Ultimate Guide to Puerto Penasco Mexico I've always said that Phoenix Arizona was the perfect place to live except for one thing - we do not have a beach! But in a way, we do, as Arizona's Beach is in Puerto Penasco, Mexico, just a few miles down the road, well 212.3 miles that is! We Phoenicians call it Rocky Point (or Arizona's Beach) and
According to the World Tourism Organization, France is considered the world's most popular destination for tourists. It has over 40,000 classified historical monuments, which is more than any other country in Europe! The national motto of the French is "liberty, equality, and fraternity” and you will certainly feel a part of the family among the locals. The French are responsible for numerous inventions such as
Photo by Marco Santos Gorgeous and sunny Lisbon is renowned for its beautifully tiled buildings, sunny weather, incredible food, and not-to-forget the warm and extremely hospitable Portuguese locals who will always welcome you in with a smile. It is this charm and allure that has attracted so many visitors who all instantly fall in love with the city and its personality. But, if
Savannah is by far one of my favorite cities in the USA. With just one visit, I fell madly in love with the romantic side of Savannah. It was love at first sight. At visit number two, I was hooked and couldn’t wait to return. For some reason, I just vibed with the city. It is hard to explain. But by my third visit, I
The Hermitage's Treasures in St Petersburg The State Hermitage Museum is full of art and culture in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It is the second-largest art museum in the world containing over 3 million piece of art! And it is a MUST VISIT anytime you find yourself in St. Petersburg, Russia. It was founded by the Empress Catherine the Great in 1764 when she acquired an
Nestled in the northern part of the Caribbean lies the beautiful country of Cuba. Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean and has a population of over 11 million people. Cuba has been inhabited since the 4th century and although many things have changed over the years, some Cuban traditions have remained constant. And one of these is its Cuban appetizers and snacks. Throughout
I've always felt that Japanese drinks should get more attention. The country's cuisine, after all, is among the most celebrated in the world—shouldn't its beverages follow suit? Over the next few paragraphs, I'll highlight some of my go-to drinks in Japan. Although many of these will be familiar to you, others might seem surprising or even strange. Just as many people have limited exposure to Japanese
Antigua Guatemala, the “land of eternal spring” is one of Guatemala's most popular iconic cities. It is culturally rich and filled with Spanish Baroque architecture and decaying colonial cathedrals. It is literally a museum of Spanish Colonial history. The vibe of this city comes to life with its vibrant color palettes and bustling markets and cafes. As I walk the patchwork of concrete, stone, and
The rich Mexican culture has empowered UNESCO to name at least 35 Mexican landmarks as 'World Heritage Sites'. There are 27 cultural sites, 6 natural sites, and 2 mixed sites (geography with the architecture mixed in) according to UNESCO. Scores of ancient civilizations such as the Aztec, Inca, Mayan, Olmec, and Zapotec have contributed to the modern ways of traditional Mexican life. According to archeologists,
There are more things to do in Amarillo Texas than you could have imagined. I should know… I am from the area. But when I went back to Amarillo and experienced a few of the things to do in Amarillo, TX, I was pleasantly surprised! Amarillo is very near to my hometown of Pampa, Texas. Honestly, I loved how much fun I had upon my
The Ultimate Guide to Lederhosen Contrary to popular belief, Oktoberfest celebrates the Bavarian culture, not necessarily that of Germany as a whole. All of the beer consumed at Oktoberfest is exclusively made in Munich, to further celebrate the Bavarian culture. During the early years of this festival, lederhosen outfits were worn, yet no alcohol was served. Which is unlike the tons of beer consumed
✦ Things to do in Guatemala There are many attractions in Guatemala. Guatemala tourism can range from picturesque Lake Atitlan to steaming volcanoes, Mayan ruins, Mayan towns deep in the mountains, as well as world-class marlin fishing and a picture-perfect colonial town known as Antigua. But it is more than that, from jungles to ancient traditions that are still intact from long before the days
I would say, the best time of year to visit Cuba is between December and March. During this time, you can experience pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and avoid the long lines at the Cuban pastry shops! Speaking of pastry shops, have you ever tried a Cuban pastelitos? I hope your answer is yes! But if not then you must rectify this problem as soon as
Sicilians love their healthy and locally-grown foods such as apricots, artichokes, olives, and beans. Some of the most notable savory foods include arancini (rice balls), pecorino cheese, and stuffed eggplant. Yet aside from the yummy savory foods they have, Sicily has some of the most delicious Sicilian desserts in all of Europe. The world-famous cannoli and torta di ricotta (ricotta cake) are indispensable sweets that
From its world-class art museums to its floating flower markets, the city of Amsterdam is reinventing itself from its hedonistic side to now focusing on its rich artistic heritage. Culturally, it’s one of Europe’s most diverse and eclectic destinations. With its fascinating history that spans seven centuries, today it is a charming mix of shopping, museums, coffee houses, restaurants, and flower markets. I put together
Cuba has the largest population in the Caribbean, topping off at over 11 million people. It is well known for many things such as its genre of music and dancing (mostly from its European and African origins), its famous cigars, and the Cuban cocktail of rum, coke, and lemon/lime, known as the Cuba Libre. Cuba’s deep-rooted love for music and dancing is a great
In my mind, all you need for some tasty Cuban dishes is the right seasoning, a good piece of meat, and some rice. As Cuban cuisine is the perfect mix of Spanish, Portuguese, French, Caribbean, African, and Asian cuisines and spices from drifters and settlers who came to Cuba during the early Caribbean slave trade. Today, Cubans tend to mix several fresh local ingredients with
