing scenery in Pinar del Rio. Have lunch in the village of Vinales and take a walk through the main street with it’s coloured houses. Explore a cave.  For instance Cueva del India is a good choice.  Don’t forget to taste a glass of freshly squeezed sugar cane juice. Cienfuegos and Santa Clara - Day Five Santa Clara is mostly known for the monument ‘Comandante Ernesteo Che Guevara’.  It’s a huge monument in honour of Che Guevara.  At the back of the monument you can enter the museum and mausoleum. Tren Blindado Monument is just outside the center.  It’s a museum in a couple of train wagons.  Che Guevara and 300 guerillas conquered over 3000 Batista soldiers over here by derailing a train. Between Santa Clara and Trinidad you are in the middle of the Valle de los Ingenios.  This was the sugar region during the 19th century.  The entire valley is on the Unesco World Heritage list.   The village Iznaga, near Sancti Spiritus is a nice place to take a rest.  You can visit the Manava Iznaga plantation over here. El Commendante - The statue of Che Guevara Cienfuegos This port town is situated on one of the most beautiful bays in the Carribean and is calles ‘The Pearl of the South’.    Benny Moré, a famous Cuban singer was from Cienfuegos. Parque Marti: in the middle you will find the ‘zero kilometer’, the center of town.  The parque is surrounded by beautiful buildings Palacio de Valle: Batisto changed in into a casino.  Nowadays it’s a restaurant. Trinidad - Day Six Trinidad is the most charming place in Cuba (according to me).  Cobbled roads, beautiful squares and cure coloured houses. People ride on their horse through the streets. You can imagine how life was a few centurie sago. The entire town is lasted as Unesco World Heritage. Visit the following highlights: Iglesia Y Convento de San Fransisco: Build in 1853 and the symbol of Trinidad.  The convent was destroyed in 1920 and only the tower remains Canchanchara: 18th century bar where they serve the original Canchanchara, the slaves drink. Bodeguita del Medio: Trinidad has it’s own Bodeguita del Medio, inspired by the one in Havana Casa de la Trova: the place where the nationalist secret society ‘La Rosa de Cuba’ met.  Today it’s a restaurant.  You recognize it by the abundance of pink flowers. Parroquial de la Santisima Trinidad: a beautiful charch on Plaza Mayor.  There is an 18th century wooden statue inside. Havana - Day Seven End your holiday on one of the white sandy beaches.  Palm trees, crystal blue water and a rum cocktail (and maybe a cigar, but I don’t want to encourage you to smoke). Find Cheap Accommodation in Havana Guest Blogger Wendy Maes from Belgium run the site World Wide Wendy. Wendy Maes is a traveler addict, foodie and bon vivant. Through her blog you can follow her and her family on all travels. Visit World Wide Wendy and follow her on Instagram. # 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.

“Here’s where you bail off!” The man’s thick Scottish brogue forced me to ask him to repeat the sentence. His intention became evident, though, as he slowed his Volvo to a stop at a fork in the highway. I sat in the passenger seat of his car, still not used to being on the left, and tried unsuccessfully to remember if he’d mentioned his name. Guest Blogger: Mary-Preston Austin, Hillwalking Society 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. 24 days into a hike from the Southern city of Glasgow all the way to Scotland’s northwesternmost point, my trail buddy, Thea, and I were cutting a flooded corner off our little-known route that was originally conceived to help Scots reconnect with their heritage and country: the Scottish National Trail. We had reached the map dot of Killilin the previous day after slogging over a woodsy, impossibly muddy crag and emerging into a harrowing walk along a tight road with minimal visibility. Rather than repeat that less than optimal experience on the A890, we elected to hitchhike from there through Kinlochewe before regaining the trail. The Volvo man supported our hypothesis that people who drive Volvos are more likely to pick up walkers. He gave me an incredulous look when I told him we were headed toward “Kin-lock-ee-wee.” In hindsight, pronouncing the “ewe” part in the same way you would pronounce the name of a female sheep makes sense in a country so heavily populated by the simple minded walking sweaters. In spite of my lack of demonstrated intelligence, the guy was kind enough to take us as far as the fork in the road that headed toward our destination for the evening. Scots are notoriously hospitable, especially to hikers—“hillwalkers.” It’s not a hospitality that can truly be explained without experiencing firsthand how happy everyone seems to be that you’ve chosen today to wander through their corner of existence in the world. Grins, waves, and calls of “Hiya!” welcome walkers to every populated nook of the Highlands, and a national compulsion obligates nearly every person encountered along the way to inform those they pass that it’s lovely weather today (regardless of conditions) and that the view is beautiful. The same hospitality inclines many Highlanders to pick up hitchhikers. It hadn’t even occurred to us to thumb rides before an elderly couple in—you guessed it—a Volvo had grounded to a halt as we panted down a narrow lane, scoffed at our protests that we were wet and dirty, and drove us the rest of the way down the pass into the next town. ​ Unfortunately, this particular stretch of the A832 was less populated than the A890 we’d just left, and it took us an unprecedented 5 miles of walking before a caravan heeded our outstretched thumbs and picked us up. This time our benefactors were an Italian family on holiday, and they spoke little English but were happy to chauffeur us the rest of the way into the wee municipality of Kinlochewe. Upon our arrival, we ducked into the town grocery store, smaller than your average 7/11, to restock the food stores in my backpack. Most crucial were the blocks of cheese for which we made a beeline as soon as we entered. To eat cheese in Northern Scotland is to live an episode of unparalleled flavor, packaged into crumbly little slabs of succulent treasure. Burning so many calories as we were each day, it was of utmost importance that we maintain a supply of quaggy, extra sharp gold. From the shop we meandered to the Kinlochewe Service Station, a spot of some report. Marked as a stop on the famous North Coast 500 road trip through the Highlands, the little two-pump establishment was complete with a snack counter that, according to past travelers, boasted stellar sandwiches. Inside we munched on bacon and egg rolls, pleasantly surprised to discover an internet connection strong enough that we could call home with news of our continued survival. While we sat, a two-seater Morgan 4/4 convertible pulled up to refuel. The gleaming car sported British Racing Green paint and a driver who looked like Santa Clause, had the jolly old elf elected to don a leather flying cap and goggles and drive a convertible through a light rain in the welcoming Highlands. Scottish hospitality extends to their legislation, and an Outdoor Access Code allows for wild camping nearly anywhere, provided no one tries to