Vayama Travel Blog

Eating cheaply while traveling is easy. Nomadic Matt shows you how.

How to Eat Cheap Around the World

By Nomadic Matt

After accommodations, food is going to be one of your largest day to day on the road expenses. After all, you need to eat – and eat often. You can eat cheap canned beans and live off pasta throughout the world if you really want but that’s not really fun and I’m sure you didn’t fly to Paris, Thailand, or some other great place to not try the food. Here’s how you can indulge in the local cuisine without blowing your budget:

Cook Your Meals

A week’s worth of groceries is cheaper than a week’s worth of restaurants. I generally find that I spend about $60 – 50 USD per week on groceries, as opposed to $20+ per day at restaurants. That’s a reduction of 70% in food expenses. Even if you are simply going away for a two week vacation, consider cooking part of your meals. Food costs add up quick – a snack here and a dinner there and you’ll be wasting a lot of your money on food. The majority of hostels, guesthouses, and shared apartments all have full kitchens where you can cook your meal.

Cook on your trip and save

Lunch Specials

In many parts of the world, especially in Europe, you can dine on dinner menus at lunch special prices. The plate of the day as it is called is the best bargain in the world. For example, while I was in Barcelona, I went to eat at the seafood restaurants near the beach. However, dinner was around $50 USD. Yet coming back the next day for the lunch special allowed me to get the same meal for only $20 USD because of the lunch special. Another destination that is great for this is Singapore. Singapore is a very expensive place by Asian standards – food here can cost as much as it does back home. Yet restaurants here have fixed menus for lunch that cost between $10-15 USD as opposed to $25 USD for dinner. In England, pubs provide set meals for as low as $10 USD.

Go for the lunch special and save

Refill Your Water Bottle

You need to stay hydrated when traveling and buying water everyday costs money. Get a metal water bottle or reuse your plastic water bottle a few times to save money. I usually use a plastic water bottle for about 4 days, more if I can find a place to clean it. Instead of buying 3 bottles a day, I usually buy 2 per week. I may only be saving a small amount of money each time but over the course of a long trip that can really add up. Moreover, I reduce the amount of plastic I use which is also good for the environment. It’s win-win.

Refill and save your pocket and the environment

Never Eat in a Tourist Area

This is a simple enough tip, but one often forgotten by people since we tend to be in these areas because the attractions are. Prices in tourist areas generally tend to be 20-50% higher because tourists don’t mind spending more money since they are away for a short time and unaware what local prices actually are.

Avoid the tourist menu and save

Street Food

In most places around the world, the streets are lined with little food stalls and areas where food is cooked openly on the street. You grab a plate, sit down in a little plastic chair, and enjoy a delicious meal. Street food is some of the best food in the world. Meals at street stalls (different from street vendors, who have a bit more permanent set up) cost less than a dollar most of the time, and are a great way to really experience the local cuisine. Many places — like Thailand, for example — wouldn’t be the same if the street food disappeared. Many travelers are worried that such food isn’t safe but I assure you it is. If it made people sick, people wouldn’t eat at these stalls in such large numbers. I eat street food wherever I can and prefer street stalls to sit down restaurants.

Street food rocks!

Don’t Snack

A gelato here, a gelato there. Sodas. Bottles of water. Cookies. More gelato. It all adds up. Since the price is so small (“it’s only a dollar!” you say!) we don’t think of snacking as having a big impact on our budget. But buying snacks a few times a day will slowly add up and throw your budget out of whack. Before you know it, you can be spending $5 USD or more per day extra on food. That doesn’t sound like a lot but that’s $100 USD on a 10 day trip. I’d rather spend that $100 on a fabulous meal or nicer hotel than giving into a snack attack. Stick to big, filling meals! It’s healthier anyways.

Locals don’t spend a lot of money on food. They aren’t blowing their budget every night to have fabulous local food. You don’t need to either. Local food isn’t some specialty found in the tourist area. It’s the everyday food of people and can be found all over the place. Follow these tips and you’ll know how to eat cheap around the world.

Want more? Here’s a blog I wrote with 20 more interesting facts about me!

Go Wild in South Africa with South African Airways

By Max Milano

“When elephants want their waterhole”, our guide said in an Afrikaans accent from the driver’s seat of an open top Range Rover, “all the other animals have to get out of the way, they’re the real kings of the Jungle”. Or at least kings of the South African veldt, though I, as the majestic beasts took control of the waterhole, scattering warthogs and zebras in their wake. We were in South Africa’s Addo Elephant Park, and were not disappointed. We had driven hundreds of miles from Cape Town to the outskirts of Port Elizabeth to watch elephants in their semi-natural habitat, and once again, South Africa had delivered. Many countries promise a lot to visitors and end up disappointing. Not South Africa. Since our arrival into Cape Town a few days before, South Africa had amazed us, and then some. We had sunbathed with penguins on Boulder Beach, gone whale watching at Hermanus, hiked to the top of Table Mountain, gone wine tasting in Stellenbosch, and had been amazed at the friendliness of the people and the multicultural blend of Cape Town. The Cape Region of South Africa was both familiar and exotic. With echoes of Southern California, the West Indies and Southeast Asia, but also uniquely African. Isn’t it time you discovered this amazing country?

Now you have the chance to discover South Africa with Vayama and South African Airways’ “Ready to Go Wild?” contest. Click on this link, send a picture of your beloved pet or favorite animal, and get ready to see for yourself why South Africa really delivers in its promise of an exciting and beautiful vacation destination.

South Africa’s Top 8

1-Cape Town’s Victoria & Albert Waterfront
Cape Town is gorgeous. There is no town on Earth like it. From the moment you land at the airport you will be amazed at the majesty of Table Mountain, looming above it all. The day we landed, Table Mountain had its ‘tablecloth’ on, as the locals call the cottony clouds that wrap over it during the morning hours and at dusk. After checking in our hotel we headed directly to Cape Town’s famous Victoria & Albert Waterfront. The colorful Dutch style piers of the Victoria & Albert Waterfront are a perfect introduction to South Africa; with souvenir shops, pubs and restaurants serving local Cape Malay curries. You can also catch the Ferry to Robben Island from there; the famous island prison (now a museum) that held Nelson Mandela and other freedom fighters during the apartheid years. One of the coolest shops at the Victoria & Albert is called “Presidential Shirts”, where you can buy fateful copies of the colorful shirts favored by President Mandela. They even come with a picture of the president wearing the actual shirt you are buying.

