A Step Into Our Own Backyard

I have decided to take a break from Europe and do a little post on some interesting places to visit in The United States. Many people look to the outisde countries for adventure and intrigue but the thing is that can be found closer than we think. I discovered this when I was reading a newspaper, which happen to publish great travel sections. The Chicago Tribune and New York Times I have found to have some of the best.

I found this featured in the RedEye

Like camping?

-Go to Indiana Dunes, Ind. they have a Dunewood Campground. There is 15 miles of beach and sand dunes that are more than 125 miles high. There is also an old-fashioned drive-in theater. It costs campers around fifteen dollars a night on average.

Island getaways in America.....say what?

-Little Palm Island, Florida

Described to be very much like the Carribbean.... here is the catch, it's a private island resort accessible only by seaplane or boat. Some of the attractions.....swinging on a hammocks strung between the numerous palm trees, snorkeling in a coral reef, relaxing in a bungalow with a neighboring zen garden, and stumbling out the back door and into the water.

- Isle Au Haut, Maine

Do you like the eastern coast, and cute harbor towns.. the epitome of coastal living. The only way to reach this slice of coastal bliss is by a 45 minute mail boat from Stonington, Maine. It features many of the attractions of a coastol retreat including endless supplies of fresh seafood, pretty much directly from the cold waters onto your plate. This island is truly a place to go to enjoy beautiful views, beautiful boats, and fresh seafood. For any fisherman or fish at heart. If you like this location I would also recommend Smith Island, Maryland which also boasts similar experiences.

-Isle Royale, Michigan

This location is perfect for the adventure-seeker. There are many bays for kayaking or canoeing through sometimes choppy waters. There is also plenty of trails for hiking as well as a few places for climbing and making your way through trees and surrounding nature to get to a beautiful landscape view on higher ground. You have the choice between a seaplane or ferry to get to experience this adventure.

-Sapelo Island, Georgia

Are you looking to travel back in time to a simpler time of living off the land and spending time with friends outside? This island has a population of only 50 people. It has a hunting reserve, a single bed and breakfast called The Wallow, a county store that also transforms to a village pub at night (efficient haha), and a restaurant that boasts the best low country gumbo you'll ever find.

-Kodiak Island, Alaska

Nicknamed "emerald isle" which blends Russian history with abundant fishing culture and untouched wilderness including bears. Main activities include sports fishing and wildlife observation.

How To Be The "Proper" Tourist

The etiquette of being a proper tourist is surprisingly a widely studied topic. People from the United States usually come across a certain way when they visit other countries. We are seen as rude, obnoxious, and arrogant, even though in very many cases this is not true.....it is just another stereotype. Americans could also be scrutinized for their behavior more than any other tourist is because we seemingly travel more to other countries. On the contrary according to a recent Yahoo news article...they stated that the french are actually the worst in the world (surprise, surprise), they come across as arrogant and tight-fisted. On the other hand, the Japanese, British, and German are among the top-rated tourists.

Now, what separates the best from the worst?........why my dear Watson, simply proper etiquette, of course

Here are just a few tips on how to be a great traveler...yes, I said traveler and not tourist because when you master how to become a great traveler you learn how to be a great tourist, and there is a key difference between the two.

~*1*~ Be informed, learn everything you can through guidebooks, internet searches, etc.......here are the basics you should know: basic geography, local currency, language (know some basic terms), customs especially the unique ones. And do not say you have no time to learn anything beforehand because you always have the lovely, exciting (sarcasm) plane ride ;).

~*2*~DON'T STARE AT FOREIGNERS, even if they are participating in a unique/unusual custom, yea I know that's easier said then done, but that's sure to get you a bad tourist title right off the bat. Also, put an effort in learning at least some basics of the language, natives really appreciate effort.

~*3*~Really immerse yourself in the different cultures. The best ways to do this is become one of the locals, almost like blending in. Instead of staying at a big chain hotel, why not stay at a quaint local hotel/inn. Talk to some locals (if you can) get their view of the country, city, area, ask them what they think is the best thing to see, they will most likely be more than happy to suggest something. Oh yea, and check out a McDonalds if they have one..surprisingly every countries burgers have slight or major differences and it's really fun to compare and contrast.

The best example of horrible tourists that I can think of is the family in National Lampoon's European vacation..if you have not seen it be sure to at least watch the trailer on youtube. If you behave like this I highly recommend psychiatric help.