pitch up in a city center, among someone’s garden, or on any active airport runways. As such, we wandered just past the service station into Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve. The first of its kind in the UK, the Reserve contains some of the last surviving national forest after years of mass clear cutting operations for iron smelting dating back to the 1500s. After a mountain biker making his way around the North Coast shared some fresh raspberries he’d just picked with us, we found a spot to set up camp. Thea, an experienced camper and delightful companion to boot, is completely rubbish when it comes to locating a relatively flat and level spot on which to place a tent. As it turns out, it wasn’t that there hadn’t been flat places for us to sleep in the past several hundred miles of our walk. It wasn’t that the lumpy gravel road just past Bynack Lodge, or the various slopes that had left the two of us tangled on the lower side of the tent by morning, had been the best options. It was just that we hadn’t been sleeping in them. Somehow after more than three weeks of camping with Thea, however, I had not wised to that fact. It wasn’t until two nights later, when we slept at cramped and awkward angles around the small tree in the middle of the tent floor that it occurred to me that perhaps I should take over tent placement. In Kinlochewe, still unenlightened, I started unrolling the tent and told her to find us a spot. We ended up pitching the tent on top of a large mound that was not only quite dome shaped, but also completely surrounded by a low bog. It took some truly fancy footwork to make it into or out of the tent dry. I was skeptical that this was the best possible place in the entire Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve to sleep, but Thea assured me that it was. Gingerly braving the bog, we leapt from the tent back to the path and headed back to the intersection that marked the center of Kinlochewe. Sparse though it was, we had planned for Kinlochewe to host a short rest from walking, so we elected to eat supper out and take a break from the peanutbutter tortillas, fruitcake, and oatmeal that supplied most of our calories. The single hotel in town was far too pricey for our tastes, but near the entrance to the nature reserve was one more restaurant: the Whistle Stop Cafe. Fried green tomatoes were not on the menu. ​ Run by an effusive woman named Lis, the cafe featured a collection of random paraphernalia, from oddly shaped driftwood clocks to intricately hand painted landscapes. The bathroom smelled like perfume, and a little bottle of hand lotion by the sink was the perfect congenial touch for two tired and dirty walkers. ​ The menu was as varied as the decor, and food was prepared fresh by Lis or one of her two kitchen helpers. It smelled positively dreamy. I had the “Connie’s Mistake,” a sandwich loaded with meat and dripping with savory white cheddar, the flavors tied together with a tangy mystery sauce the let each bite melt in my mouth. Thea treated herself to a lemon chicken pitta, which she recalls with gleaming eyes as “citrusy, Italian spiced,” and an “explosion of taste that created an ethereal space within which speech is impossible.” Our trail diets may have left us easy to please, but Lis and crew blew our culinary hopes and dreams out of the water. The blackboard above the counter detailed the daily desserts, and neither of us could resist the advertised homemade Belgian chocolate cheesecake with fruits of the forest. Topped with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream and the syrup of berries picked right out back, the flavor was positively overwhelming. Even with the highly active metabolism of thru-hikers, the Whistle Stop Cafe satisfied us both entirely and, as the little cottage-like establishment began to shut down for the evening, we meandered back to our tent in the bog. What happened next, following an uneventful night’s sleep, is a morning to which we have referred since only as “The Incident.” It wasn’t the first time we’d been exposed to midges, nor would it be the last, but it was the worst. Rural Scotland’s most abhorrent plague, the nearly microscopic, gnat-like creatures attack in the form of a sentient carpet of demonic proportions, bombarding the eyes, noses, and mouths of their hapless victims. They coated the little green backpacking tent like a humming layer of charcoal, pouring in smaller regiments through tiny holes at the seams of the mesh. With nowhere to go, we dove through the door into the swarm, landing with muddy little splashes in the bog. To an outside observer, our flailing and grasping for any article of clothing within reach to cover our faces and heads would have been quite a sight. For the next half hour, we sprinted up and down the path, dashing in to grab and shove our things into some semblance of packing until we couldn’t stand it and had to escape and gulp mouthfuls of air some distance away from out besieged campsite. We didn’t speak, we ran in opposite directions, and we tried to avoid one another, lest our combined presence be more enticing to our assailants. A woman came toward us on the trail, tiny white poodle in tow. She took one look at the carnage—our gear strewn along a half kilometer of the trail, our red eyes and heaving chests—and turned right back around. Thea, the most even-keeled individual I’ve ever met, lost it that morning. A final mad dash through the droning fog to shove the tent, dotted with the bodies of hundreds of midges whose ranks had made nary a dent in the swarm, into my bag, and we ran. Thea and I have seen bears. We’ve dealt with snakes and raccoons. At age 5 I even got attacked by a bird. We are, however, in firm agreement that The Incident was by far the most calamitous wildlife encounter we’ve ever experienced. Feeling sorry for ourselves, we wandered back into the Whistle Stop to drown our frayed nerves in some tasty sustenance. Lis and her staff, sympathetic to our morning melee and careful to keep the door shut behind us, did not disappoint. We were delighted to try the “eggy bread,” which turned out to be a somehow way more delicious version of French toast. Thea treated herself to a huge scone, and I channeled my self pity into another slice of the cheesecake dreams are made of. On our way out to hit the road again, we noticed a sign informing us that Lis would be taking a year off from the restaurant. It was to remain open under different management, but she wanted to travel. We wished her the best. Just under 4 months later, the Whistle Stop Cafe closed permanently, relegating the cheer that it brought me and Thea to a welcoming and mouth watering memory. As we walked out of town, continuing a trek that would see us limping into the lighthouse of Scotland’s northwesternmost point in just 7 days, a Volvo containing a family of French-Scots pulled off ahead of us. “Need a ride?” Find Cheap Accommodation in Glasgow Guest Blogger Mary-Preston Austin from Hillwalking Society started to blog about the Hillwalking Adventures experienced during travels in the Scotland Highlands. Follow her on the road on Hillwalking Society and on Instagram. # 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.

