Nov 2008

Snowy, rainy, freezing cold and grey. Regardless of the season or weather conditions, Amsterdam is always full of people - locals on bikes and distracted tourists crashing with bikers. I was of course the second one, clumsy tourist with her nose in her map walking on bike paths instead of sidewalks. I seriously think I was being protected by some force majeure which stopped me from being run over a zillion bikes!

This time Amsterdam welcomed me with just a few Celsius degrees above zero and a freezing drizzle. It didn’t stop me, however, from going out of the apartment I was staying at and exploring the city. What amazed me was the outstanding amount of people who, just like me, seemed not to care about these rather harsh weather conditions. I’m lucky, I thought, it’s not summer. Otherwise I would most definitely be run over by one of the million bikes locals use even more during summer months.

Winter in Amsterdam definitely has its charm. Even though my hands were freezing and I had to break icicles that grew out of my nose numerous times, I was enjoying a wintery magical scenery of Amsterdam. During my one-and-a-half-day-stay in Amsterdam, I haven’t visited many regular tourist spots, but decided to purchase a 24 hours I Am Amsterdam card which gave me several discounts on transportation, museums and tours.

Since my trip was a last minute thing and I was driving from nearby Brussels, I wanted to book a hostel one day before. I actually found a really charming "PhilDutch" houseboat located right in the center of the city and thought it would be quintessential for my stay in a “canal city” but it wasn’t available on the last moment, so I had to call my friend from Amsterdam and convince him to let me stay in his tiny apartment. My friend ended up giving me the keys to his apartment as it surely would not fit me, my boyfriend and him.

As much as I loved his generosity of letting us stay at his place, I couldn’t believe how much people are willing to sacrifice. I guess it’s similar to New York, where people pay 1,000 dollars for a room of a size of my closet just to live in Manhattan. The apartment I stayed in consisted of one very tiny living room, kitchen slash shower and a toilet behind the sliding doors. Very steep ladder lead to a rather claustrophobic attic with a mattress and no windows.

There was also a heater which is another story. My friend educated us on how to use it and even executed this knowledge by conducting a small test. I wasn’t surprised though. To turn on the heater, you had to light up a fire by following a rather complicated procedure. It worked though and at 4 am I had to go down the steep ladder to turn it off, it was so hot! Another thing I found funny were… mice. When I told my friend that we bought bread for breakfast, he said I should guard it in the microwave; otherwise it will be consumed by mice. I actually thought he was just joking until I came back to his apartment at night and discovered his bread in a microwave. As you can imagine, I burst out laughing.

So, besides enjoying the Christmassy atmosphere of Amsterdam, we also took a night boat cruise. It ended up being a really nice experience, mostly because the boat was heated and we could learn some historic facts about the city’s architecture and canals. One of the things I remembered was the story about hooks that every Amsterdam house has to be able to place furniture in it through windows due to very steep and narrow staircase.

We took almost the whole day visiting the Van Gogh museum that I found excellent. Except of Van Gogh’s works, it also displayed several world-famous works of other impressionists. Van Gogh’s paintings were showcased along with his biography which made us understand better his inspirations and motives. The biggest attraction of the museum, however, was the weather outside. I’m guessing snow in Amsterdam is not as frequent and all the tourists gathered by the museum’s windows to take photos of this nature’s phenomenon.

We ended our stay with a visit to an Italian restaurant La Madonna which was full of hungry foreigners just like us. Service was excellent and food even better. After some Minestrone soup, garlic bread and pasta with salmon, we couldn’t wish for more. Although we were stuck in an hour-long traffic just outside Amsterdam, the beautiful image of snow-capped bikes and white cobblestone streets of this magical city had me smiling all night long.

The City by the Bay. There's only one place that could refer to - San Francisco. This historic city offers so much to see and do, I could visit it again and again without growing tired of it.