Victoria & Albert with Table Top Mountain (and tablecloth)

2-Bo Kaap
Cape Town is a melting pot of African, European, East Indian and Southeast Asian cultures. You can get amazing Ethiopian food, enjoy a pint in a British style pub and then head out for a spicy Cape Malay curry, all within a small radius. And if you’re in the mood for a traditional Cape Malay curry, head up to Cape Town’s colorful Bo Kaap district. The houses are painted in pastel colors, reminiscent of the West Indies, and most of the residents hail from Malaysia. Visit Biesmiellah, the best curry house in the Bo Kaap, for a true taste of a traditional Cape Malay curry.

Colorful Bo Kaap

3-Boulder Beach
If you love penguins and the beach, then Boulder Beach is for you. This beautiful seaside suburb, south of Cape Town, is reachable via one of the most beautiful scenic roads in the world. The road climbs a steep hill, as it passes gorgeous beaches and bays. Boulder Beach is divided in two; one part is exclusive for the penguins, with a visitor center and wooden viewing platforms from which to enjoy these beautiful birds as they frolic in the surf. Then there’s the boulder part of Boulder Beach; a secluded cove with massive sandstone boulders right on the water, where humans are allowed to sunbathe and swim with the feathery African Penguins. This is an experience you will never forget.

Boulder Beach Penguins

4-Stellenbosh
The Cape Region is famous for its wines and Stellenbosch is their answer to the Napa Valley. This beautiful whitewashed town is home to some of the best wineries in South Africa. You can also wonder around its downtown, lined with outdoor cafes and shops. The perfect day trip from Cape Town.

Posh Stellenbosh

5-Table Mountain
Table Mountain is impressive. It evokes the power of nature while at the same town, accentuating the beauty of the Cape Town beach suburbs. You can hike to the top or take the cable car. But no matter how you get to the top, you will be amazed at the stunning views it offers; Cape Town in all of its splendor, lined with beaches and tranquil bays. There is also a café and a souvenir shop up on the top, perfect to relax before hiking back down.

Top of Table Top

6-The Garden Route
This stretch of road connects Cape Town with Port Elizabeth and it’s one of the most scenic roads in the world. It first cuts through the South African veldt (a dry savannah with low shrubs) where you can see many species of South African springbok (antelope), before veering to the coast, passing many Californiaesque beach towns, where you can stop for steamed mussels or for a day of sailing or windsurfing. The Garden Route ends in Jeffrey’s Bay, a laid back surf town, with beach front bars and one of the best right hand point breaks in the entire world.

Jeffrey’s Bay

7-Hermanus
This beach town at the beginning of the Garden Route is famous for its whales. There are many whale watching spots on this earth, but none like Hermanus. Due to some quirk of nature, and the currents, Hermanus’s tranquil coves are the preferred spot for southern right whales to give birth and raise their young. The massive whales get really close to the shore, and can often be confused with beach rocks, until they start to move (yes they get that close). You can often see a mother and her calf, swimming in a cloud of whale milk. A true spectacular spot.

Hermanus Whale

8-Addo Elephant Park
Kruger National Park may be more famous, but Addo wins my heart. The beauty of the South African National Park system is that you have three ways to enjoy the experience: On an open top Range Rover, driven by an official guide, in your own car with a local village guide, or a self-guided tour in your own car. The accommodations are top notch. We booked a luxury hut with all the mod cons and a thatched roof, overlooking a waterhole (more on that later). Our first day at the park, we booked a two hour tour with a park ranger on an open top Range Rover. Our guide was a joyful and informative Boer who knew a lot about all the different types of animals roaming around the park. In our first outing we were able to get up close and personal with a herd of elephants, zebras, warthogs and several species of springbok. The park has a pride of lions, but they are a bit shy, but trust me, they are out there (no one is allowed to step out of the vehicles for safety reasons). There is also an electrified picnic area that reminded me of Jurassic Park, only that the fences are designed to keep the park’s lions from turning visitors into their next lunch. The next day we went out with a local village guide. He spoke several native dialects, as well as English and Afrikaans (there are 11 official languages in South Africa). He was quite amused when we tried learning the Xhosa ‘click’ language, which is spoken in a series of clicks. On our last night in the park we sat outside our hut, gazing at the stars, when a wild roar startled us. The bushes around the lit waterhole next to our hut began to shake as a huge animal with a phalanx of sharp teeth appeared, followed by many more. We stood speechless as a pack of massive hyenas trotted around the waterhole, grunting and sniffing the cool night air. Then, just as suddenly as they appeared, they headed back into the blackness of the bush, and the African night was quiet again. Just another day in South Africa.

Addo Elephant Park

* Max Milano is a travel writer and the author of “The Mechanicals of Recoleta”, available at Amazon.

Now that the Olympics are over, it’s the best time to visit London to take advantage of travel bargains galore!

By Max Milano *

Some of the best travel bargains in Europe this fall are to be found in Post-Olympic London. Hotels are expected to slash their rates in an effort to lure visitors back and of course, Olympic souvenirs are half price!

Post Olympic London is Calling

London’s post Olympic blues happily coincide with the beginning of the fall shoulder season; this means that trans-Atlantic airfares will drop up to 50% when compared to peak summer fares. Many tourists avoided central London during the Olympics, so West End theatres, restaurants and hotels are eager to attract everyone back with extra low rates. Another cool thing about the fall season are the many art happenings and exhibits, check out London’s premier Art Galleries and museums, like the National Gallery and the Tate Modern for special fall events, many of them free.

When You Arrive
The cheapest way to get from Heathrow Airport to Central London is on the tube, period. You can buy a seven day Oystercard for unlimited rides on the London Underground, buses and even Thames river boats.

