Fun for Everyone in Carlsbad California

Cathie Arquilla, writer for GoNOMAD, recently vacationed in Carlsbad, California with her young children and elderly parents. Despite the age differences everyone had fun in this beach town. Read about Cathie's vacation in her article; A Three-Generation Vacation in Carlsbad, California.

"After contacting Franky Laney of the Carlsbad Visitors Bureau, I had a good idea of what we all might enjoy in the home of Legoland, and most recently, the Flying Tomato (Shaun White, the 2006 Olympic snowboarding gold medalist).

As an RCI timeshare owner, my mother had arranged for us to stay at Grand Pacific Palisades. This hotel and timeshare resort with “Wow” views of the Pacific Ocean is situated just above the The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch. The resort covers more than 12 acres and has an Olympic size pool, a family pool with adjoining children’s waterpark, and a fitness center. There are 161 vacation villas (timeshares) in addition to a 90-room hotel.

A ten-minute drive on Highway 101 brought us from Carlsbad to Oceanside. Neighboring Camp Pendleton Marine Base, once a honky-tonk beach town, Oceanside, also boasts the longest wooden pier on the West Coast. The Pier represented a lengthy walk for my 83-year-old Dad and my 6-year-old son, so they embarked on a seek-and-explore mission of the fisherman’s catch that lined the edge of the pier in big white containers. The surfers, paddling, riding, falling, paddling, riding, falling, also mesmerized my son, James."

The Two Sides of Cyprus

The politically divided island of Cyprus has seen its share of visitors and invaders. When GoNOMAD editor Max Hartshorne visited the country, he was able to view Greek, Roman and Turkish architecture and artifacts, as well as gain insight into the long-standing feud between the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus that divide the island into two countries. His article, Cyprus: More than Divided, delves into this history, into the beauty of the island itself and the attractions Cyprus has to offer.

"Cyprus is a prosperous land where the average income is about $25,000 per year, the highest per capita wage in the region. Cyprus is in the midst of a major building boom.

Everywhere you look there are maisonettes, villas and condos being built or advertised for sale. From the look at the nation in 2006, they are poised for a huge growth in foreign investment and visitors. Great Britain leads the way with over half of the 2 million visitors who come each year. But few Americans come to Cyprus, owing perhaps to fears about its location near Syria, the long flight over and because it is not as affordable as some other hot destinations such as Croatia and Slovenia.

But Cyprus is a unique destination and few other places offer so much scenery, history and fine food in a compact land area.

Nicosia, the capital city, is also known as Lefkosia, its Turkish name. During our visit to Nicosia, we went through the Laiki Yitonia (pedestrian quarter) where there is a platform overlooking the UN Green Line which separates the Turkish from the Greek part of the city.

"The last divided capital city" proclaims a sign at the gate where tourists can peer into the Turkish-controlled side of town. We took an elevator up eleven floors to the observation tower overlooking the north. Through binoculars we saw a former cathedral that was converted into a mosque with twin minarets and Turkish flags flapping in the breeze and Turkish tourists gawking and waving at us from their own observation tower. We waved to the Turks who waved back. It seemed silly to be separated by this decades-old green line."

Rain Rain Go Away

If you live in Vancouver you'll be promised one thing; lot's of rain. That's what makes Vancouver so appealing for hackwriter.com writer Michael Sean Morris. Read about Morris's love of rain in his aptly titled article; Rain.

"Right now it’s raining. I know, I know… It’s Vancouver; it always rains, right? Well, yes, it does rain, and the rain features in the work of a lot of Vancouver writers, but this is different. This isn’t the passive-aggressive drizzle that’s been haunting our fair city 200+ days a year since time began. This is pure aggression, a driving downpour from the heart of a black cloud, which comes on suddenly and turns the street in front of my house into the northernmost arm of the Fraser.

Because it doesn’t happen every day, a rainstorm like this gives you reason to pause, to marvel at the singular phenomenon that makes Vancouver so beautiful. Getting caught in one is the first initiation you’ll get as a Vancouverite, and running out into one on purpose is a sure sign you’ll never be anything else. So after the rain has slowed, and as I’m toweling off, I’m still marveling at something that’s experienced all over the world and yet embraced, culturally, here like no place else. Fortunately, living here, I am not at a loss for words to describe it, though I am careful not to drip all over the very expensive keyboard when I do.

When it rains, whenever it rains, I am instantly reminded why it is that I live here. Today I was re-baptised in the best West Coast fashion, and now that it’s over I am thrilled to have had the privilege."

