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Halloween Plans: London vs. Barcelona
While Halloween is traditionally a celebration of Anglo-Saxon origin, the fact is that more and more cities are joining in. This means that today we can find related activities in both London and Barcelona, for example. If you are going to visit one of these two cities in the coming days and have always thought that Halloween is just a holiday for kids, we recommend you to take a look at these suggestions to celebrate the scariest holiday of the year without resorting to classic “trick or treating.” BARCELONA Halloween is definitely a nocturnal party, so celebrations won’t begin before sundown. When darkness covers the city, it’s time to make your way to the Polaroid Bar, in the Barrio Gótico, to attend the screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a cult musical from the 70s for which shows have become a production themselves, as viewers interact, dress up, sing and dance to songs like Time Warp. To continue the terrifying celebration, it’s best to move on to the Sala Apolo and join the Pumpkin Electronik Barcelona, a continuation of the famous Piknic Electrònic sessions that took place during the summer but with a terrifying new twist: DJs and alternative music under a cloak of mystery and occultism. And for the hardiest souls or early-rising zombies out there, we recommend continuing the celebration in proper fashion during the morning of November 1, All Saints Day, by visiting one of the nine cemeteries hat open their doors for the occasion (Montjuïc, Poblenou , Sant Andreu, Horta, Sant Gervasi , Sarrià , Les Corts, Sants and Collserola). Poblenou stands out among...
The Best Destinations for Divers
Everything seems peaceful underwater. No uncomfortable noises, no fears, and no contamination, or at least not as much as on the surface. It’s like a parallel world exists down there that is as large as or larger than ours, full of life. I invite you to take a tour of the planet´s most spectacular seabed. The Great Barrier Reef (Australia): This is the largest barrier reef close to the coast. Located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, the reef is over 2,500 kilometers long. And despite its age, it’s also the best preserved reef in the world, having been originally discovered by Captain James Cook in 1770. In this magical spot you will cross paths with fish of all types and colors. Now, of course, it’s under protection due to the deterioration of parts of the inner barrier caused by the warming of the oceans and the human factor. So my advice is to check out the outer barrier. There are boats that transport passengers from Cairns daily. Helicopter Island and Apo Island (Philippines): If the Filipino beaches are idyllic, the seabed goes beyond even that, if that’s possible. The coral is smaller than the Australian Barrier Reef but no less beautiful. Helicopter Island is very close to El Nido, on one of the resort islands of the Philippines. You’ll be able to see abundant sea life, including manta rays, barracudas, clownfish and starfish. While on Apo Island (located in the area of Negros Oriental), it’s very easy to see sea turtles; the area there is known as the “turtle sanctuary.” The water is...
Walking Around the Favelas of Rio de Janeiro
The favelas of Rio de Janeiro are located in the heart of the city, between the beaches of Copacabana and the skyscrapers of the financial district. Not all of them are safe, but there are many you can visit without problems. It is estimated that there are about 1,000 favelas in Rio de Janeiro and most of them have been built on a hill or incline. You will be surprised how many people live in such slums. Today, the homes of about 20% of the inhabitants are located in a favela. But this is not new. Even in the eighteenth century, freed African slaves had taken refuge in the hills of Rio, the Wonderful City. We’ll give you a tour of the most attractive for travelers on foot. Santa Marta: Located south of the city, it is made up of a maze of narrow streets. Located in the heart of Botafogo, it is very safe. Since its “pacification” in December 2008, it has been a must. It’s easy to miss, but worth it. With its bohemian atmosphere, Santa Marta is one of my favorites. It has a special appeal, which is due in part to the inhabitants being so very nice. To get there, you can travel to the top by way of a cable car referred to as the inclined plane. It´s better than walking and is a common means of transport, which happens to also be free. Just going up is an experience in itself, and the views from the top are amazing. You’ll view Botafago, Sugar Loaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer, Copacabana Beach, Leblon, and the...