The London Underground

Things to do in London this Fall

From the Top of the O2 to Pigs on the Wing
Adrenaline junkies will be glad to learn that you can now climb up on the roof of London’s O2 arena (this was featured in a James Bond Film). Harnesses are provided and the views over Canary Wharf and the Thames River are guaranteed to be quite spectacular. Pink Floyd fans will be glad to know that rappelling for charity from the top of the Battersea Power Station will be on offer (the power station featured prominently on the cover of Pink Floyd’s Animals album).

For those about to rappel: We salute you!

Art Nights
One of the best things about London is it’s free museums: The venerable British Museum and the National Gallery are always free. The Tate modern does charge a fee, but it’s well worth it. Join the Tate’s “Late at the Tate” DJ nights this fall, with special after hour exhibits and trendy live DJs providing a bit of extra fun.

Late Tete`-a-tete´ at the Tate

Be Amazed
The maze at Hampton Court Palace, near the London suburb of Richmond is one of the most famous hedge mazes in the world. This year, a sound exhibit will trill you with strange sounds as you try to find your way out of this magnificent 18th century maze.

Hampton Court is Amazing!

Go for Gold
The Royal Mail has painted their traditional red mailboxes golden to represent each one of the Gold medals won by Team GB during the Olympics. A scavenger hunt to spot the new golden mailboxes can be a fun activity as you explore London and the rest of the UK.

Day Tripper
Take advantage of this British tradition of roundtrip fares for the price of a one way (as long as you return the same day) known popularly as a  ”cheap day return” and officially as “off peak day returns”  and take the train up to York, one of England’s best preserved medieval towns. Visit the York Minster, the Viking Museum (York was the Capital of Viking Britain) and walk the medieval city wall.

* Max Milano is a travel writer and the author of “The Mechanicals of Recoleta”, available at Amazon.

By Nomadic Matt

With thousands of potential candidates, it’s hard to decide which islands to visit when you travel around Southeast Asia. Tales of exotic and deserted islands will pull you in all sorts of directions. I love the beach, the sun, and the waves and during my 6 years, traveling the region, have been on a continuous quest to find the best tropical islands in the region. If, like me, you want to relax on a white sand beach, lapped by warm blue away, check out these islands on your next visit:

Ko Chang (Thailand)
Located in eastern Thailand, this island has seen a lot of development in recent years but it is still relatively deserted. Blue water and white sand beaches ring the island and as a bonus it has a milder monsoon season than other places in the country. I like the island because it’s easy to escape the “resorty” area, there are less wild and crazy parties on the island, it’s cheap, and there is good diving nearby.

Ko Chang

Book flights to Thailand for less on Vayama

Perhentian Islands (Malaysia)
Located off the eastern coast of Malaysia, this pair of islands is idyllic. White sand beaches, clear skies, and crystal blue water – to me it’s heaven. There are very little modern conveniences here. You go here to escape, relax, snorkel, and work on your tan. It’s the perfect place to set up a hammock and wonder if you entered a postcard.

Bali (Indonesia)
Bali is the major tourist destination in Indonesia for people coming to soak up the sun, relax on a beach, visit temples, and surf. While the island may be popular, it’s popular for good reasons and I absolutely loved my time on it. It’s so large that once you get out of the popular southeast, you can escape all the tourists and have miles of beach and jungle to yourself. And if you want people, the tourist areas have some of the best international food and nightlife in the region. It’s the best of both worlds.

Gili islands (Indonesia)
Located near Bali, people flock to these three tiny islands because they don’t have much to do on them. If you want to escape the madness of Bali, come here. You’ll have perfect white sand beaches, delicious seafood, beautiful diving, and quite nights.

Phuket (Thailand)
Phuket is the top tourist destination in Thailand. This island has amazing beaches, is located near some great diving spots, and has three national parks on it. It’s no wonder why it’s the number one destination in Asia. The island contains some of the best spas and golf courses in the region. For those looking for luxury, Phuket offers it.

Panglao (Philippines)
Panglao is famous for its world class diving and numerous resorts. Located in the Philippines, this island is also home to the pristine Alona Beach. It’s a good alternative to the more popular Boracay (see below) or Cebu. This is a good island if you are a diver.

Boracay (Philippines)
Boracay is another tropical island located in the Philippines and is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. Boracay is the site of a world-class 18-hole golf course, has 350 beach resorts, water sports, phenomenal restaurants, great night life, and lots of bars. This islands isn’t a great “out of the way” destination but the crowds are bearable if you want some luxury on your trip, this is the place to go.

Boracay

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Ko Lipe (Thailand)
Located in southern Thailand, this island is well of the tourist trail (though every year seems to bring it a little closer). White sand beaches, abundant fish, and friendly locals make this heaven. My three day visit turned into three weeks. I just couldn’t pull myself away. It’s also located in a national park giving you a chance to explore hundreds of nearby deserted islands. My time there was some of the best in my life.

Bamboo Island (Cambodia)
Located off the coast nearby the town of Sihanoukville, this island is an hour motorboat ride from the coast. There’s nothing here except a restaurant, a few huts, and the beach. It’s rustic here – electricity works only in the evening, there is no hot water, air conditioning, or any other modern conveniences. People come here to get away from it all and relax.

Bamboo Island

Rabbit Island (Cambodia)
Another deserted island off the coast of Cambodia, there is even less here than on Bamboo Island! I like this island for a great day trip from the coastal town of Kep. It’s too quite for me. But if you ever wanted to pretend to be Robinson Crusoe, this is the island to do it at.

Southeast Asia has thousands of islands – each meeting the needs of travelers. From empty islands to party islands to upscale resort islands, there is something for everyone. Let these ten be your guide for sand, surf, and sun in one of the most fascinating areas of the world.

Want more? Here’s a blog I wrote with 20 more interesting facts about me!

By Nomadic Matt

Vayama Reviews:

Nomadic Matt shares his favorite European destinations.