The Best Food in China

Journeywomen writer Dr. Jane Liedtke learned a lot about the cuisine of China in her many visits to the country. She passes on her tips about the best food in the country in her article She Eats Great Chinese Food In China.

Mongolian Hot Pot
"Hot Pots are a copper or brass pot with coals inside to keep broth boiling. Brought to the table are shaved meats, sliced greens, and noodles (also seafood is available but that is not the traditional hot pot). Mutton is the meat of choice although pork, chicken, and beef available. At your place you will have a bowl of dipping sauce that is a sesame paste and tastes more like peanut butter than anything else. To that a hot chili pepper oil is added to taste - mild to ultimately spicy. The meat is dipped into the pot like fondue and then fished out (with your chopsticks) and into the bowl of sauce. It is a fun way to enjoy a meal by yourself or with friends. Hot Pot restaurants abound so it's often best to ask for one near your hotel.

Peking Duck
Everyone coming to Beijing must have some Peking Duck. Most restaurants have duck (yazi) available so it is really not necessary to go to one of the tourist restaurants. As with anything touristy, you are bound to pay far more than you need to for a multiple course meal with every possible part of the duck served. Near the end of the feast, around course five, you will finally receive the worth-waiting-for duck, pancakes, plum sauce, and scallions. This is actually Beijing’s version of a burrito.

Etiquette:
If you do not want more tea, leave some in your cup.
It is considered rude to tap your chopsticks on the table.
Sauces are for dipping. Do not pour them into your rice bowl
Dropping your chopsticks is considered bad luck.
Do not place your chopstick parallel on the top of your bowl. This, too, is considered bad luck."

The New Glasgow

Glasgow, Scotland has become an up and coming hot-spot. Especially since 1990 when it was named the European City of Culture. Colin Cameron, writer for New York Times Travel, explores Glasgow in his article; Going to Glasgow.

"Over the last two decades, however, Glasgow has been on a steep, upward curve, first with a civic campaign, "Glasgow's Miles Better," which promoted hometown pride in the 1980's, and then in 1990 when it was named the European City of Culture. Creativity and tourist-friendly businesses flourished, helped in part by a large student population. Today, neighborhoods like Merchant City and the West End are buzzing with new bars, clubs, restaurants and shops.

Haggis is avoided by most visitors, but this is a mistake. The peppery dish, made of minced sheep's heart, lungs and liver — and usually served with mashed neeps and tatties (turnips and potatoes) — should be considered a rite of passage. One place to enjoy it is Babbity Bowster in Merchant City (16-18 Blackfriars Street, 44-141-552-5055), which serves a delicious plate of haggis for £4.95.

To experience Scotland's beloved tea ritual, there are few places cuter than Miss Cranston's (33 Gordon Street, 44-141-204-1122), a cafe that bakes some of the city's best crumpets and cakes. Not surprisingly, it is packed around 4 p.m.

Most of the city's museums are free. Among the best are the Burrell Collection, (Pollok Country Park, 2060 Pollokshaws West Road, 44-141-287-2550; http://www.glasgowmuseums.com/), displaying more than 9,000 works of art collected by Sir William Burrell, and the Gallery of Modern Art (Royal Exchange Square, 44-141-229-1996; www.glasgowmuseums.com) with a growing collection of contemporary photography, multimedia and art installations. Likewise, open spaces like the West End's Botanic Gardens and, to the east, Glasgow Green, don't cost a penny to stroll. "

Life in Trinidad

When Escape From America writer Michael Christopher Gutierrez found himself in a rut of depression in America, he moved to Trinidad to find a beautiful place to be alone. Yet the Caribbean island rejuvinated the man and he found himself in the best health of his life and found the happiness he had given up hope on. He shares his story and tips for finding a home in Trinidad in his article Finding Life and Property in Trinidad.

"I rented an apartment for about $US100 per month in south Trinidad in charming Princes Town, a place with only about 25,000 people. It was in the country but a mere twenty minutes from San Fernando, the second largest city in Trinidad and another hour from the capital. It was quiet, no traffic, but people were friendly….and if I craved it, city life was only minutes away!

There were fruit stands sprinkled everywhere and fresh fish and vegetable markets a short walk away from where I was staying. Day by day, I found my health returning to me. I was walking regularly, joined a gym, and my mental outlook began to improve along with my body. After a while fatigue disappeared. Oh boy, I had not felt this good in years; come to think of it I had never, ever felt this good! I even took a part time job as a high school counselor and was enjoying myself so much that I forgot why I came here in the first place. As a result, my plan drastically changed from coming here to die to coming here to “make a comeback!'

