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The Perfect Gift Ideas for Travelers
Gift giving is no easy task, whether for a close relative or friend. Everyone wants to give something appropriate, useful or fun and to avoid what is often an inevitable result: disappointment. We all know what it’s like to open a gift and then have to lie about how much we like it when it would best be simply forgotten. Have you had bad luck with gifts? Personally, I’ve had rather bad luck this year. My gifts are pretty much a joke: a self-help book full of useless pretensions, a scarf that’s too itchy to wear, a shirt that’s way to large, a shirt that’s way too small, and a perfume that can be smelled some 50 meters away. It’s been a huge disappointment. If you´re like me and you like to travel, maybe you would like some of the same things I would have liked to receive. There is nothing better than a useful gift, a gift that you will use again and again. Here are a few things that you can keep in mind the next time you need to give someone a gift, whether a birthday or next year at Christmas. With these gifts you can’t go wrong. For good rest while traveling Have you ever heard of an ostrich pillow? Although it´s hard to explain exactly what it is, you can rest assured that this will not only be the most original gift you´ve ever given but also the most useful. An ostrich pillow is like a padded hood for your head but one that covers your entire head with a breathing hole for the...
Reise-Fettnäpfchen – How to Avoid Cultural Faux Pas
It is always important to know something about the culture of the country where you are traveling, not only out of respect for the locals but also to avoid embarrassment or creating bad feelings. In Western countries, cultural differences of this kind are typically small ones that shouldn’t worry you. But there are some things you should be aware of, so we’ve compiled some tips for what to do or not to do in a few different countries. Spain If you travel to Spain, you will likely enjoy a hearty meal since Spanish cuisine is among the best in the world. And, of course, after you’ve finished eating, comes a time to sleep. While stretching yours arms up while sitting at the table is normal in the majority of European countries, it can be viewed as rude in Spain. Now you know that you’ll have to stretch stealthily if you’re feeling tired. Morocco If Morocco is your next travel destination, there´s something you should know. Moroccans are very friendly people and will do anything to make you feel comfortable if you are their guest. This is why if you are offered something, such as a glass of tea, a meal or a small gift, it is very important that you accept. If you decline the invitation or offer, they might think their offer is not good enough for you and be offended. If you accept, you will make them happy because they believe that they will be rewarded for good deeds after death. The way they see it, accepting favors is not only good for you but for them...
The Castle of the Star in Montiel (Ciudad Real)
Although it’s weird to write about myself, I find it especially thrilling to write about Montiel, its majestic castle, and the living history there I´ve learned from my people. Built up by the Arabs in the ninth century, it was later conquered by the Christians in one of the cruelest battles of history between Don Pedro I of Castile (who was nicknamed The Cruel One) and his brother, Don Enrique de Transtamare, who were archrivals. Specifically, the Battle of Montiel was fought there during the Hundred Years War. The history of the Castle of the Star as seen through my eyes My grandparents built their lives in the same place where Don Quixote of La Mancha lived out some of his adventures: the Campos de Montiel. I spent my summers, weekends and sometimes even Christmas there. In all, I have spent many wonderful years there and have good memories related to the surname Pretel. And of course, related to my grandparents´ house in the Plaza del Quinto Centenario. This house deserves an entirely separate post. Several images come to mind: my grandparents (Antonio and Dolores), climbs to the near ruins of the Castle of the Star with my siblings (Aida, Celia and Antonio), my parents who never fail me (Adelaide and Joseph) and Paquita (who has always been like family to me). In fact, many of the mysteries of Montiel I now know I owe to her. She told me that back when she was a still a child, there were dozens of underground tunnels connecting the castle with the hill known as the Cerro de San Polo (which...
The Best Destinations for the Last Days of 2013
Winter is almost here and Christmas, too, which means that the year 2013 is coming to an end, but there’s still time to plan a getaway before New Year’s Eve. Whether you have just a few days or even an entire week to get away, we’re going to talk about the best destinations in Europe to escape and make the most of what’s left of the year. 2-4 days Sometimes we may think it’s not worth traveling for such a short time. But with this mindset, you’ll never go anywhere. Two days are still plenty of time to relax in a new place and take a break from your routine. If you only have two, three or four days to get away, it´s best to visit a city. Where? A good place to start is Rome. Visiting Rome outside the main tourist season is a joy, since there’s no summer sun beating down on you or flocks of tourists queuing up in long lines that never end every place that is the least bit interesting. Rome is best to visit at this time of year when you can explore at your leisure. Another interesting destination for such a short amount of time is Lisbon. At this time of year, the temperatures there are around 15ºC, which makes it a very attractive winter destination where you don’t have to go out in jackets, hats, scarves, etc. and still freeze to death. Being there off-season, you’ll also be able to appreciate the daily life of the Portuguese capital and all its delights and surprises in neighborhoods like Alfama or Bairro...
What is it like to plan and go on a trip?