The largest city in Missouri, Kansas City borders Kansas on the western part of the state.  Far beyond its reputation as a destination for barbecue lovers, the city offers a surprising cultural diversity in its museums, music scene, vibrant neighborhoods and performing arts venues.  Its museums in particular cover a fascinating range of historical, artistic and musical genres and are must-see points of interest on any itinerary. Guest Blogger: Tod Hughes, Tasteful Detours 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. Hart Benton Home Art, History and Jazz on display at Kansas City Museums History buffs will want to visit one of several great local museums, including the expansive World War I museum perched on a hillside across from Union Station with great vistas of downtown.  Hear the unforgettable music of jazz greats like Charlie Parker at the American Jazz Museum. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art near Country Club Plaza, which its architects modeled after Seville, Spain, is a world class trove of art. Kansas City’s western heritage is on display at the Arabia Steamboat Museum in the City Market just north of downtown, featuring the full contents of the sunken ship, like a Sears Roebuck store preserved in time from 1856. And learn about Harry Truman’s presidential life and times at the Truman Presidential Library Museum in nearby Independence.  Art lovers will enjoy a tour of the Thomas Hart Benton home and studio to learn more about one of America’s great regionalist painters. Café Sebastienne at the Kemper Museum Top Dining, Barbecue and Beyond Any mention of the Kansas City dining scene has to start with great barbecue, but there is so much more than that.  Talented local chefs have trained elsewhere or overseas, then come home to open a wide array of top quality restaurants in KC. There are many quality choices for succulent barbecue in town, but having sampled all around town, I would recommend these as the top three: Q39 in the Westport area, Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue in the historic freight yard building near Union Station and Joe’s KC, with its original location in a service station. Venture beyond barbecue and you’ll find great choices such as: Chef Rick Mullins innovative cuisine at Café Sebastienne in the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art The Power and Light district has some average fare to be sure, but several chains really do provide great meals, including 801 Chop House for steaks, Bristol for  seafood (tough to get good quality in landlocked KC) and the extensive menu at the Yard House. Top farm-to-table experiences can be found at The Farmhouse near City Market and Blue Stem with its tasting menu in Westport. There are are several opportunities to try Ethiopian food in town, including at Mesob, and at the Blue Nile in the City Market. The Crossroads district provides a wealth of fine dining, including my favorites Novel, Chef Michael Smith’s newest restaurant, Farina, the Reiger (fun to sit at the bar at the back facing the open kitchen) and authentic German entrees at Affare. The historic freight yard building near Union Station provides atmospheric dining beyond Jack Stax with excellent Italian food at Lidia’s and Austrian delights at Grunauer. Jazz in Kansas City Don’t miss Kansas City’s Jazz Joints Choose your Jazz spot day or night in venues all around town.  Crossroads has a pair of winning establishments side by side, the Green Lady Lounge and the Black Dolphin, where you can enjoy music into the wee hours.  Several places pair brunch or dinner with Jazz, such as The Phoenix and The Majestic in the Library District, or Chaz at the Plaza in the Raphael Hotel, also a great place to stay.  My favorite is the Blue Room at the American Jazz Museum, which is in the historic 18th and Vine district, and brings great Jazz and blues acts to the intimate stage while you sip your drinks. Evening Entertainment Kansas City offers many fun options for evening entertainment.  Consider these options: First Fridays celebrate local art studios every first Friday of each month in the Crossroads district, when studios stay open late and many provide wine to encourage browsing and conversation, The beautiful Kauffman Center whose architecture crowns the skyline above Crossroads offers a full schedule of music, opera and plays. If you arrive in summer, baseball at Royals Stadium is a fun place to enjoy the national pastime. Wandering around the Power & Light District takes you last a myriad of bars of restaurants, and there are free outdoor concerts. Or try something simple at trivia nights at the Flying Saucer. Country Club Plaza is another place to stroll, doing some shopping or dining and admiring the architecture.  These buildings are especially magical at Christmas when they are decorated with lights. You’ll find plenty of late afternoon/early evening happy hour spots.  One of the best is at Tom’s Town in Crossroads.  Interesting drinks and snacks plus you can book a tour of their vodka distillery! Amazing museums are reason enough to visit the City of Fountains but round out your days with the plentiful evening entertainment and dining opportunities in the lively Power and Light District, catching a show at the Kauffman Center in the Crossroads area or enjoying some jazz in the historic 18th and Vine district.  Get more information on all on offer at VisitKC.com and start planning your Midwest getaway! Find Cheap Accommodation in Kansas City Don't miss the Titanic Museum when in Missouri Guest Blogger Tod Hughes from USA run Tasteful Detours as a result of his passion for food and travel experiences; exploring local cuisine and cultural experiences, plus the most interesting places to visit with limited time. Check out Tasteful Detours for more sophisticated Food Travel. # 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.