After four months I was in the best shape of my life and developed a social network of dear friends and family. Now that I look back at my life, I see how I let myself become consumed with the American culture of fast food and fast living and obsessed with performance, achievement, status and the collection of material objects. All the things that I thought I needed (which ran me into the ground and almost killed me) I no longer wanted. I came to a point where the simple things were all that mattered… family, friends, health and a sense of community and home."

Never a Dull Moment in Taiwan

When Paul Shoul, a writer for GoNOMAD, traveled to Taiwan he was greeted with an abundance of activities to partake in and foods to sample. Read about his Taiwan vacation in his article; Taiwan, Festivals, Fireworks, and Fantastic Food.

"I was there to attend the 2006 Year of the Dog Lantern Festivals in the cities of Kaohsiung, Tainan and Taipei. Considering that the flight from New York takes 18 hours, my four days there was far too short a time. I wanted to stay longer, maybe even move there to live, and definitely wanted to see more of the islands and natural wonders. But I love cities, especially when they love me back.

Heading out from the amazing Tayih Landis Hotel where we were staying, we visited the National Center for Research and Preservation of Cultural Properties which is well worth a stop to learn some history of the city and its traditions. We also toured the Anping fort built by the Dutch in the 1620s on a hill that has a great view of the city.

But the high points of my time in Tainan were spent eating, visiting the temples and dodging rockets. At Chous Shrimp Rolls Restaurant we were treated to an amazing meal. This place is favored by the locals, and was packed. We tried the shrimp, fish ball and Tainan noodle soups, steamed prawns, deep fried oysters, red sticky rice, and a dish called “the coffins.” They are fried pieces of bread arranged in the shape of a coffin, filled with cream sauce and vegetables. The food was inspiring."

Understanding Yeats in Ireland

William Bulter Yeats expert Jennifer Eisenlau found that sometimes the best way to connect with a poem is to see it visualized in the home country of your favorite poet. She had an epiphany about a poem by Yeats at Thoor Ballylee, Yeats' Tower in County Galway. As a further bonus, this Literary Traveler shares the beauty and the poetry of Ireland in her article Go to Know: Yeats' Ireland.

"You got to go there, to know there", wrote Zora Neale Hurston. Although this African-American writer does not automatically evoke Ireland's patron-poet, Hurston's words are a compelling command for any serious student of William Butler Yeats. If you want to truly comprehend the poetry of Yeats, and I mean all of Yeats at his most concretely Irish self, you must visit Ireland. Without seeing, touching, walking -- and even drinking -- in his footsteps, your understanding of this Nobel Prize winner's work will be incomplete.

I had a Joycean epiphany at Thoor Ballylee, Yeats' Tower in County Galway. Yeats and his family lived in Gort from 1917 to 1929. The tower is a 16th century castle fortress that sits along a fast-moving river, near the estate of Lady Gregory, his compatriot in the Celtic Revival. Purchased for £35, Yeats restored the tower to a livable condition. On a wall facing the dirt road, there is a dedication, inscribed into a stone tablet:

I, the poet William Yeats,With old millboards and sea-green slates,

And smithy work from the Gort forge,

Restored this tower for my wife George;

And may these characters remain

When all is ruin once again.

In an instant, my view of Yeats' poems changed. My awakening was profound. Yeats' notes in The Dial (1920) explain that the winding gyre is "the end of an age, which always receives the revelation of the character of the next age...." That concept had been so esoteric in the seminar classroom, and yet in the tower, it became apparent: life is an upward journey built upon our past steps. "So that's what he meant!" I said aloud, to the empty chamber at the tops of the stairs. "

Mayan Ruins on the Yucatán

When it comes to visiting Mayan ruins in Mexico the choices seem endless. Hackwriters.com travel writer Habeeb Salloum discovers two beautiful and not to be missed locations in his journey through the Yucatán. He recommends: Ek Balam and Cobá: Hidden Jewels of Mayan Splendour.