San Francisco has a lively and fascinating history. Originally settled as a fishing village, it was transformed almost overnight into a fabulous city thanks to the '49ers. No, not the football team--the delirious hopefuls who rushed here from across the country when gold was discovered in 1849. The city has been attracting folks from across the country ever since. During the Internet revolution, a number of newly minted business tycoons chose this California city as their home, particularly in the tony Nob Hill area. This change over time has resulted in a fascinating mix of modern and Victorian architecture which is so unique to San Francisco and which I simply loved photographing.

I think that the constantly growing and changing population which has helped this city evolve into a veritable melting pot of cultures makes it so similar to my favorite New York. Just like in the Big Apple, many people of different nationalities I met are pleased to call San Francisco home.

One of the best things about my stay in San Francisco was my majestic view of the Golden Gate Bridge from my window. People who visit this charming city for the first time absolutely should take a ride on one of the fabled cable cars, which happen to be the only moving National Historic Landmark. For art and history lovers, there are about 65 museums in the city, so no chance to be bored! Relaxing at the Golden Gate Recreational Area was also one of my favorite pastimes.

To be honest I think that my main problem in planning a trip to this bustling city was trying to fit everything in. There is just too much going on! As far as accommodations go, I think it’s best to use Internet and rent an apartment in San Francisco. Mine had the most excellent view and was centrally located. What more could I wish for?

Sitting majestically along the coast of the Florida Panhandle, Destin is without doubt one of the most gorgeous stretches of beaches in the world. A relative newcomer among the popular vacation destinations of the Emerald Coast, this city is fast becoming one of the best places to go for sun, sand, and relaxation along the Gulf of Mexico. In Destin you will find not only the multitude of golf courses and the beautiful beaches but also the abundance of water activities that will keep you coming back year after year.

As a part of the Emerald Coast, Destin is blessed with the same attributes as the other cities that line the southwestern corner of the Florida Panhandle. The beaches have sugar white sand, whose color is caused by the Appalachian quartz that arrives at the coast from the mountains, that is perfect for a stroll along the water or for simply throwing down a towel and catching some sun. The most distinct feature, however, is the sparkling emerald-green water, which creates the area’s namesake hue from the sugar white sand that lies beneath the crystal blue water. Whether you want to build a sandcastle, play in the water, or work on your suntan, the beaches of Destin can accommodate your needs and look amazing doing it.

I think that one of the best places in Destin to swim and simply enjoy an all-around exciting day is Henderson Beach State Park. Located off the Emerald Coast Parkway, this park is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and lays claim to over 6,000 feet of shoreline. While swimming is the most popular activity on the beautiful beach, you can also enjoy a nice picnic lunch in the afternoon or cast out a line on one of the docks. If you want to break up your day and experience more than the water, there are nature trails for hiking and wildlife viewing is not an uncommon activity as dolphins regularly emerge from the waters this area.

Destin features some of the most breathtaking waters in the world and not to take advantage of the numerous water adventures and sports is just a crime. Snorkeling is a popular inshore option since the exceptional water quality makes it easy to catch sight of vibrant yellow angelfish, manta rays, and loggerhead sea turtles. If you want to venture offshore, rent a wave runner for some action-packed excitement on the water and to view the impeccable shoreline of Destin. For those looking for a more calm experience, rent a kayak and create your own adventure by paddling into the open waters and exploring different nooks and crannies.
The Destin area is home to some of the finest year round courses in the country, meaning the hardest part any golf enthusiast’s vacation will be deciding which courses to play.

While enjoying the beach and the emerald-green water of the Gulf of Mexico, it’s great to stay at a private Destin vacation rental. I rent one with my friends and it had a private pool, Jacuzzi and a game room which was excellent for the evenings. It was also great for an easy access to the beach and everything this amazing city has to offer.

Country of the Happiest People in the World

When I look at the travel brochures and sites offering exotic trips to South America, I see Brazil, Argentina and Peru. Almost none of them mentions Colombia. As a person who has lived in Colombia for two years, I can only say one thing - people don’t know what they are missing.

When asked about Colombia, people usually refer to stereotypes that have been spread by media years ago. Not many people know, however, that this image has been gradually changing over the past decade creating the new Colombia, the country of the happiest people in the world, who are opened for tourists and wanting to share their rich cultural heritage.