Walled inside Jerusalem lies the heart to the three great monotheistic faiths of Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Here, worshippers have celebrated the foundations of their faith for 3,000 years in the sacred Old City which is home to some of the oldest examples of religious architecture. Guest Blogger: Jasmine Jenkins, Make You Wander 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. Whether you are religious or simply curious, The Old City of Jerusalem is considered  the holiest place on Earth and is guaranteed to intrigue The Walled City The walled city is free to enter and can be accessed by any 1 of the 11 gates. The most common access point being the Jaffa Gate due to its convenience to and from Jerusalem city centre. The Old City is divided into subsections referred to as the Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Armenian Quarters. A fifth section used to exist, the Moroccan Quarter, however, this was destroyed in 1967  to create space for what is now the Western Wall plaza. "A labyrinth of indistinguishable, narrow alleyways weaves the path through the Old City, lined with stalls selling trinkets and treasures" Although small in proximity, the Old City is packed with hundreds of religious sites including churches, mosques, synagogues and an abundance of ancient and historical architecture which has been impressively preserved. When we visited, we wandered around finding our own way, however, the best way to experience the Old City is with a tour guide to navigate the maze of alleyways and provide information along the way as many of these sites are still active places of worship and are not catered towards tourism. Useful city tours include the Jerusalem Day Tour and the Half Day Jerusalem Old City Tour which are available to book via Tourist Israel. ​ For a great overview of the Old City, the Ramparts Walk takes you along the outer walls from either the North or South side and is an excellent tour to get your bearings and see the Old City from a birds-eye perspective. Only accessible on weekends, this walk is a hidden gem from locals and tourists alike. #1 Church of the Holy Sepulchre Entering from the Jaffa Gate brings you directly into the Christian Quarter, which is home to 40 holy sites and at the heart lies the most important shrine in Christianity, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Shrine inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre Dating back to the 4th Century, the church is a special place of pilgrimage for Christians all around the world and many believe that it is here that Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected. Admission: The Church is open to everyone, free and open during set times all year-round. There is no crowd control so early visits are recommended to avoid queues and overcrowding. Find Cheap Accommodation in Jerusalem #2 The Mount of Olives In biblical times, the Mount of Olives was covered with ancient olive trees and the Gardens of Gethsemane which lie at the foot of the hillside are both mentioned heavily in the Bible. ​ In Christianity, here is believed to be the spiritual link between heaven and earth or life and death and is considered the holiest of cemeteries. In terms of geographical interest, this site also links the desert to the fertile hills of Jerusalem. From the top, a panoramic view of the Old City and many religious sites can be seen. ​ Admission: The Mount of Olives and Gardens of Gethsemane are open to everyone, free and open all day, year-round. #3 The Western Wall In the Jewish Quarter stands the remaining remnant of the most important religious site in Judaism, the Western Wall. The Wall is the holiest place where Jews are permitted to pray, though the holiest site in the Jewish faith lies behind it. Also known as the ‘Wailing’ Wall in reference to the practice of Jews weeping at the site over the destruction of the Temples approximately 2,000 years ago beyond the wall which at one time, surrounded the Temple Mount. Formed of 46 layers of stone from different time periods, the remaining section in the Prayer Plaza is rather unimpressive, however, recent excavations have discovered that the layers reach a further estimated 20 metres underground. Tours of these subterranean Western Wall tunnels can be arranged but must be booked prior. Admission: The Western Wall is open to everyone, free and open all day, year-round.​ #4 The Temple Mount Beyond the Western Wall, the Temple Mount is an area which has been a focal point of inter-religious tension for decades and is holy to Jews, Muslims and Christians. The Temple Mount is most commonly recognised for the Dome of the Rock shrine which crowns the hillside. However, it is the sacred stone the Dome is built on which is of religious significance to Jews, Muslims and Christians. The Temple Mount is home to a further 100 different religious structures spanning from various time periods including arches, fountains, prayer spots and sites of biblical reference. Admission: Visiting hours to the Temple Mount are restricted to set times and only accessible to tourists and non-Muslims through the Moroccan ‘Mughrabi’ Gate which is past the Western Wall and accessed via a long wooden walkway. There are also strict security procedures so it is advised to be considerate of your attire, keeping your shoulders, legs and head covered and also not taking in any religious items or souvenirs. #5 Dome of the Rock Sitting atop this elevated plaza stands the oldest surviving Islamic shrine, the Dome of the Rock, otherwise referred to as the Al Aqsa Mosque, which can be seen from all over Jerusalem. ​ This beautifully iconic blue mosaic shrine featuring a gold dome is highly preserved and it is hard to imagine that the original structure dates back to 685-691 AD. ​ Admission: Access to the Dome of the Rock is prohibited to non-Muslims.​ What can we do as responsible travellers? Dress appropriately It is advised that men and women dress modestly, keeping legs, shoulders and heads covered Avoid religious holidays It is advisable to check if there are any upcoming religious holidays which may take place in Jerusalem and avoid visiting during these times as the city may experience political unrest or heightened tensions. Also, public transport, shops and restaurants may be closed for events. Learn local language The native languages of Israel are Hebrew and Arabic, which are both very difficult to translate into English as both have their own alphabets. It is always customary to learn basic gratuities and phrases. Respect times of prayer As these are still places of pilgrimage and worship, we should show respect by keeping noise to a minimum and allowing people space and comfort to pray. Limit photography Some sites request no photography, however, visitors often do not listen. So as not to offend or violate, photography of religious sites and other people should be limited. ​ RELATED POSTS: Click here to visit Make You Wander for more travel guides, adventure videos and inspiring stories Find Cheap Accommodation in Jerusalem Guest Blogger Jasmine Jenkins from Make You Wander from UK is a traveller devoted to travel writing, sustainable and responsible travels. Follow Make You Wander on her Instagram! # 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 are living in the age of innovation and technology, which is making our world smaller and easy to discover. The internet is continuously offering us amazing content from around the globe, inspiring us to visit new places. If you can travel hack around the world, you can see more for less. It’s a great way to start your adventures of travel the world. However, when thinking of traveling the world, a number of questions pop up in our head. Can I afford it? How I can Travel the world with a low budget? To seek answers to these and many other questions, take a closer look at our tips to travel the world on a budget. Guest Blogger: Alex Kroeger, Via Travelers 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 Prefer Cheap Countries If you are on a tight budget, choose your destinations wisely. For this purpose, do some research about the countries that are cheap and affordable. Most of us are aware of the fact that Asian