From charming and colorfully painted fishing villages to beehive huts and stunning handmade pottery, the Dingle Peninsula offers a wide variety of things to do while visiting this portion of the Wild Atlantic Way. Dingle, Ireland has been isolated from the influences of the modern world until recently which has resulted in fun local culture and a dialect that is quite different than the rest
Nestled away at the tail end of the Rockies known as the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Santa Fe is a high elevation capital like its Colorado cousin. However, with an elevation of 7,199 feet, Santa Fe is officially the highest city in the United States. Thanks to this, you can expect fair weather year-round and over 300 days of sunshine, making this high desert gem
Seville is the fourth largest city in Spain and is considered the most “Spanish” city in the entire country. When I think of Spain, I almost always think of its famous flamenco dance, the tradition of bullfighting, and how sultry or hot the city feels as the Spanish guitars play late into the night! In fact, I find that Sevillanos are always happy to share
Galapagos Islands Foods and Culinary influences Ecuador is a country with a diversity of climates, regions, and altitudes that makes it an exquisite country with many different types of traditional dishes. Depending on the region where you are, there is a variety of typical doses. And since the islands are owned by Ecuador, the dishes combine the elements of the Ecuadorian highland dishes with
Many people know the Dominican Republic for its luxury resorts and beautiful beaches and hotels, such as the gorgeous Casas del XVI in Santo Domingo. But there is so much more to the Dominican Republic than just its oceans and architectural beauty. In fact, the Dominicans have a rich European history that is a deep mix of both African and the native Taíno Indian influences. Sure, the Dominican Republic has beautiful landscapes
A Christian pilgrimage Lithuania Restores its Old Rugged Cross for a Crown Once I arrived at the Hill of Crosses, I didn’t want to leave. Northern Lithuania's Hill of Crosses' magnetic pull drew me in. Almost overtaking me. I was intrigued and felt guided toward the strength that lies here. For me, I have always been attracted to the dead. Well, maybe I
Inn on the Alameda, Santa Fe NM On a breezy Saturday night in Santa Fe Plaza, a group of revelers in wobbly heels and party hats greet each other with kisses and hugs, ready to hit the town to ring in the New Year. Along with them, they have small flasks of mescal (however the law says... no drinking in public), the
This post has been updated after my recent return from the Galapagos Islands! You can read my complete guide to Galapagos Cruising here. Wide Eyed and Bushy Tailed Back in my early days of writing as a traveler, I loved every second of my new adventures. My eyes were wide and my love for travel grew exponentially. Today, I laugh as I re-read old articles
One of the best-kept secrets in Venice used to be the island of Burano, maybe it is not so secret anymore. But it is definitely worth a visit, even if you just have 2 days in Venice it’s well worth visiting this colorful island! This island is best known for its rainbow-painted houses. Don't worry, once you get there, there is plenty to do
The beautiful countries of Georgia and Armenia are nestled in between the continents of Europe and Asia. And lying on the banks of the Kura River is Georgia's capital city of Tbilisi. This cobblestoned "Old Town" area reflects its complicated history as Georgia has been ruled under different global powers throughout its history. This is because of its location and proximity to the lucrative Silk
Santorini is just one of the Cyclades Islands in Greece that literally has everything I want in an island – hidden and blue-domed churches, stunning sunsets, volcanoes rising out of the Aegean Sea, cave houses you can stay in, and whitewashed stone buildings that dot the landscape. Know that your Santorini holidays will be one you'll remember for a very long time, as I still
When we hear the word New York, our minds automatically think of the “Big Apple” or “New York City”. It is common for many people to forget that New York is actually a large state that has different regions and counties. Upstate NY has a lot of land area, but the population is relatively low compared to other parts of the state. When visiting Upstate
Spring is a lovely reminder of how beautiful change can be. The cold winter weather is finally stripped away and people can finally feel like life's alive in everything. Spring is a great time to take a vacation to Europe and visit wonderful places. There are plenty of festivals to go to and blooming flowers to see that you shouldn't miss out on a European
On my last night in Dubrovnik, I wanted to do something extraordinary for dinner to top off the fantastic vacation I was having with my husband in Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina. He and I vacation together regularly, but honestly, this was the best trip we have taken together in a very long time. Authentic Culinary Experiences I remembered reading a National Geographic article about
Germany is the seventh-largest country in Europe and has a population of 81 million people. It shares borders with 9 European countries and has 16 states, each with their own constitution! Who knew it was that large? I certainly didn’t when I had a chance to visit Germany on my historic Germany tour. But I can say that I learned a lot about Germany on
Buenos Aires - A Comprehensive Guide on What To Do! Buenos Aires is the largest city in Argentina and currently home to more than 40 million people! It is also the capital of Argentina and known as the “Paris of South America!” I can honestly attest to that, as this city is absolutely gorgeous with its European-style buildings and architecture. It is as if you
An important part of any tourist experience visiting a new country for the very first time is the food. Guyana is one place where you can dive deep into the culture when searching for and tasting the local Guyanese food. In fact, in Guyana, the food appears to be a melting pot of age-old cultures, traditions, and flavors - many coming from Africa, Britain, the
The magnificent city of Jaipur is the capital and largest city of Rajasthan, India. Jaipur is known as the “Pink City” due to the terracotta pink that was painted on the buildings. The pink color of the city was done as a makeover in 1876 to celebrate the visit of the Prince of Wales. In Indian culture, the color pink represents hospitality and one way