***No copyright infringement intended, I do not claim the rights to anything in this blog entry or any others***

Portugal: Visits always give pleasure if not the arrival, the departure~Portuguese Proverb

I thought Portugal would be a good place to visit since it is conveniently located next to Spain......so just hop the train and visit Portugal.







cute house owned by an elderly with a scary knife in portugal

A Brief Look into Portugal's Past

a 17th century aqueduto de pegoes used to carry water to convento de christo

• AD 1179 under Muslim rule


• 1272 Alfonso III removes all Muslim communities


• 1297 King Dinis signs treaty with Ferdinand IV that defines borders between Spain and Portugal
• 1415 Portugal conquers cities of northern Africa starting African exploration and invasion


• 1580-1640 The Habsburg Dynasty~Spanish Rule~
• 1580 Philip II of Spain becomes Philip I of Portugal and Portugal is under Spanish rule
• 1640 Duke of Barganza becomes king and ends Spanish rule


• 1807 Portugal becomes the Kingdom of Portugal and still owns Brazil and Algarve
• 1822 Brazil declares independence


• 1926 Fascist leaders come into Portugal
• 1974 Carnation Revolution ends Fascist regime

Most popular/visited cities: Lisbon, Porto, Algarve, Sintra, Evora, Barga, Coimbra, and Fatima (there are many more....ay).

houses on a coast in portugal

alfama district houses

Most visited City: LISBON

Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and the biggest city in Portugal. Lisbon is a very hilly area since it is located across the hillsides of RioTejo. Lisbon offers all the things any main attraction and busy city would: museums, history in old buildings likegothic cathedrals. However, they also have a touch of portugal like old quarters of the city with narrow lanes, tiny patio restaurants with fadisitas (traditional Portuguese singers) singing in the background. Many people that visit Lisbon like to visit Cascais a seaside town within Lisbon. It is filled with beautiful beaches and a carefree atmosphere with its numerous cafes and shops. They even have many fishing ports for the avid fisher because Cascais used to be a fishing village before the royal court came in 1870 and transformed it.

Looking for nightlife....go to Lisbon, Porto, and Albuferia..

You want a bit of country air and rolling hills...visit Viana do Castelo, Chaves, Miranda do Douro, Douro Valley, Lamego, Tomar, Leiria, Castelo Branco, Guarda, Portalegre, Évora, Elvas or Viseu.

beach at cascais

Portugal even has places where wildlife is preserved and the areas are kept in there natural state since the beginning of time......if you want to be one with nature.....visit the Madeira and Azores Islands.

calderia crater with cloud inside

*~Interesting side fact~* I found this mentioned in wikitravel---If you arrive in Lisbon International Airport don't use a taxi (unless you speak Portuguese and know the layout of the city) because you will be ripped off.....try the public bus if possible.

~other fact~ tipping at restaurants is optional yay =) if you liked the service tip 10% otherwise not necessary because waiters are considered professionals and tips are seen as notes of appreciation only, but taxi drivers on the other hand should be tipped 10% any less will be considered offensive.

FOOD~ the most important part of any trip ;)

Soup is the usually an important first course of a Portuguese meal

Bacalhau~dried codfish~ can be seen everywhere since the natives have many ways of cooking the fish and consider it a very important staple.

Portugal is similar to Spain in that they focus a lot on seafood and many main dishes contain a sea creature hehe.

If you walk by restaurants you will most likely see grills with chunks of smoked and grilled meat.......try the grilled chicken marinated in chili, garlic, and olive oil.....you won't regret it unless of course your vegetarian.

~side note about safety~ driving is very reckless in Portugal as it is in most of Europe, so be careful as well as avoid renting a car.

tower of belem

In summary:

Go horseback riding along the beach, learn to fish from a local, go to one of the many markets, listen to Fado music or any Portuguese music since the language and music is exquisite, go to Historic Centre of Oporto for a taste of history, beautiful views from Duoro River, many monuments, and medieval and modern architecture, feel the spiritual history in the convent of Christ in Tomar beautiful historic buildings a 75minute trip from Lisbon you are free to explore by yourself and really become in touch with the history and holy spiritual feel that seems to pervade even in the air....true fans of Fado visit Casa do Fado e da Guitarra Portuguesa in Alfama your one stop museum for Fado history and a never ending collection of purchasable Fado cds.

Typical Portuguese street signs.

P.S. I added a music player with songs from different countries, for a bit of cultural flair......anyone who knows a good song please let me know =)

All pictures from lonely planet~

SPAIN: “In Spain, the dead are more alive than the dead of any other country in the world.”-Frederico Lorca

I will start out this travel journal/blog with places in Europe. Spain is one of the top tourist destinations in Europe and the world. What I like most about it, is that it has many hidden treasures not to mention an abundance of culture and something for everyone, like most of Europe.

Spain is located in Southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the South and east, and to the west by the Atlantic ocean and Portugal. The Spanish territory includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean off the African coast.

Brief History: The Iberian Peninsula became a region of the Roman Empire known as Hispania. During the early Middle Ages it came under Germanic rule. Later it was taken over by Muslim invaders (which explains a lot of the Muslim and Arab influence in much of the Spanish culture to this day). Then, the Christian kingdoms in the north gradually subsided Muslim rule, finally ending its last rule in Granada in 1492, the same year. Spain became the strongest kingdom in Europe and the leading world power during the 16th century and first half of the 17th century; but wars and problems eventually led to a diminished status. The French invasion of Spain in the early 19th century led to chaos; which led to independence movements that tore apart most of the empire and left the country politically unstable. In the 20th century it suffered a devastating civil war and came under the rule of an authoritarian government. Democracy was restored in 1978 in the form of a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. In 1986, Spain joined the European Union; experiencing a cultural renaissance and steady economic growth.
-From wikipedia

A Few Places To Visit: Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Costa Blanca, Granada, Seville, San Sebastian, Salmanaca, Toledo.....these are just a few of the places, there are countless more (and if anyone knows any please let me know)!