countries are the cheapest. ​ Countries such as Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, China, Bali and Vietnam promise you a good value for your money. Other options include the Central American countries like El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. You can visit these destinations without draining much of your funds. #2 Think about Woofing! Woofing is the best way to secure accommodation by offering your services. In more than 100 countries around the globe, farmers are looking for travelers who are ready to work on their farms. In this way, you can save a lot of money on accommodation. Just join one of the websites, which help you to find these types of jobs throughout the world. Find Cheap Accommodation Online #3 Take advantage of Free Activities While traveling around the world, you come across a lot of free things. The most important thing, however, is to keep an eye on such things. It is essential if you are thinking about the cheapest way to travel the world on a budget. ​ Finding free activities in any country is simple. Just search about such activities via Google. It would be a surprise to know that you can enjoy a variety of amazing things without spending a single dime. ​ Some of these include hiking, watching sunsets at the beach, walking tours, visiting monuments/religious buildings, and parks. Find Local Guides and Tours for Cheap Activities #4 Buy a Van! When you are traveling to destinations like the United States, Australia, Europe, or New Zealand, buying a van is a perfect option. It will give you the freedom to visit any place while meeting your transportation and accommodation needs. Hence, buying a Van is a great choice while traveling the world on a limited budget. #5 Staying with Locals is a Great Option Staying with locals is one of the best ways to travel the world on a tight budget. By opting for this, you save not only money but also get a chance to connect with the locals. Couchsurfing.com is a website, which connects the likeminded people who offer their hospitality to strangers/travelers. Also, ensure you use one of these top booking sites for tours to see more around cities for one all-inclusive price. Guest Blogger Alex Kroeger from Via Travelers is one of these modern travel blogs that are really focused on helping you learn the best travel tips, get the best travel hacks and find itineraries online helping you to explore the world. Visit Via Travelers and Follow on Instagram. # 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.

Nepal is a beautiful country situated between China and India and is home to the world-famous Himalayas. This country has a lot to offer to any kind of traveler, whether you are adrenaline junkie or just looking for a relaxing peaceful vacation. If you are planning a trip to Nepal make sure to try all the delicious dishes and food of this country. Just keep in mind that generally, the food is pretty spicy here. Therefore if you are not used to eating such food, make sure to ask for non-spicy option when making an order. Guest Blogger: Yana Maximova, Aware Impact 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. Nepal is an ethnically and culturally diverse country. Because of this diversity, there is an impressive array of local cuisine. India, Tibet, and China have strongly influenced Nepalese cuisine. Very often people confuse Nepali food with Indian. While they definitely do share some similarities, each cuisine is unique in its own way. ​ It's not an easy task to establish a group of dishes which is distinctly Nepalese. However, some of them are specifically popular across the country.  You should be able to find them in almost any restaurant. Do try the following dishes and food when visiting the culturally diverse Nepal. Dal Bhat is the National Dish of Nepal If we have to choose a National dish of Nepal then Dal Bhat definitely deserves to become one. The basic ingredients are rice (bhat) and lentil soup (dal). Many Nepalese across the country eat dal bhat twice a day. There are many different versions of this meal, but the most popular is dal bhat tarkari which also comes with vegetable curry (tarkari). ​ Sides can include pickles, curried dishes, meat or fish, and yogurt. Very often you can have roti (unleavened bread) instead of rice.  The variations of this dish are countless. Do try at least one of them in order to get an authentic taste of Nepalese cuisine. Momo Momo is Nepal’s version of dumplings and usually filled with vegetables or meat (chicken, pork, buff). On the side, you get one or two sauces for dipping, some of which can be quite spicy and often contain raw chili and garlic.  In some places, you can find pretty interesting variations of momo, with cheese, paneer or potato filling. ​ There are several ways to cook momos. It can be steamed, fried or come in a soup. Be aware of "C"-momo, which is fried momos in a very spicy soup. It's one of my favorites, though I cry every time I eat it. ​ Momo is a very popular dish in almost every corner of Nepal. It is a must-try food item of Nepalese cuisine once you are here. Thukpa Thukpa is a hot noodle soup with vegetables or meat. This dish is popular in Kathmandu and other mountainous regions of Nepal. Best to eat it during the colder months as it's a very warming and comforting dish. Thukpa means ‘noodle’ in Tibetan. This dish takes influence from both Tibet and China. ​ Thukpa is particularly popular across Nepal and Tibet but the Nepalese version is sometimes spicier. This makes it more popular than its Tibetan counterpart. ​ Personally, I really prefer thukpa in the villages to the one in the cities. I guess this is because in the villages you mostly get homemade food, which is always delicious, as Nepalese are incredible cooks. Food cooked with love tastes better. Newari Cuisine Nepal has many indigenous groups and the Newari are the people local to the Kathmandu valley. Their cuisine is famous for over 200 dishes. Newari people prepare different kinds of food for different occasions, considering the climate and nutritional needs of the body. Newars are renowned for their lavish feasting. Dishes served during festivals always have a symbolic significance. Some of the most popular and delicious dishes are aloo tama, samay baji and chatamari. ​ Aloo Tama is a curry soup which is a must-try.  Aloo means “Potato” and Tama means the “Bamboo Shoots”. It possesses the unique type of sour taste and can be quite spicy. Very often beans and buff meat gives the extra taste to it. This curry is very famous. You can taste the best Aloo Tama in Newari restaurants. ​ Chatamari is a rice crepe topped with minced meat, egg and seasoned with vegetables. Nepalese eat it as a snack and it has become popular among other cultures, too. Many restaurants in Kathmandu serve chatamari as an appetizer. There are small eateries that serve this dish as the main item on their menu. Frequently foreigners refer to chatamari as Newari Pizza. Samay Baji is mostly served during auspicious occasion, in family get-together and Newari Festivals. But nowadays you can find it in every restaurant that serves Newari food. It consists of many items on a single plate. Among them are beaten rice, bara, meat, fried or boiled egg, black soybeans, spicy potato salad, boiled beans mixed with spices, cooked spinach. Best to have samay bajo with the local alcoholic drink Chang (millet or rice wine). Its sour taste helps to cool down the heat in your mouth from the spiciness of the food. Samay baji and chang is my favourite combination. ​ I do believe that you should try local food in order to understand the culture of the country you visit. The food and dishes of Nepal are as rich in flavor and options as their culture. It may take time to get used to the spices, but after that, you'll fall in love with Nepali food. Find Cheap Accommodation in Kathmandu Guest Blogger Yana Maximova show her readers how sustainable and responsible travelling isn't only the travelling part but also teaching them to be living a more responsible life; using less plastic, to respect and love Nature, Wildlife and Local Communities. Follow Aware Impact and visit her Instagram! # ​ 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.