I’ve been traveling to Europe in the summer for the last five years. Everyone is out in the cafes, there are lots of concerts, the weather is great, and there are tons of travelers around. Even if it’s just for a few weeks, I will always visit Europe during the summer. I have too. I crave it.  One of the greatest things about Europe is the number of potential destinations.  There are so many cities, towns, parks, and islands to see that it would take a lifetime to try to see all of Europe.  Here are my top places to visit:

Stockholm

I have a strong affinity for all things Scandinavian, and Stockholm is no exception. It’s why I have moved here for the remainder of the year. I love it and what is not to love about it?  It is one of the most beautiful I cities n the world. The reds and greens of the buildings have an old world charm, the locals are incredibly friendly, the city is abuzz with life in the summer time, the weather is just warm enough, and there is an infectious charm to the city. Within seconds of stepping into the city, few people ever want to leave.

Take Stock of Stockholm

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Utrecht

Utrecht is a miniature version of Amsterdam but without the huge crowds.  Utrecht’s city center features many historic buildings and structures. You’ll find beautiful canals, historic churches, great green spaces, and lovely town squares. The city is a big university town has a very youthful and vibrant feel to it.  Hardly anyone ever visits the city despite it being only 30 minutes from Amsterdam. You get the same magic minus the crowds.

Cornwall

Cornwall’s culture, spectacular landscape, and mild climate make it a popular tourist destination during the summer, even with the English. Too many people stick to just London when they visit England but if you really want to take in the country, you need to visit Cornwall, where the rolling hills, easy hiking trails, beautiful lakes, and tiny towns with friendly locals will give you a much better understanding of the country than just London.

Paris

The city of light is everything people say it is.  From the second I stepped out onto the Champ Elyse, I knew I would love Paris. There’s an vibrant energy to the city that excludes life. Paris is so large, so full of life that you’ll never be able to see the city in just one visit. It would take years. But you can get a good idea in just a few days as you marvel at the Eiffel tower, stroll through the food markets, picnic and Montmartre and take in some of Paris’s famous clubs.

Paris is it

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Amsterdam

There’s more to this city than just coffeeshops and red lights. I came to visit in 2006, loved it so much, I stayed for 4 months. Amsterdam is a city of cobblestone streets set upon a beautiful backdrop of lovely canals. In Amsterdam, you’ll find a very artistic city with tons of wonderful museums, locals always willing to share a beer, and delicious outdoor cafes in the Jordaan area of town.

Greek Islands

These islands are the mecca of summer beach fun in Europe. With hundreds of islands, it’s hard to really pick the best. The island of Ios is the center of the party. Mykonos is great for those who want a romantic getaway. Paros and Naxos are quiet and relaxing. Crete and Santorini perfect for those who want history. Kos is popular with the Brits. But no matter what island you choose, you’ll find an affordable beach destination surrounded by warm clear water.

Barcelona

Barcelona is Europe’s party city. The city goes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and could give NYC a run for the “city that never sleeps” title. Be prepared for late night dinners and until dawn parties. People in Barcelona have a zest for life and it shows in their late nights, beach days, and long and plentiful dinners. Plus, this city that dates back to Roman times has beautiful architecture, great Roman ruins, and his home to the famous Gaudi architect and his surreal buildings.

Barcelona: Sagrada Familia

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London

London has some of the best museums in the best in the world (and free), there is a lot of history here, and the pub culture is wonderful. Head to Brick Lane for an amazing Sunday food market filled with the best Indian in London. While I always find London an expensive city to visit, I like the historic nature of the city, the pub culture, and it’s melting pot feel to it.

I (Heart) London

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Berlin

Europe’s nightlife capital, hip and trendy Berlin is an energetic destination. While the city is very bland looking, the mouth watering and cheap food, the art scene, and the amazing music scene more than makes up for the drab, old communist feeling you get in Berlin. Through in some beautiful parks, lots of outdoor and green space, and a young, hipster feel to it and you get the most youthful city in Europe.

There are a million destinations in Europe. This list of cities will give you a mix of old world, new world, beach destinations, and history.

Want more? Here’s a blog I wrote with 20 more interesting facts about me!

By Kristin Zibell (Independent Solo Female Traveler)

For women who strive to challenge themselves while they travel, these vacation destinations go beyond the sight-seeing/eating/shopping routine and make the solo gal traveler be all she can be.

The solo gal traveler is wandering solo for a reason – to show herself and the world that she can do it! The “it” varies depending on her mood and desires, but certain vacations and activities around the world can reveal a self-sufficient and strong adventurer. Confidence builds, adventures abound, and her independence unfolds.  On my own independent adventures, I’ve ridden a camel across the Sahara and the Sinai Peninsula, trekked in Nepalese forests looking for rhinos, and snuck into the Goa International Film Festival in India. Each experience shed fears and added a layer of independence, making me a better traveler and woman.

Conquering the Surf in Mexico

There’s nothing like the first time of standing on a surf board and catching that wave. It’s victory over any self-doubt found in the thirteen or so tries where you didn’t get up. Declare your independence in two exceptional Mexican surfing spots and learn to ride the Pacific waves. Near Puerto Vallarta, there’s Sayulita, a popular surfing spot where surfers have been finding the perfect wave since the 1960s. Take a lesson for the day or join a surf camp and retreat.  Further down the coast and closer to Acapulco is Puerto Escondido, another popular Mexican surfing spot.  Take surf lessons to learn the difference between the wall, tube, and barrel parts of a wave on a beach named after a woman who found freedom by escaping her Spanish captors.

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Surf's Up in Mexico

Bringing out Your Inner Goddess at a Bali Retreat

Solo traveler extraordinaire author Elizabeth Gilbert of Eat, Pray, Love fame found her “love” while meditating with her healer/guru in Bali. While the independent traveler may not be seeking love (unless, perhaps, it’s in the form of Javier Bardem), she may be seeking some quiet solitude on one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Join a yoga, aruvedic, or spa retreat in Ubud to find your inner Dewi Sri and flourish from within. If you prefer something less organized than a retreat, you can stay on your own in Ubud and easily find yoga and reiki workshops in this international healing destination.

Find flights to Bali for less on Vayama.

Eat, Pray, Love in Bali.

Volunteering with a Women’s Organization in India

“Volunteer vacations” are an attractive option for travelers to go beyond seeing the sights to connecting with locals who need assistance.  The solo woman traveler finds independence and compassion by working with and helping women in need. Volunteer organizations in Delhi, Jaipur, and Bangalore connect female travelers with women’s empowerment groups that focus on language, health, and business training. Most organizations offer add-on trips so you can see the nearby sights in addition to helping Indian women become more independent.