An elderly couple strolling through the lovely streets of Toledo. Courtesy of Lonely Planet Photographer, Rachel Lewis.

One of the most beautiful things I truly admire about Europe, is the breathtaking architecture, and the best part is that depending what region of Spain you are in you can see different styles. The north of Spain has green hills and plenty of countryside area closely resembling Ireland. The South has many Moroccan landscapes, architecture, Moorish palaces, historic castles (complete with rot and all), Roman Ruins, Gothic and Renaissance cathedrals, and of course some fascinating new modern architecture.

Highlights of Spain: BEACHES! BEACHES! BEACHES! If you go anywhere to enjoy a beautiful day by the waters, Spain is definitely your one way ticket. The waters are pristine and Spain has an abundance of beaches to choose from. However, beware of the nudist beaches because there are plenty of them in Spain, unless you are interested in experiencing something like that.

• La Concha, San Sebastian



• Costa del Sol (party beach woot!)



• Costa Valencia (bordering Valencia, perfect white sands and turquoise waters)



• Costa Brava (stretches from Barcelona to French border, more rockier, hidden coves, not as much sand, home to a villa once occupied by Salvador Dali)



• Costa Verde (the coast is within the ancient province of Asturias filled with Romanesque architecture and medieval pilgrimage sites)



• The Balearic Islands (off the coast of Catalonia and a 45- minute flight from Barcelona, rocky, sandy archipelago, Mediterranean climate)
  

As promised one of the white sand, turquoise beaches straight from Heaven located in Costa Blanca, Spain. Courtesy of Google image search.

Food: Yum! my favorite....The Spanish really know how to enjoy food and enjoy it all day long. Tapas, otherwise known as snacks, are available throughout the day. A lot of traditional Spanish food is based off seafood, many dishes are incorporated with different seafood. In Aguinaga baby eel is a prime delicacy. The beauty of Spain is that depending on the region or city you visit you will experience different foods from another region. Each city prides itself in having a different twist on traditional meals. For example, in the Castille area you will find a great selection of meats and meat dishes. You can take your pick from roast meats, mainly lamb, beef, veal and suckling pig, but there are also stews, sausages, and country ham. Perhaps one of the most famous and raved about dishes in Spain is Paella (which I must try because I cannot stand watching another cooking show where they make one, without having my mouth water). The dish originates in Valencia, Spain but has spread throughout Spain. It is usually cooked in a "paellera" a round, flat pan. After that it is pretty much up to the cook on what ingredients should be added, usually the main ingredient is either some type of meat or seafood.

Here is a basic recipe of one type of paella:

Plain paella:
• 200 grs of cleaned monkfish cut into slices.• 200 grs peeled prawns.• 200 grs. clams.• 8 king-size prawns.• Fish consommé.• Salt.• Parsil.• 400 grs rice.• 1 onion cut into tiny chunks.• 1 carrot cut into tiny chunks.• 1 green pepper cut into tiny chunks.• 1 tomato cut into tiny chunks.• 2 cloves of garlic cut into tiny chunks.

Fry and stir the sliced vegetables in the paella pan for 5 minutes. When it is well heated, add the fish, the prawns and clams. Heat them well and put in the rice. Stir and add the fish consommé.
Taste for the salt, and when it starts to boil, put the king-size prawns on top, and let boil on low heat for 15 minutes until it is done. (courtesy of spain4uk website).

Before leaving Spain: make sureeeee you immerse yourself in as much Spanish culture as possible. Watch a Flamenco show. eat, eat, eat. Visit a Spanish museum (Museo Nacional del Prado (Popularly called El Prado) (Madrid) contains art work from famous artists like El Greco, Goya, and Rembrandt). Talk to the natives (there is no better the way to get a feel of the culture than talking to the people. Sit at a Spanish cafe and enjoy the day like there is no tomorrow. WATCH a futbollll game!! Bull fight (though I feel bad for the bulls so I am not sure if I am a supporter of this age old Spanish tradition). Look at some face Gaudi architecture in Barcelona.

-There is so much to see and experience in Spain but that would take forever to write in detail but i would love to hear about people's personal experiences. Viva La España!!!

Yum!! Fruit market one of the many in Spain

(Mercat de la Boqueria)

A game of Boules in Barcelona, Spain!

The 100,000-seat Camp Nou Stadium, home to the Futbol Club Barcelona , and a Bullfight at Placa de Braus Monumental, Barcelona, Spain. Also an example of some of Gaudi's very unique architecture.

Hello!

Hello!!

I have always had an obsession with traveling. I do not have the funds to travel as much as I would like, so I fantasize of it and all the places I would like to visit before I die, often. I dream of seeing every inch of the world and learning as much from as many different people as possible. I love seeing new things, places, and walks of life. I am going to use this blog as a way to acquire knowledge about as many places as possible, so when the big money starts rolling in (yea right) I will be prepared to start my journey!