Natural Diversity

Nestled in the North Western tip of South America, Colombia is the only country of this continent that has access to both, the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. It is also blessed with extremely diverse topography and has everything a traveler can imagine. From the magnificent sugary white beaches of both, the Pacific and Caribbean coasts to enchanting colonial villages and breathtaking greenery of its mountains, in Colombia we will find it all.

Adventure Travel

One of the things that fascinated me about Colombia is that how sophisticated is its offer for adventurous travelers. Those who like adrenaline, can choose among paragliding, rafting, rock climbing, mountain biking and hiking, to name just a few. Companies like Somos Aventureros organize expeditions for fearless adventurers who enjoy extreme sports.

People of Colombia

Those of you, who have met a Colombian person before, must know that Colombians are extremely easy to make friends with. Not only are they friendly and easy-going, but they also love to educate people about their country. Whenever they are abroad, they always have “Colombian goods” with them such as original handmade jewelry, little bracelets with Colombian flag and typical sweets which they give you as a souvenir. As a result my room is already filled with little ceramic “chivas” (typical Colombian colorful bus) and handmade bags (mochillas).

Must sees

Even though I’ve lived in Colombia for two years, it wasn’t enough to explore all this beautiful country has to offer. These are the places that should be on everyone’s must-see list when traveling to Colombia:

Colombian Coast

Some of the finest beach vacation rentals and resorts of Colombia are located on the Caribbean coast. Such cities as Santa Marta, Cartagena and Barranquilla lure tourists with their tropical settings, live events and colonial architecture. Perhaps one of the places that captivated my heart the most was Cartagena. This ancient walled fortress city offers a fascinating Old Town, exquisite Caribbean restaurants and unique atmosphere. Visit to nearby Islas del Rosario is a must. It is an archipelago of 25 small coral islands that recently have been declared a national park, where tourists can enjoy snorkeling, diving and traditional Colombian dishes.

For most of Europeans, Mallorca or Egypt are the closest “exotic” destinations to travel too. That’s why I think Colombians are lucky, as about 300 miles north of their Caribbean coast they have the islands of San Andres and Providence. No need to go to Hawaii. Long white beaches and excellent mouthwatering seafood can be found right on those Colombian islands.

The Coffee Zone

Stretched among three Colombian regions of Quindio, Risaralda and Caldas is the famous Coffee region (Eje Cafetero) which is a true dreamland for every photographer (at least me). Located about 100 miles west of Bogota, the coffee region is recognized as a source of the best coffee in the world. It lures tourists with beautiful, green rolling hills, venerable coffee farms and shimmering coffee bushes. It’s here you can taste the best aromatic coffee in the world, visit charming towns such as Montenegro and Salento and stay at one of the amazing colonial, privately owned “fincas” (farms).

The Tayrona National Park

Located on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, The Tayrona National Park is considered one of the wildest and most beautiful corners of South America. Nestled between the Caribbean Sea and the majestic Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta, Tayrona Park is roughly 58 square miles and has one of the most diverse biological coastal zones of the Americas. While walking through the park you can see titi monkeys, red squirrels, collared peccaries, jaguars and about 200 species of birds including toucans and red woodpeckers. The white mountain tops of Sierra Nevada combined with palm beaches and footpaths through the jungle make this place truly unique and worth visiting.

Bogota

Bogota, Colombia’s capital, will always remain one of my favorite cities in the world. Located at 2,640 meters (8,661 feet), Bogota is a modern city surrounded by green rolling hills and filled with countless attractions. Colonial architecture, some of the best salsa parties in the world, fascinating museums and beautiful verdant parks make Bogota what it is. The city focused on people, the city that offers a huge variety of activities and events to attend. It’s just impossible to be bored in Bogota!

Personally, Bogota reminds me just a little of my favorite New York. Maybe it’s because of its yellow cabs and city map divided on Avenues and Streets. Maybe it’s also about its amazing variety and contrast. Or maybe it’s simply the sentiment I have for both of them.