Find flights to India for less on Vayama.

Namaste! Volunteer in India.

Walking the Streets of New York City

Every Sunday for six years, millions of women tuned into see Carrie Bradshaw strut the Manhattan streets in her Manolo Blahniks on Sex and the City.  Sure, Carrie often had the support of her girlfriends, but she found her that her solo relationship with one of the world’s best cities was the longest. Embrace your inner Carrie with a walk down Fifth Avenue to Bergdorf Goodman to try on a pair of those designer stilettos. Then, get to know the city a bit more by seeing from the top – feel the powerful vastness of the city with a visit to the Empire State Building. Enter the city from the outside in with a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.  Finally, walk through midtown at night to join the New York crowds at Free Friday Nights at the Museum of Modern Art. There is just something about walking those New York avenues that make the solo gal traveler want to shout, “I’ve made it!”

I (Heart) New York

Independence is gained in just the act of traveling solo. However, independence is truly felt when we push ourselves out of our comfort zone and try something different and new. Good luck and happy travels!

Kristin Zibell is a chronic world traveler and travel writer. She authors the popular travel blog TakeYourBigTrip.com to inspire would-be travelers to live their travel dreams. When not traveling locally in San Francisco, Kristin is always planning her next big trip.

Having a Balearic: Michael Douglas, Rafael Nadal, Claudia Schiffer all think Majorca is very cool, and so will you.

Book your flights to Majorca on AirBerlin and discover the hottest island on the Mediterranean Sea.

By Max Milano *

Majorca is hot, hotter than hot. This I pondered in the 90 degree heat as we followed our local guide up a steep trail, trough 1000 year old olive groves and over rocks and dried scrub until the bone dry hills opened into a valley that revealed the electric blue Mediterranean Sea beyond. “Welcome to Ca’ Xorc” our guide said as we entered the cooling shade of a beautiful Spanish manor. A large table was already set for lunch in the garden, among lemon trees and bougainvillea. Below us gleamed an infinity pool slowly dripping, its cooling waters over the edge. It was one of those impossibly clear Spanish days, when the light is just right and the white wine sparkles. Life felt like a Hemingway novel, sensual and brash, old and new, classically Spanish. The Romans had been here 2000 years before, then the Ottomans, followed by the medieval Catalan kings. Now German, Swedish and British tourists flock to these balmy shores by the thousands. Majorca is the hottest summer destination of 2012 (according to Kayak), so how come most Americans have never even heard of it?

Welcome to Casa Xorc in Soller, Majorca.

Celebrity Hangout

“Michael Douglas has a villa here”, our guide said as the paella was served, “so does Rafael Nadal and Claudia Shiffer”. The huge paella pan was chock full of black rice, steaming mussels and jumbo shrimps. “They use squid ink” our guide explained. The black rice tasted briny and delicious, like eating mouthfuls of the Med. I could see why Hollywood celebrities would choose to spend their summers here. Majorca is absolutely stunning. There is something about being able to jump into the Mediterranean Sea in the morning, followed by a stroll along Roman and medieval ruins before a Paella lunch. And this is perhaps the best way to enjoy a black rice paella; in the stunningly Hemingwayesque setting of Casa Xorc’s garden.

After lunch we walked into town. Casa Xorc overlooks the town of Soller. This beautiful medieval town of narrow cobblestoned streets and stunning houses opens into a narrow port with seaside cafés and a newly made beach. The hills surrounding the town are full of trails and boutique pensions. If Soller is not paradise, it’s pretty close to it.

In the evening we gathered by Soller’s gothic cathedral to catch the train back to Palma. A daytrip to Soller is basically a trip back in time. The train is from the early 1900’s and nothing has changed much around here since then.

Mad for the Med. Soller's Port & Beach.

The Best Nightlife in the World?

Back in Palma I readied myself to experience its legendary nightlife. Ibiza might get all the fame and Café del Mar compilations, but my guidebook said that Tito’s disco on Palma’s seaside promenade (Paseo Maritimo) was once voted “the best disco in the world”. No nightclub could possibly live to this kind of hype, but the Spanish do know a thing or two about partying on Friday night, so off I went.

At 1am Tito’s was still a bit quiet but this is normal in Spain. The locals don’t go out to dinner until at least 10pm and no self respecting Spaniard will be caught dead in a nightclub before 2 am.

Tito’s has an elevator to get from the street up into the disco itself. Inside the elevator I ran into 3 Russian models on vacation. “The girls are very beautiful here”, one of them complained, “they make us feel ugly” said another. Wow, if Tito’s regulars were so uncannily attractive that even Russian models felt intimidated, this was something I had to see. Inside the club was stuck in the late 90’s but in a classy way. The floor show featured female dancers in flowing pink robes and a buff party boy sans shirt. It took me only a few seconds to realize that the Russians models were right; all the beautiful people of Europe were here: Swedish blondes, Polish brunettes, Irish redheads. A Babel of tongues and attitudes all dancing to American hip-hop ( “ I’m sexy and I know it!”). The bartenders spoke in English, German or Spanish. Cosmopolitan squared. A United States of Europe under the balmy Balearic night. As I staggered back to my hotel at 5 in the morning, I realized that I was going mad for the Med in Majorca and only wanted more.

We're Sexy and We Know it. Tito's Nightclub, Palma.

How to get there: Airberlin offers smooth same day connection to Palma de Mallorca via Berlin from six US gateways: Miami, Fort Myers, New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Where to Stay: Castillo Hotel Son Vida (Palma), this refurbished manor offers stunning views of Palma and refined elegance with a flair for great local food. Hotel Palacio Casa Galesa, this gorgeous manor house hidden away in Palma’s old town offers the closest thing to staying in a private mansion with a stunning rooftop bar and spa. Ca’s Xorc, this boutique pension perched in the hills above the town of Soller proves that paradise on earth does indeed exist. You can also come in for lunch on a day trip from Palma on the train.