Quirky Animals Around the World
There are spots around our planet where really quirky animals are hiding. Do you fancy diving with sharks? Have you ever seen how the tarsier monkeys act? Did you know that Tasmanian devils are endangered? Ever wondered how the giant tortoises of the Galapagos Islands live? In this post we recommend some fantastic experiences with animals. Diving with unusual animals: We are talking about the whale sharks of the Philippine island of Cebu (which are vegetarian). Since there’s no risk to your life, it’s not necessary to enter a cage in order to dive with these sharks. You just have to go to the Marine Park of Oslob to enjoy this unique experience. They can grow up to 18 meters and we assure you they are very playful. For about 10 euros per person, a fisherman will pick you up from the shore and you bring you out in a small wooden boat. There’s no need to dive, as you will see them with a mask and snorkel. But if you want to dive with hammerheads and black fin sharks, the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador are the place to be. In the Gordon Rocks area (on Santa Cruz Island) you will see them moving quietly from one side to other. They have so many varieties of food below the water that they completely ignore humans. Or at least, nobody has been bitten in the Galapagos to date. North of Santa Cruz Island it’s also easy to spot sea lions and turtles, both above and below the water’s surface. The largest turtles in the world: We couldn’t talk about the...
Enchanted Cities by Night
Whether large or small, classic or modern, rich or poor, the truth is that they all have a common denominator: their beauty shines when the lights are turned on. In this post, I will give some tips about the most attractive cities to visit at night. I’m avoiding clichés like New York, Las Vegas, Paris or Rome, and instead propose a night tour of Sydney (Australia), Hong Kong, Budapest (Hungary) and Cartagena de Indias (Colombia). Sydney, Australia: The views of the bay, with the Opera House in background, the huge iron bridge standing in the harbor and its green paths, make Sydney a very special city. And this is amplified after night falls. That´s when Opera changes from neutral white to a multitude of colors, which can oddly enough be seen from anywhere in the bay. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is also lit up, but a bit more discreetly. At some 1,150 meters long and 500 high, it’s very nice to walk across it and watch the sun set on the skyline of the city. At the foot of the bridge, they offer guided tours. Budapest, Hungary: The Hungarian capital, known as the Pearl of the Danube, is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe when the lights are lit. I recommend a walk across the Chain Bridge (which crosses from Buda to Pest), which is always lit with warm lights at night. Nearby, in the skyline of Budapest, you can quickly locate the Parliament building, which is also illuminated at night. The best way to see the city late at night is by cruise ship on the...
October: Must-See Film Festivals
When the words festival and film come together, the final result is always a success. October is a very prolific month when it comes to organizing events dedicated to raising awareness and honoring the cinematic arts and the talented individuals behind their creation. Here are some dates that you should know for this month: International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia. Sitges (Barcelona). October 3 – 12, 2014. http://sitgesfilmfestival.com/ It claims to be the first fantasy film festival in the world and is popular within a variety of different cultural arenas, since it is considered a unique space to stimulate the creation, design and dissemination of the genre. Bringing together stars such as Anthony Hopkins and Quentin Tarantino, the Sitges Festival helps bring the latest technological trends in the audiovisual world to the public. It’s a must for any movie buff. BFI London Film Festival. October 8 – 19, 2014 http://www.bfi.org.uk It has been dubbed the “festival of festivals” many times over due to its programming, which is based on a selection of the titles presented in other competitions. To further their attempts at bringing the films to the public, they complement their program with activities, talks and debates from experts and celebrities from the film world. The Rome Film Festival. October 16 – 25, 2014. http://www.romacinemafest.it Since 2006, this festival has been celebrated in the Eternal City. It is comprised of a variety of sections (CinemaXXI, Prospettive Italy, Audience Award) and the recognition is divided into categories (Best Film, Best Performance, Best Director, etc.). The winners receive a statuette of Marcus Aurelius, which is inspired by the equestrian statue...