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, an 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! Guest Blogger: Natalie Kafader Nealan, Nattie 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. Dubrovnik in Croatia - A Hipster's Guide To be clear, Dubrovnik is way more than just the old town. There is a thriving modern city outside of those walls. But this guide will be focused on the old town and surrounding area. I’d love to go back at some point to get to know the rest of the city, I know there is so much more to it. Eat & Drink in Dubrovnik Eating and drinking are definitely some of my favorite things to do, and like the hipster I am you know I sought out as much local and craft beer as I could. As for food, the rule I generally follow is always get off the main drag . Restaurants on the main road or square are generally going to be over priced and touristy. We found quite a few little hole in the wall places on the outer edges of town usually up the skinny stair streets. But without further adieu here are my hipster favorites! Glam Cafe: This little cafe has one of the best selections of local and craft beers. It’s a fun a casual spot to hang out, the indoor part is quite small but there is outdoor seating which I always think is preferable in the summertime. They had some of the best and most interesting beers I’ve ever tried like the “John Lemon” and the “Milkshake”. Beer Factory Dubrovnik: If you are looking for good beer and entertainment, the Beer Factory is it. They have an extensive selection of beers from both Croatia and all around Europe, a pretty back garden, and live music at night. What more could you want? Gastro Shop Pomalo: This little beer shop is the place to grab a couple of drinks to go. They have a great selection of local beers and wines as well as specialty food items like hot sauce and ice cream! One evening we picked out a few of our favorite local beers and enjoyed them on the stairs of the little alleyway. D’Vino: If you are more of a wine person, the first thing you should know is that Croatia has amazing wines, and D’Vino is the perfect place to try them. Located right across from Glam Cafe, D’Vino has a wonderful selection of wines from all over Croatia and tastings start at just 55 KN, or around $8. The space is quite small so making a reservation is a good idea, we did so by just walking by and putting our name in for later that afternoon. Love it? Pin it! Thanks! Presa:Ok, so this spot is nothing fancy or hipster I guess, but if you are craving a burger and fries this is the place to go. And let’s be honest after all that local beer a little grease tastes so good! ​ Sushi & Oysters Bar Bota When you are looking for something a little different or you just crave sushi (Hey! It happens!) Bar Bota is an excellent choice. Rob loves oysters so he was stoked on getting to try some local Mediterranean varieties. What to do in Dubrovnik Like any big tourist destination there are countless city tours and things to see, but if you’ve been following me for any time you’ll know that that isn’t our typical style, we’re more the wandering type. But that being said I am down for tours that offer something unique or different. And seeing as how I do love Game of Thrones and am a huge film and tv nerd, getting to see all the filming places seemed like a must. ​ RELATED POST: Dubrovnik activities for any weather (from 2 Travel Dads) #1 Game of Thrones Tour I have to admit that this was one of the coolest walking tours I’ve ever done. Our guide was super knowledgeable about the history of her city, the show, and all the filming aspects. Her other gig was being an extra and a stand in for the show so she shared her own experiences as well as all the good fun facts. I’d highly recommend the Dubrovnik Walking Tours – Game of Thrones Walk. It was also great to do this walk at the beginning of our stay so we had a good bearing on where things were around the city. ​ #2 Walk the City Walls Get your steps in and get awesome views of the city by walking the city walls. The old city is completely enclosed by a walls like a fortress and you walk the paths along the top. There are great views and photo opportunities from up there and you don’t need a tour or anything to do it. You do have to pay an entry fee as it is a Unesco World Heritage site and the price increased this year (2019) to 200 KN or about $30. #3 Kayaking So we didn’t actually get a chance to go kayaking, darn those time constraints! But it looks awesome! What an awesome way to get a little exercise, get out on the water and see things that you wouldn’t from the mainland. We watched plenty of people paddling out to the islands just off the coast and it looked like so much fun! Adventure Dubrovnik does both sea kayaking rentals and tours that look awesome! #4 Best Photo Spots Dubrovnik is one of the most photogenic cities I’ve been to, you’ll be hard pressed to take a bad shot or get an ugly background there. I’ve always found that when scouting locations for photos just wandering around is the best way to go. But if you are looking for some of the most iconic shots you can beeline for these places, because let’s be honest we all want an awesome Instagram shot. Find Cheap Accommodation in Dubrovnik Guest Blogger Nathalie Kafader Nealan is from USA and Travel Blog on Nattie on the Road is travelling with her husband Rob and is a real outdoor enthusiast and self proclaimed Hipster! Follow her on Nattie on the Road and on Instagram. ​ # 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.