There´s nothing more exciting than planning a trip. It is a great experience through which you’ll feel a bunch of different emotions, including excitement and sadness (if you go on a long trip, leaving family and friends behind). Anyway, here are the most common emotions we experience when planning a trip. via Flickr Flights and accommodation Our first task is to find flights and accommodation. Assuming you´re not a millionaire that uses € 500 banknotes to blow your nose, you’ll be looking for the cheapest options: dozens of options, web pages, open tabs and comparisons… to the point of having a huge mess of websites, but not a cheap enough option. Instead of that, sometime you end up with thousand of opened pages that saturate your computer. It is a real nightmare, isn’t it? Joy Now that you´ve found everything you were looking for and just have to wait for the big day, you can’t help it but feeling joy all the time, because you’ll go on a trip to a new place; a feeling that mixes impatience and desire to jump and tell the world about it. The anticipation of taking a trip is something that can’t be compared with almost anything, especially if you´ve found cheap flights and accommodation, including holiday apartments, because it is a great way to save money. Do you also feel like doing this? Do you want to kill the president? If you are traveling to a nearby country, it is likely that you’ll only need your passport or ID to fly, but if you head to a distant place, chances are that...
Berlin, 2014 Gourmet Capital
Who said that German cuisine is limited to sausage, sauerkraut and beer? Certainly, there are widespread views on just about any issue but one of the most uninformed is that one will eat poorly in Germany. If you are German or a Germanophile and feel offended every time someone says the food of your country is no good, you can always respond with the fact that Germany is in fourth place when it comes to the number of Michelin stars that have been awarded worldwide. Indeed, Germany has a total of 333 Michelin stars restaurants: 11 3-star restaurants, 37 2-star restaurants, and 226 1-star restaurants. And I doubt very much that they have been awarded for their excellent currywurst and good beer. At the epicenter of this boom of German cuisine is the country’s capital, Berlin. Although it is not the city with the most Michelin stars in Germany, it is a city where gourmet cuisine is growing in a disproportionate way. In the last five years in Germany, there has been a 25% growth of restaurants with Michelin Stars in Berlin and it continues to grow. According to Michelin editor-in-chief Ralf Flinkenflügel, “The demand is there. If nobody went to these restaurants, they would not exist. Berlin is developing as one of the European gourmet capitals, thanks to its five two-star restaurants and nine one-star restaurants.” When asked for a comparison with Paris, Flinkenflügel responded to the German weekly Der Spiegel, “what has been accomplished in Berlin in the last twenty years is simply amazing”. vía Flickr So I hope this has whetted your appetite to sample...
Paris ABC’s (Part II)
Notre Dame: Immortalized by the great Victor Hugo, this is the most famous cathedral in the city. Located on the Île de la Cité, in the middle of the Seine, it is one of the icons of the city because of its impressive Gothic architecture and its inspirational bell tower. Orsay: A museum and a dock, both the most beautiful in the city. Located on the 7th Arrondissement of Paris, this is certainly one of the most beautiful places from which to admire the river and bridges that cross it. Père Lachaise: This is the most famous cemetery in the city. Why? Because there you’ll find the tombs of some of the most important figures in the history of France and the world, such as: Balzac, María Callas, Molière, Chopin, Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde. via Jim Linwood Quai: In French, ‘Dock’. The quais go along the Seine River on both sides and are the perfect location for a romantic walk with our loved ones, especially at night, when the lights of the city illuminate the river. Roland Garros: This is one of the biggest sporting events in the world, which is held each spring at Roland Garros tennis stadium complex. This is where the top, male and female, players in the world compete to win one of the most prestigious competitions in the sport’s world. Seine: This is the famous river that crosses Paris. The river gives a special, romantic and melancholy atmosphere to the city; its bridges and docks are simply beautiful and without them, Paris would not be Paris. Tuileries: Paris has many parks and gardens,...
The Right Marathon for You
The Right Marathon for You
Sierra Nevada: the privilege of skiing by the sea
Located less than an hour from Motril beach, Sierra Nevada, offers the most beautiful and unusual landscapes in Spain. Although it is the southernmost ski resort in Europe, the sun shines here as nowhere else. Being able to ski in Andalusia is a peculiarity itself; just Imagine having the chance to ski and end the day on the beach. This is something that can only happen in Granada. Sierra Nevada is one of those ski resorts that welcomes all kinds of people. On one hand, it is one of the most favorites among professional skiers, because several ski world championships are held there. On the other hand, it is ideal for families because of its accessibility. Photo: Cayetano What does this ski resort offer? Among other things, it offers a wide variety of tracks: 16 green, 40 blue, 50 red and 9 black. Sierra Nevada is also well equipped with 2 cable cars, 17 chair lifts and 2 conveyor belts. Apart of having the possibility of skiing and snowboarding, children and adults, will have the option of taking a ride on a Nordic dog sled, practice jumps and new techniques in the Snowpark , and visit the Fuente del Mirlo Blanco Park, which is so much fun. At Sierra Nevada you will find archery, ski bike and mini-ski. There are other activities that include: ice-skating on a natural ice rink or snow sliding. Here, fun is guaranteed. If you’re coming with small kids, the park also has a nursery. Environment UNESCO declared Sierra Nevada National Park a “Biosphere Reserve” in 1986. Its highest peak is the Mulhacen, which is...