Traveling the World in Marathons
Runners are a new species that are rapidly growing on our planet. These sports enthusiasts devote their Sundays to tracking their heart rate as they add miles to their list of accomplishments instead of resting like the rest of mortals. Today, everyone has that friend who started drinking a Coke or some juice in place of the Friday evening beer, because he or she has to run the marathon that weekend. This new trend has invaded every city, and now it’s even possible to travel the world from marathon to marathon. Here are some of the most well-known or special ones that will be taking place soon: NEW YORK (2 Nov. 2014) The ING New York Marathon is one of the most famous and highly regarded among experts. Over 50,000 participants, who are encouraged by some 130 bands, will race across the Big Apple, passing through well-known areas including Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens or Fifth Avenue to the finish line in Central Park. The registration fee is $347, nothing more and nothing less, and demand is so high that priority is given to those runners with the best times. http://www.tcsnycmarathon.org/ CHICAGO (12 Oct. 2014) The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is another well-respected city race. The 26.2-mile race visits 29 districts of the capital of Illinois. In addition to receiving a blast of endorphins, the more than 40,000 athletes who take part in the race help support a charitable cause, since the registration is linked to various charitable associations. www.chicagomarathon.com ATHENS (9 Nov. 2014) This is the most authentic and genuine marathon. According to legend, Pheidippides ran to Athens...
Enotourism: Wine Tastings in Spain
Red, white and rosé. Wine tourism has no boundaries. And in recent years, we’ve seen an increase in the number of tourists to wineries all across Spain. In this post, I will recommend wineries with offers from open-air tastings to the opportunity to participate in the winemaking process. Smell, taste, enjoy and feel the pleasure of a glass of wine. Hot air balloon ride with views of the Rioja vineyards and a visit to the Bodegas Muga (Haro, La Rioja): A hot balloon ride over the vast fields of Haro is a unique experience. It certainly is a groundbreaking idea within what is known as Enotourism or wine tourism. It’s affordable and above all, very original. Of course, being able to observe the Rioja vineyards from a bird´s eye view is priceless. Afterwards, you can party at Bodegas Muga. Some 20,000 people taste their wines tasted there each year, and many stay to eat and enjoy a good Rioja. Wine Museum of Olite, Navarra: Here you can learn more about each phase of wine production. Compare the grape harvest of the past with that of today. Discover the meaning and principles of the wine harvest, the winemaking steps and maceration times. You will learn about the 11 varieties of grapes grown in Navarra. They compare the cycle of the vine with that of life and they also have playgrounds. It is a great place for visitors both big and small. Weekend tasting of the best Ribera del Duero: It’s truly a treat to visit each of the wineries located in the vicinity of Aranda de Duero. I recommend visit...
The Importance of Good Shoes
Generally, our feet are the parts of the body that suffer most when we are away from home. They say that prevention is the cure, and that certainly is the case here. We recommend you to bring different types of shoes for hiking (for both mountaineering experts and casual trekkers), footwear for walking along the beach, and even ones ideal for walking on rocky areas. All those who want to experience nature can now have the feeling of walking barefoot in the mountains. For you, I recommend the shoes called Barefoot. If you’re not familiar with them, they’re a bit like a sock that’s shaped to fit your toes and soles. No doubt, their main advantage is comfort. With them, you can feel the ground you’re walking on without a fear of slipping, thanks to its adherents and resistance capabilities that can withstand the weight of a person on a slope. I first saw Barefoot shoes in New Zealand when they were still rather uncommon and thought them a strange but extraordinary idea. For hiking at a more casual level or strolling down the street, there are a number of specialty brands. For example Callaghan Adaptaction and Geox are known for their comfort, quick adaptation to one’s feet, and breathable, flexible soles. But they are not cheap. But if you are not used to walking much in your normal daily routine and don’t have shoes that are already broken in, these shoes could be very useful. And as an added bonus, both Adaptaction Callaghan as Geox are very lightweight. However, I prefer the Gore-Tex brand. No doubt they are...