Spoons went to Tuscany, or Toscana as the Italians says, with his work and had a great time re-experiencing the Tuscan Landscape, Tuscany Cuisine, and Super Tuscan Wine! These are the Top Travel Tips on what to do when visiting Tuscany, Italy! 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 remain a free resource for travelers to explore our world together. Table of Content: "Top Travel Tips to Tuscany in Italy" Tuscany Travel Tips Spend Time by the Mediterranean Sea Visit a Vineyard for a Wine Tour with Winery Tasting Enjoy the Tuscan Cuisine Take an Italian Historical and Architectural Tour Baglioni Resort Cala del Porto, Punta Ala Tuscany Travel Tips One of the most popular Italian destinations is without doubt Tuscany! If your travel planning for an Italian vacation in the near future, Tuscany should be on your Bucketlist! Tuscany, Italy is perfect to travel if you love food travel, and historical sights combined with Mediterranean beaches and the wonderful Tuscan landscape. And you sure might have found a Tuscany Travel Guide with Travel Tips for Tuscany already. However, this is my personal travel guide from a three-day itinerary with travel tips for Italy and exclusively Tuscan Destinations. Hope you'll find new Italian Travel Inspiration and helpful Tuscany Travel Tips below! Spend Time by the Mediterranean Sea When thinking about Tuscany we usually imagine green fields, cypresses, and olive trees spread out with typical farmhouses and vineyards in rolling, hilly terrain. It's easy to forget that the Mediterranean Sea and the Mediterranean Coast always is near Toscana. You really should enjoy the Mediterranean region of Tuscany while visiting Italy. The best time to visit Tuscany is in September I would say, and I'm not saying that just because that was the time for my visit. This time of the year the Mediterranean climate is wonderful; still warm and sunny. Merlot Grape picking at Ornellaia Vineyard Visit a Vineyard for a Wine Tour with Winery Tasting Another Travel Tip is to visit a Vineyard and Winery. Tuscany is a great wine region and especially Bolgheri; world-famous for its Bordeaux-styled wine also known as Super Tuscans. Take a Wine Tour and Winery Tour to experience winemaking up. September is also the best time of year to visit a vineyard in Italy. I was visiting the Ornellaia Wine Estate and Vineyards in September when the vineyard vines rows were full of small groups picking Merlot Grapes. With Grape Harvest in full swing, this vineyard tour became a very special one. I had a fantastic winery tasting at Ornellaia and Masseto Winery with some Super Tuscan Wine of the highest quality. I can recommend Ornellaia if you're looking for a Wine Tour Tuscany event. Ornellaia is one of the best vineyards and wineries you can find in Toscana and the Vineyard Tour was professional and interesting. Vineyard Wine Tasting at Ornellaia and Masseto Winery The Wine Tour of this Tuscany Winery gave me an appetite for more visits to Vineyards in the future! Wine Travel and Food Travel will be our new thing with Sticks & Spoons! Ornellaia Masseto Winery outside Bolgheri in Tuscany, Italy If you want to know more about Super Tuscan Wine and Ornellaia Winery, I have made a long article in the Food Travel section at our site Sticks & Spoons called Super Tuscan Wine at Ornellaia. Check it out and do feel free to share the article with your wine-loving friends! Enjoy the Tuscan Cuisine Italian Tuscan Cuisine is synonymous with healthy Mediterranean food! Tuscan Cuisine is known for Mediterranean dishes like charcuterie, cheese, olive oil, seasonal farmers' produce, and grilled braised meat - all essential in a Mediterranean Cuisine and a Mediterranean Diet. If you like Food Travel you will love Tuscany and Tuscan Food! Farmer's seasonal produce combined with the authentic, earthy local Tuscan Cuisine goes extremely well with their Tuscan Wine too, so prepare for a Tuscan Feast when visiting Toscana. "Fallen Angel" in Pisa, Tuscany Take an Italian Historical and Architectural Tour Tuscany is also considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance so you have loads of historical, architectural, and famous top sights to see in Tuscany. Some of the must-see sights Tuscany has to offer is The Leaning Tower in Pisa, the world-famous Renaissance statue of David, Pitti Palace, Galleria dell'Accademia, Palazzo Vecchio, and much, much more Tuscany sights to see touring this part of Italy. Tuscany's Best Towns to visit for filling your Historical and Cultural need is Pisa and Florence but you also can find a lot of museums, art galleries, small picturesque villages, iconic architecture, Etruscan sites, and other top sights in Tuscany for sightseeing! Aerial View of Pisa, Tuscany in Italy Hope you enjoyed these Travel Tips when traveling planning what to do, what to see and what to eat in Tuscany. When visiting Italy, be sure to include one or all of the top Tuscany travel tips! Jane and Fredrik Goldhahn are Food Travel Writers blogging on Sticks & Spoons Food Travel; two devoted Foodies and a Travel Couple from Sweden, travel for food. Recently joined by their daughter in their mission to Travel to every new Destination to Explore Food. Visit Sticks & Spoons Profile on Food and Travel Guides and for more visit Sticks & Spoons Food and Travel! #topsightsintuscany #bestsightstuscany #mustseesightstuscany #tuscanytravel #tuscanytravelguide #tuscanyitaly #traveltipsfortuscany #tuscanytraveltips #traveltipsforitaly #traveltips #popularitaliandestinations #tuscandestinations #winetour #winerytour #winetourtuscany #winerytasting #visitavineyard #besttimeofyeartovisitavineyard #vineyardvines #vineyard #vineyardtour #vineyardandwinery #vineyardwinetasting #italiantravel #italy #mediterrenean #traveltoitaly