Things to do: Sun, sand sea and…paella. Majorca offers something for everybody; from world class nightlife to stunning beaches, golf courses, wineries, Roman ruins, medieval churches and more. Visit Son Ramon winery for a traditional Majorcan estate experience and take a day trip to Alcudia for the Roman ruins, medieval wall and great beach. Take the period train from Palma to Soller and enjoy its medieval streets, hiking trails, stunning hilltop pensions and cute port and marina.

When to Go: Spring and fall are ideal. Early summer is nice. August can be very hot and crowded. Winters are mild and quiet, with some restaurants and bars closing down for the season.

* Max Milano is the Author of  “The Mechanicals of Recoleta”Available at Amazon

Book your Stockholm Flights on AirBerlin and discover the trendiest city in Europe this summer.

By Max Milano *

I am at the outdoor terrace of the Café Opera nightclub in Stockholm. It’s 2 am and nightfall never came. All we got was a kind of twilight after midnight. I look outside and can still see a blue dusk. At 3 am the sun begins to rise. Pretty soon it’s as bright as noon back home, but my watch tells me it’s still not quite 3.30 in the morning. Welcome to Stockholm’s white nights. I had promised myself to go back to my hotel as soon as it got dark, but it never did. That explains why I am still at the VIP terrace of the Café Opera at 3.30 in the morning among the beautiful people of Stockholm. I order another drink. The bartender looks like an Abercrombie and Fitch model (and the punters too). All the girls inside are impossibly blond and tall. Miniskirts and cut off leather jackets seem to be de rigueur in Stockholm this season. I’m slightly embarrassed at my total lack of Swedish, so I just speak in English to everyone. The locals don’t seem to mind. Behind the velvet ropes of Stockholm’s Cafe Opera, I’m in a kind of parallel universe; a Scandi-America where everyone speaks perfect English while tripping the 3am light fantastic and moonlighting for modeling agencies. It’s like a Lars von Trier movie on prozac. If Berlin is “poor and sexy”, Stockholm is “sexy and it knows it”.

Stockholm 3AM Sun: We're Sexy and we Know It

Moose Burgers and Stockholm Syndrome

My evening had started rather interestingly with an excellent plate of Moose Burger. The Swedes call it elk, but it’s a bit like calling deer meat venison. We were at the restaurant of the Hotel Hellsten. The moose burger was wonderfully moist and not gamy at all. We then enjoyed a few drinks at the hotel bar, which is decorated with African masks and gorgeous black and white Leica photographs of African tribesmen and 1970’s London Punks.  It was a gorgeous Nordic summer night so we decided to head down towards the waterfront. As we passed Stockholm’s trendiest bars and cafes, our minder pointed out an elegant hotel from which emanated cool lounge chill out music. “Welcome to the location of the Stockholm Syndrome”  she said as we walk trough the lobby bar as the DJ spun “The Best of Hotel Costes”.  “It’s called the Nobis hotel now”, continued our minder, “It used to be a bank back in the day, this is where the infamous 1973 bank robbery and hostage crisis occurred. It’s a big favorite among our American visitors, they all want to stay at the ‘Stockholm Syndrome hotel’. We call it ‘kidnapping chic’.” Of course, this is Sweden, even their bank robbers are nice.

Visit Stockholm

Even though Stockholm is compact enough to explore by foot, we decided to use the services of Visit Stockholm. This is a great way of getting the best out of the city as their guides have inside information and very interesting stories about historical events (yes, Abba owns a bar in Stockholm, yes there is an IKEA store just outside of town, no, Ace of Base is not a national treasure in Sweden). Visit Stockholm offers a range of tours, from “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” to a boat ride to the lakeside Royal Palace. What we didn’t know then was that they are also quite fond of white knuckle rides.

The first stop of our Stockholm tour was a courthouse in the old town, but we were not there to walk its gilded corridors, we were there to walk on its roof. The guide was very enthusiastic and friendly as she distributed helmets and strapped on our harnesses. My head was still sore from just one hour of sleep and hours of midnight sun at the Café Opera (perhaps not the best conditions for rooftop walking), but I soldiered on. The roof has a catwalk with a railing onto which we were to clasp our safety lines. The view was spectacular. The spires of the old town gleamed in the midday sun as we attempted to walk atop the roof without falling. “Don’t worry”, said the guide, “we haven’t lost anyone yet”. My legs were shaking a bit towards the end due to the catwalk having a sheer eight stories drop onto an interior courtyard. We all made it in one piece and even though I would not do it again, I was quite glad that I actualy managed to do it.

Stockholm Roof-top Walk

Vassa Museum  & Gamla Stan

Our next stop was the Vassa museum. Stockholm’s world famous shipwreck that was raised from the muddy bottom of the Baltic sea into permanent exhibition. The ship is absolutely massive, all varnished wood and two rows of cannons. It looks a bit like a 17^th century version of Noah’s Ark, you half expect to see elephants and lions stepping off its massive hull. It’s easy to imagine it as a huge ghost ship. Its eerie beauty offers a warning to the ages. The mighty battleship only floated for 20 minutes in 1628 before rolling over and sinking for centuries. It lay lost under the Baltic mud for over 300 years until a local fisherman and the Swedish Navy pulled it up. Now its a beautiful symbol of the city and to human endurance.

That evening our Visit Stockholm guide took us for a walk of the old town (Gamla Stan). Stockholm has one of the best preserved old towns in Europe: Beautiful cobblestoned streets, centuries old buildings, narrow alleyways. Every corner of the old town has a story; be it the beheading of several noblemen in the main square, or the street where the town’s executioner lived. We dined in a Viking themed restaurant. It was a bit gimmicky, but the food and the décor were as historically accurate as possible and the waiters all looked and acted like real Vikings (whatever it is real Vikings act like).