"After driving for about 20 minutes to the north of Valladolid, our bus stopped at the Mayan renovated gate of the ruins of the newly excavated archaeological site of Ek Balam (in Mayan Black Jaguar) - once the capital of a state of 250,000. One of the ultimate jewels of Mayan splendour, the ruins are rarely visited by the thousands of travellers who flock to the land of the Maya. Unlike its sister city, Chichén Itzá, some 30 minutes drive away, Ek Balam has never been overwhelmed with tourists. Quieter and more peaceful than its sister city, it exudes an aura of satisfying pleasure to the few travellers who stroll amid its partially excavated structures.

The city, when compared to other Mayan cities had a long span of life - about a thousand years. Its construction began in 100 B.C. and continued until 900 A.D. From 600 to 900 A.D., Ek Balam, rose to the Pinnacle of glory. Some historians believe that it was still partially inhabited when the Spaniards arrived in the 16th century.

The most important of its uncovered structures is the enormous and elaborate palace/pyramid - a striking sight after driving for miles through the surrounding jungle. The largest restored building in the ruins and one of the largest Mayan structures in the Yucatán, it measures over 151 m ( 495 ft) long, 60 m (197 ft) wide and 30 m (98 ft) high. The structure consists of six levels, added on by different rulers during the centuries. This unique religious-civil edifice was, beside its use for religious ceremonies, the home of governors and the higher classes of society."

Datai Bay, Malaysia

If you're searching for an exotic, magnificent, beach vacation try Datai Bay on the northern coast of Pulau Langkawi, Malaysia. Steenie Harvey, a writer for Escape From America, shares her beach adventure in her article; In search of the perfect beach on the coast of the Andaman sea.

"Although the perfect beach is something of a tourism cliché, Datai Bay, on the north coast of Pulau Langkawi, Malaysia deserves every accolade. Sprinkled with tiny exotic seashells, the sands here really are talcum-powder white. Go out in the early morning, and you can spend ages marveling at the extraordinary patterns the spider crabs have made.

The mesmerizing seascapes make it a battle to even pick up a novel let alone do anything resembling work. On the horizon, jungle-clad limestone formations look like a scroll painting. Your eyes are constantly drawn to the bobbing little boats of anchovy fishermen and sea eagles riding the ocean thermals.

Idling in paradise isn’t the only option, though. The island has three top-class golf courses and three yacht clubs; you can visit the mangroves and go jungle-trekking; explore bat caves and the coral wonderland of the Pulau Payar Marine Park. The twice-weekly night markets are fun, too. It’s a chance to sample hawker food such as satay chicken on skewers, and haggle for trinkets, batik, and wooden carvings.

But Langkawi’s big allure for me is the jungle. If you enjoy back-to-nature experiences, it’s magical to glimpse hornbills and white-headed Brahminy Kites swooping through the treetops...to come face-to-face with monitor lizards...to hear the nighttime chorus of croaking frogs. The island is also home to strange “flying snakes” (non-poisonous), fox bats, colugas (gliding lemurs), and a host of other wildlife including kingfishers, muntjac deer, and black leaf monkeys.

And you don’t have to get all sweaty by going on a trek to see these creatures. Some of Langkawi’s resort hotels are backed by jungle. If I’d been tied to the balcony in the Andaman Hotel, I wouldn’t have complained—watching a monitor lizard amble past, I felt like I was in the middle of a Discovery Channel wildlife program. (Tip: never leave your balcony doors or windows open—not unless you wish to share your room with rampaging macaque monkeys.)"

The Mount Holyoke Range

A great travel article can make you rethink about the beauty in your own backyard. After spending four years in the Pioneer Valley in Western Massachusetts, reading Boston Globe travel writer Eric Goldscheider's article Broad Perspectives, I have a new desire to hike the Mount Holyoke Range.

"The second half of the hike brought us into some new ecosystems, grassier and more open. It also brought a faster succession of ups and downs and a faster succession of outlook points, each with a new angle on the world below.

A small box attached to a tree contained a ''trail diary" and a pen in a zip-locked plastic bag. One entry from a few days earlier was from a parent ''hiking the trail with the boys, pretending we're Native Americans surveying our land." Another was from 45- and 50-year-old siblings who had hiked the trail together 30 years ago and were back to ''build new memories."

At the bottom of the last descent, we crossed the access road to the Summit House. On our last climb, we passed grills and picnic tables arrayed on a partially cleared slope. There is also a memorial to a 10-member Air Force crew that crashed on the mountain on May 27, 1944. The exact location isn't given because some of the remains were never found.

Many artists and writers, including Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Henry W. Longfellow, came to seek inspiration from and spread their praises for this dramatic perspective on the land, no doubt contributing to its popularity. Jenny Lind, the Swedish opera star who was also a pop culture figure, dubbed this mountaintop the ''paradise of America."