My solo travel in The Philippines started 2 years ago. It started with me quitting a daytime job that paid well but was too stressful for me to even stay for more than 1 year. During that time, I felt unaccomplished and a complete failure. I felt that my life had no purpose. I was lost. I wanted to find another job but the fear to try again and fall at the same pit of frustration and discontentment with my previous job. I remember browsing the web searching for jobs up until a generic notification from a local airline in the Philippines popped up in my email with the subject: Seat Sale! I clicked the site and just randomly chose a destination hoping to find cheap flights. I was about to be jobless thus I needed to find the cheapest flight I can find. First destination, nah too expensive. Second attempt, still too pricey. Third attempt, bingo! It was a round trip fare worth 23 USD. Destination Boracay Islands, Philippines. Guest Blogger: Erik Requina, Erik the Hungry Traveller 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. My 1st Solo Travel in The Philippines: My Most Fun Travel Buying the ticket was spontaneous. There was no hesitation and the drive to head to the island alone was high. I was ready for an adventure! ​ August 4, 2016 that was the date when I did my Solo Travel in Boracay Philippines . I booked the hotel online. That was the only preparation that I did. No itineraries, no plans, no expectations. ​ I stayed in the island for 2 days. I arrived around 4 pm the sun was about to set on the island. After settling in my room I went out and walked towards the beach. ​ There was a crowd at the beach but I did not care about any of them. I just enjoyed the white wet sand and the splashing of salt water on my feet.  Then the most magical event happened. Sunset. Sunsets and Sunrises in the island are magical. The crowd was not a distraction to the beauty of the setting of the sun in fact it added to the sureality of the image. I did not notice that there was a grin on my face while the sun set and the bright moon consumed the island of Boracay. Find Cheap Accommodation in Boracay At night, Boracay is a party hub. Getting to know people was a tad challenging for me. But for the 2 nights I partied at the island. I met the most wonderful and fun loving people in the island. A blissful experience indeed. The 2 days felt like a breeze. I wanted to stay but reality beckoned me to return. Heading to the island I had no idea what to do with my life. Returning back to reality, I had a new perspective in life. I need to do solo travel again. But first I need to find a job. 2nd Solo Travel in The Philippines: My Most Adventure Driven Trip I needed a job to support my solo travels. However, for my second swing at solo travels I was still jobless. Legazpi City,  located northern part of the Philippines. The home of the famous volcano: Mt Mayon, Solo Travel on Mount Mayon! As you can see above, this active volcano is a perfect cone shaped volcano. Mayon Volcano erupted multiple times, the most recent was a few months ago. Despite it spewing lava and ash, it still remained perfect. This travel is by far my most adventure and unforgettable solo destination. There are numerous tourist destinations that you can visit in the area aside from Mayon Volcano. Find Cheap Accommodation in Legazpi City The food , oh do not get me started on the food! Legazpi delicacies and signature dishes are just sumptuous! The highlight of my trip was my ATV ride to the foot of Mayon Volcano. Throughout my 4 hour ATV ride Mayon Volcano was visible. The guide told me I was fortunate enough to witness Mayon the whole day as the volcano shied away from the tourists for a few days now. 3rd Solo Travel in The Philippines: My Most Awe Inspiring Travel 3rd times the charm. I was an official solo travel addict! Mind you the gap between my 1st travel and my 3rd is 6 months. I love the thrill and unexpected adventures when doing solo travel in the Philippines. The experience of meeting new people, immersing in the culture of the place and appreciating the beauty of the natural wonders that the place has to offer; My 3rd solo trip was in Puerto Princesa Palawan.  ​ The Subterranean rivers of Palawan is the longest natural underground river in the world. Inside the cave is a long river cruise in the dark full of rock formations and bats. The Underground river is a UNESCO Wonder of the Modern World. In fact it even bagged the top spot. 7 Must Know Facts for Underground River Visitors Aside from the Underground river. Puerto Princesa offers other tourist destination. From beaches, to sanctuaries even a crocodile farm. There was never a dull moment all throughout my 3 days and 2 nights stay on the beautiful and eco friendly island of Puerto Princessa Palawan. Must See Tourist Spots in Puerto Princessa! Find Cheap Accommodation in Puerto Princessa My 4th Solo Travel in the Philippines: My Go to Destination For my 4th travel I decided to head out to a place that was familiar to me. Come to think of it this place was my first ever solo travel. I just did not blog about it. Dumaguete city or coined as the City of Gentle people. Aside from it is just close to my hometown, I also love the vibe of this small city. I can describe this city as the love child of urban and rural civilization. It has the romantic vibe of a somber town yet comes alive at night with light and music. ​ This is the reason why I keep on coming back to Dumaguete city. Find Cheap Accommodation in Dumaguete City ​ An advantage about traveling to this part of town is you can explore other neighboring towns if you’re up for some nature trekking. The smoking mountains of Valencia as well as their Red Rock Waterfalls. If hiking and kayaking is your cup of tea then visit the twin lakes lagoon in Sibulan. In short, there will never be a dull moment when you visit Dumaguete City, Philippines. Weekend Solo Travel in Dumaguete! My Pit Stop Solo Travel in the Philippines: My Recent Travel Blunder I visited Southern Leyte a month ago. I wanted to create a different experience to write about thus I became totally spontaneous with this travel. It was like just throwing a dart at a map and heading to the place where the dart hit. I had no itinerary, no hotel reservations. Just me, myself and I. Because of that this was the solo trip that I spent more, walked more and stressed out more. Despite the blunders along the way at the end of the day it all went well. ​ Southern Leyte is by far the most rural place I visited. This is the city that tries to compete with larger cities but we all know that its heart is as rural as it can get. ​ Do not get me wrong. I love the place. I love the rustic vibe of the city. How everywhere you go there are trees. The beaches are simple and serene. Find Cheap Accommodation in Maasin City How you stay in family owned hotels. Not the fancy ones but the ones that has a heart. ​ Yes I made blunders for this adventure but ill gladly take all of it just to experience Southern Leyte over again. Southern Leyte Travel Guide! Maasin City Solo Travel Tourist Spots and Food Tripping! ​ It’s been 2 years doing solo travels. Before starting on this great adventure I had no direction with my life. I defined myself with a single role. Truly there is more to life than working a 9 to 5 job and paying the bills. ​ I hope I inspired you to book that flight to the Philippines and visit any of the 7107 islands the country has to offer……P.S- Got a full time job now (wink, wink) Guest Blogger Erik Requina from Erik the Hungry Traveller is a devoted travel writer and solo travel enthusiast from Philippines. Follow him on Erik the Hungry Traveller or on Instagram! # 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.