Gamla Stan

Stockholm Archipelago & Grinda Island

We met our guide by the docks early the next morning. She promised us a boat ride to Grinda Island in the Stockholm archipelago. What she didn’t mention was that the boat was an oversized dingy with a powerful outdoor motor. I started to get a bit worried when I saw six pairs of survival suits laid on the planks of the dock. “The Baltic is a bit cold” the guide explained (right after confirming that she wouldn’t join us on the boat ride). We struggled into our suits and then the ‘Captain’ (also dressed in survival suit) distributed goggles. We sat in saddle seats and held on to the railings for dear life. The boat ride started smoothly enough; Stockholm’s waterfront passed by as we skirted massive cruise ships. We were soon racing along beautiful weekend homes on small islands as the boat started to catch speed. The captain stepped on it and we rushed over the gray waters of the Baltic like a bat out of hell. The boat jumped several feet in the air with every wave and landed with a splash. I was really glad we were given goggles. The Baltic splashed coldly onto our faces as we held on for dear life. The water felt like hitting concrete after every jump. After a 45 minute white knuckle ride we slowed down into an inlet. We could see couples sipping beers and conversing on a beachfront bar. We had finally reached Grinda Island.

As close as Grinda is to Stockholm, it’s worlds apart from the city’s modernity. There are no cars on Grinda; the only way to get around is on foot. The island has miles of trails, scented pine trees and secluded coves that offer breathtaking views of the Stockholm archipelago. The place evokes the coast of Maine or the rugged shores of Northern California. Vacation cabins dot the island, where you can stay with friends and relax. We walked into the main hotel. It’s an old manor house from the late 19^th century with a wonderful terrace restaurant with great views of the Baltic. There is a cozy bar inside and a roaring fireplace for the evening chill. We sat in the terrace to enjoy the view as sailboats bobbed in the marina below. The 26 year old chef gave us the specials of the day as the day trippers came in from the marina for dinner. As we ordered drinks, we could not help but be captivated by the beauty of the moment and we were all glad to suffer from Stockholm syndrome.

Stockholm Grinda Island

How to get there: AirBerlin offers smooth same day connection to Stockholm via Berlin from six US gateways: Miami, Fort Myers, New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Where to Stay: Hotel Hellsten for its quaint traditional rooms, quirky bar and Moose burgers.  The Clarion Hotel Sign for its sleek Scandinavian design, rooftop bar and black toilet paper.

When to go: Summers are magnificent. The sun practically doesn’t set and everyone is in a great mood. Fall and spring are great too. Winters can be bitter cold and the Baltic Sea freezes over.

* Max Milano is a travel writer and the author of  “The Mechanicals of Recoleta”Available at Amazon

Book Your Flights to Berlin on AirBerlin and Discover the Most Uniquely Fascinating City in Europe this Summer

By Max Milano *

(The Traveler That Came in From the Cold)

I’m crossing tonight. The Trabby rolls by the Friedrichstrasse in the dark, will the Vopos see through my bluff?  I can see the famous sign ahead: “You are entering the American sector”. I’m at Checkpoint Charlie.

Checkpoint Charlie

(Checkpoint Charlie)

I’m crossing now. Almost into West Berlin, just a few more steps to go. A man approaches, my pulse quickens, have the Vopos (Volkspolizei) finally caught on? The strange man is standing next to me now; he’s wearing jeans, Nike trainers and a Gore-Tex jacket. “Where’s the McDonalds” He asks in a thick Texas drawl. I point to the bright lights behind him. The McDonalds is on the West Berlin side of the Friedrichstrasse. The man smiles and walks back where he came from. I’ve crossed. The Checkpoint Charlie cabin is unmanned at this time of the night. The cold war is long over, the Berlin wall torn down 23 years ago and the only Vopos guarding the East Berlin side of Checkpoint Charlie are actors posing for tourists. But still, crossing Checkpoint Charlie at night, when all the uniformed actors have gone home for the evening and the creeping shadows bring back memories of the bad old days, it’s quite easy to imagine oneself as a desperate character from “The Spy Who Came in From the Cold” trying to cross  no man’s land before the bright searchlights cut you down.

Currywurst

The Trabbi comes back; it is painted in a strange giraffe pattern, part of a convoy on a “Trabby Safari” (the only way to ride in a Trabby in Berlin nowadays).  I walk deeper into the former West Berlin. There is a currywurst restaurant on the west side of Checkpoint Charlie. I go up to the street counter and order one. I’ve heard so much about currywurst since my arrival in Berlin. The man behind the counter cuts a German sausage in 4 or 5 pieces and sprinkles curry powder on top, followed by a generous dosage of tomato ketchup. The sausage has a nice crispy skin and the curry gives the tomato ketchup an exotic twist. I wonder how curry became a Berlin staple. I later find out that it’s a legacy of the Berlin Airlift, when West Berlin was starving under a communist blockade. The only lifeline was provided by American and British military cargo airplanes flying from Frankfurt into West Berlin’s Tempelhof airport. The cargo planes had only ten minutes to land, unload their cargo and take off back to Frankfurt, so the military had to invent air traffic control in order to handle all the flying logistics. And since the only food available in West Berlin during the blockade was whatever the Brits and Americans could fly in, the inventive Germans created a new dish: Currywurst. As I finish my curried sausage I begin to understand that Berlin is a city that has been shaped by history like no other. Its historic scars have only just begun to heal and are still quite visible. This is something that Berliners embrace every day in the shabby chic way they have restored East Berlin. Forget the BMW gleam of Bavaria, or Frankfurt’s glass and steel bank towers, the reconstructed East Berlin shows its cracks proudly. Berlin is a city with a lot of personality, a city that is very cool, and knows it. In two words: A hipster paradise.

Brandenburg Gate…and Hip Hop Artists?

(Brandenburg Gate…and Hip Hop Artists?)

Where Hipsters Go to Heaven

If you are a tourist today in Berlin you will spend most of your time in the former East Berlin. Most of the historical buildings are all located there. Take a stroll along the trendy shops and cafes of the Mitte district. Walk into the side alleys and be rewarded by Berlin’s wonderful interior courtyards, full of cafés, design studios and independent cinemas. Berlin is also a city of art galleries: Collectors from all over the world come to sip a glass of Prosecco as they browse the works of the hippest artists working today, like Marcel van Eeden, currently exhibiting at Galerie Zink. The best way to hit all the coolest galleries, art cinemas and small cafes is to do a Berlin Art Tour. These walking tours with a local guide organized by Go Art! Berlin will let you discover the gritty-trendy side of the former east-Berlin, now reborn as a hipster heaven. Most walking tours culminate in a traditional beer garden, where you can sample Berlin’s amazing brews. Berlin is also a clubber’s paradise. Most clubs are located inside former East Berlin factories and offer speakeasy style entrances so that only in the know hipsters show up.