Viking Explorations

GoNOMAD senior travel editor Kent E. St. John embarked on a journey around Norway on a route over 100 years old. His trip, however, included modern touches like warm jacuzzis for the cold winter nights and delicious dinners to enjoy before watching the majesty of the northern lights. His whole trip is described in Norway's Viking Voyage: The Hurtigruten .

"The MS Finnmark’s cabin 603 had became my home as well as a place to view vistas that simply cannot be found elsewhere. This isn’t a typical cruise and is indeed a voyage, one that will bring out the Viking explorer in anyone, even with heated tile floors in the bathroom.

My voyage took me from Norway’s second largest city, Bergen, to Kirkenes on the border with Russia and Finland. The route dates from 1893 when it was the only connection for people and trade, and it still is a ferry and goods route. Unlike most who travel it in summer or “under the midnight sun” I was in search of the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights. I wasn’t disappointed.

I set a routine that I followed for the rest of the journey, starting with standing on the deck topside and watching the city slip past. That frequently lasted quite a long time as the scenery just continued to get better and better. As soon as the sunset concluded, a long affair, it was off to the sauna and finally to the outdoor jacuzzi. If planned right that was just about the time the sky lit up with stars."

A Walk through a River of Flowers

Each year residents of Civita di Bagnoregio, Italy participate in La Infiorata; The Feast of Our Lady of Lubriano. The celebration is marked by covering the town's only street with flower petals. Diana Armstrong, a writer for Travel Insights, shares her experience of this wonderful day in her article; La Infiorata- A River of Flowers.

"Tomorrow is Sunday and the Feast of Our Lady of Lubriano, known among people in the area as La Infiorata. For the past 250 years, on the sixth Sunday after Easter, Lubriano's residents have been celebrating by covering their one and only street with flower petals, transforming the charcoal granite main steet into a dizzy artist's palette. Spring blossoms will decorate the paving for a quarter mile of the 11th century church of San Giovanni Battista to the 17th century chapel of Santa Maria del Poggio. From year to year the priest and people will come and go but constancy remains in La Infiorata. The colors of spring, like a river, flow through time.

How lucky we are to be here ahead of the advance guard of toursits. It is almost impossible to think that none of them know about this beautiful hamlet and its spectacular location. Three years ago, my Husband David and I bought part of a 16th century Jesuit monastery. We have it in condominio with a retired Italian couple, the Medoris. The fast-talking, highly energetic wife, tells me, I think I discern, that tomorrow are two families are responsible for entirely covering our 60 feet of combined road fronatge with petals and blossoms. We have never been here in May before. The Medoris are one of the four big families in town. They can call in brothers, sisters, children, nieces, and cousins living in the general area as re-enforcements to scour the surrounding hills for buds and blossoms. We, on the other hand, would have to call five different cities in the US for a troop deployment of la famiglia."

A Trip to Sudan?

Sudan has been in the news a great deal lately for the genocide taking place in Darfur. Yet the war in Sudan has been going on for years. Freelance journalist, and WorldHum writer, Wendy Knight visited the war-torn country in 2004 and found her transition from travel writer to war correspondent to be a painful yet enlightening process. She tells about her experience in her article The Burden of War.

"I flinched whenever the Sudanese referred to me as a journalist, having come to Sudan on an impulse, really, and a vague notion of what I’d find. Bobby and I, who had met through mutual friends in Wyoming, primarily toiled in adventure travel—he is a photographer, I am a freelance writer. When I approached him with an idea for a story about rowing on the Kenyan coast, he suggested Sudan, where he had been working on a photo essay about the war. His rundown of the long-standing conflict fascinated me. I was eager to write about something of consequence and figured I wouldn’t have difficultly interesting an editor in a story when I returned.

I anticipated plenty of despair in Sudan, but I hadn’t expected to encounter it so intimately. Despite a 2002 cease fire that had been signed by the government of Sudan and the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army, the rebel group that controls much of the south, the government had unloaded three cluster bombs on this tiny village in southern Sudan, killing three, injuring several others and prompting the temporary evacuation of the ex-pat aid workers with GOAL, a Dublin-based aid organization that operates health clinics in the region.