Hip Berlin

U2: Zoo Station

When in Berlin do as the locals do and get a subway pass. Berlin’s U-Bahn and S-Bahn are run on the honor system, so no annoying lines or turnstiles; you simply walk onto the platform and board your train. You can visit most of the main tourist sites like the Brandenburg gate, the Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie, Potzdamer Platz, Museum Island and Alexanderplatz using the subway. The system is very easy to use and each line is tagged as U2, U5, S5 and so on. The S lines are above ground and the U lines underground. Trams complete the system, making it possible to go anywhere in the city, east or west, in speedy comfort. Zoo station, in the heart of the former West Berlin, may no longer be the Times Square of Berlin (the tourist center of town has moved east to Alexanderplatz), but the western part of the city still offers a radical contrast of high end shops and malls versus the more bohemian eastern quarters.

U2: Zoo Station

Bike Berlin

Berlin is flat, so one of the best ways to explore the city and get all the historical tidbits (from the cold war to World War 2) is to go on a bicycle tour. You can book one from Fat Tire Bike Tours in Alexanderplatz. Their knowledgeable guides will guide you through Berlin’s often turbulent but always interesting history, including the site of Hitler’s underground bunker and the last remaining segments of the Berlin wall.

In Berlin, by the Wall

A River Runs Through It

The River Spree snakes its way along Berlin. One of the best ways to appreciate the hidden charms of the city is to go for a jog or a walk along the river. Berlin can be a city of un-charming apartment blocks built during the DDR period, but as you approach the river, quaintness is restored, riverside cafes appear, and cute facades reveal themselves. Follow the river as it moves along the neo classical lines of Museum Island and trough the ultra-modern government quarter. A half day boat tour can reveal this beautiful side of Berlin, allowing for stops along the way to explore the sites.

It’s time to come in from the cold and discover Berlin, a city like no other in the world.

How to get there: AirBerlin offers nonstop flights to Berlin from six USA gateways: New York, Miami, Fort Myers, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Where to Stay: The Titanic Comfort Hotel offers all the comforts of a business hotel with an ideal location between Alexanderplatz and Potsdamer Platz.

When to go: Spring, summer and fall are ideal. Winters can be bitterly cold.

Next Week: Summer in Stockholm and Going Mad for the Med in Majorca.

* Max Milano is the Author of  “The Mechanicals of Recoleta”Available at Amazon

Have an Air Berlin trilogy this summer with new routes to Berlin, Stockholm and Palma de Mayorca and discover the best of Europe for less.

By Max Milano *

Air Berlin is now offering the best of Europe this summer from its six USA gateways: New York, Fort Myers, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami and San Francisco. This means that Americans now have access to the best European beach resorts and cultural capitals with smooth, same day connections in Berlin or Dusseldorf. What I like about Air Berlin is that they make it possible to fly into formerly hard to reach Mediterranean beach resorts or into that hard to get European city of your dreams with just one connecting stop. Thus making a summer break in Majorca, Ibiza or Stockholm just a little bit more irresistible and a lot more affordable and convenient.

The Air Berlin Trilogy: Berlin, Stockholm & Majorca

This Summer Air Berlin is celebrating the midnight sun in Stockholm, the culture and cuisine of Berlin and the sun, sand, sea and paellas of Majorca.

Berlin
Berlin has inspired countless artists and writers for generations; Lou Reed, David Bowie, John Le Carre and even The Sex Pistols have all paid homage to the city and it’s easy to understand why. Berlin has risen from the ashes of history and painless division to become the European capital of culture. Visit the Brandenburg Gate, explore the cultural treasures of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Museumsinsel (Museum Island), enjoy the bustle of Alexanderplatz and take in the history lesson of Checkpoint Charlie. Do the techno clubs and trendy lounges of the former East Berlin and take a relaxing stroll “under the linden trees”. Uncover Berlin, the German capital awaits.

Berlin: Have a Holiday in the Sun

Fly to Berlin for Less on Air Berlin

Stockholm
Stockholm is a lot more than just IKEA and ABBA (way more). Stockholm is not your typical city: Situated on 14 islands connected by more than 50 bridges, over 60 percent of it consists of waterways, parks and green spaces. So get ready to inhale some fresh Swedish air. Enjoy Stockholm’s midnight Sun this summer when beer gardens open through the well lit midnight. The city has everything you need for a sophisticated Nordic getaway: World class shopping, fantastic nightlife, greats museums (even the subway is a work of art), plenty of nature, a gorgeous old town (Gamla Stan) and even The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Discover the trendiest city in Scandinavia: Discover Stockholm.

Stockholm: A lot more than Ikea and Abba

Fly to Stockholm for Less on Air Berlin

Majorca
Thousands of European tourists can’t be wrong. The time has come for Americans to discover the charms of Majorca and the Balearic islands. Located in the balmy Mediterranean, Spain’s Balearic chain have been charming Europeans Holidaymakers for decades. Visit Palma de Mallorca, the largest city on the island of Majorca. Palma’s beautiful weather and rich cultural heritage, evidenced by its wondrously diverse architectural styles, make it one of the most picturesque destinations in the Mediterranean. Visit the vast grounds of La Seu Cathedral, the lush gardens of Ca’n Fontirroig and the ancient Banys Àrabs (Arab baths). For the best beachside experience, check out Playa de Palma in El Arenal for warm sands and mild surf, sure to put your mind at ease. Make Mallorca your 2012 summer travel destination and have a Balearic of a time.

Majorca: Have a Balearic time

Fly to Palma de Mallorca for Less on Air Berlin

Stay tuned during the next weeks for my “on the ground” travel report from Berlin, Stockholm and Palma de Mallorca, courtesy of AirBerlin: The No. 1 Choice for Travel to Europe.

* Max Milano is the Author of  “The Mechanicals of Recoleta”Available at Amazon