The decades-long north-south conflict in Sudan is multifaceted—Arab vs. African, Muslim vs. Christian, nomad vs. farmer—but above all, it seems, it is about oil. The bombing of makeshift markets, feeding centers and relief planes is part of the government’s methodical campaign to displace black Africans—Dinka, Nuer and other tribes—from their homes near the oil fields, or to eradicate them altogether. Similar tactics are now being deployed in Darfur, in Western Sudan, where the issues are different but no less complex."

Skiing Down the French Alps

If you love to ski, participate in winter sports, or look at beatiful snow-filled landscapes, the French Alps is a great place to visit. Wendy Hammerle, a writer for GoNOMAD.com, gives a detailed account of her vacation in the French Alps in her article; Snowplowing My Way Through the French Alps.

"I spent the first morning snowplowing down a beginners' slope at Alpe-D Huez, a big resort about an hour and a half drive from Grenoble. Alpe-D Huez, which in the summer is famous for being a stop on the Tour de France, is linked to several other resorts for a total of 152 miles (245 km) of ski trails and 84 lifts.

This means there are absolutely no lift lines and plenty of room to practice without worrying about getting clobbered by somebody zooming down the hill behind you. We were there in early March and happily avoided the crowds that show up in December and February during European school vacations. Under the watchful eye of a very patient ski instructor, I progressed slowly and survived my only wipeout without breaking any bones.

Lodging choices in Alpe D’Huez include dozens of chalet-style hotels. When we arrived at The Hotel Royal Ours Blanc, cranky and jetlagged, the smell of a sweet burning wood fire in the lobby made us feel human again. We got breakfast, a room with a balcony and a view that belongs in National Geographic.

Our next stop was Megève, an old Alpine ski village of cobbled streets, stone bridges and horse drawn carriages. About an hour from Geneva, Megève has a large pedestrian-only center lined with pricey skiwear shops, bakeries, and chocolate shops. Despite its reputation for being somewhat high end, I found the people in Megève to be warm and helpful."

Dining in Peru

New York Times Travel writer ANN MARIE GARDNER discovers that in Peru, the hottest spot to be might just be in a restaurant. The unique blends of food that make up Peruvian dining are delicious and the scene at the cafes is vibrant. Her article begs the question Who Needs Clubs When Everyone Is at the Cafe?

"In a country where the restaurant scene is in full gastronomic swing, La Mar, in the prosperous district of Miraflores, is the most exciting new spot, embodying a cuisine that is bringing together disparate ethnic influences both on the dinner plate and in a new national pride. The owner is Gastón Acurio, a celebrity chef who also runs the more formal Astrid y Gastón with his wife, Astrid. Perhaps it is because he is the son of a former prime minister and senator, Gastón Acurio Velarde, that Mr. Acurio holds an avid interest in the power of culinary success to bring not only international recognition but also, by extension, a feeling of national identity that can move Peru forward.

"Food is becoming a powerful symbol of what we are, and the most important thing about our food is the mixture," Mr. Acurio said. "We are proud of that mixture now."

The word that describes their mixture of Andean, Spanish, Italian and Asian — in both food and culture — is criollo."The moment we became as proud of what we are as we are of our food," Mr. Acurio said, "is the moment the country can turn."

Eating is the gateway to Lima's social scene, and one day and night, beginning with lunch, is enough to get a feel for the social landscape.In the same way Americans eat sandwiches for lunch, Peruvians eat ceviche (raw fish soaked in lime juice) or other fish. La Mar is a cevichería, one of hundreds in Peru. Like other cevicherías, it is open for lunch but not for dinner. "Seafood is for lunch, " Mr. Acurio said. "A long time ago, you would get sick at night from the raw fish, so it became a habit at night to eat meat and pasta."

Japan Town, San Francisco

San Francisco, aside from being home to China Town, also boasts the more unknown but equally great Japan Town. Bridget Goodman, a writer for bootsnall.com, leads us through Japan Town in her article; Exploring Japan in San Francisco.

"On a recent drive to San Francisco, I had planned to go to the city’s most famous neighborhood, Chinatown. A funny thing happened on the way, though. As I was driving across town, I became distracted by bilingual signs for a neighborhood I hadn’t known existed, Japan Town.

Takara was rated one of the top 100 restaurants in the Bay Area by the San Francisco Gate magazine, but it was a little out of my price range. Instead, I chose the more modest Mifune Don. In the glass case of plastic foods outside Mifune Don, I saw one my Japanese ESL students had told me about - okonomiyaki. Inside, the more detailed menu advertised it as “Japanese style pizza”. My beef and egg okonomiyaki ($8.35) was round and small like a pizza and may have been baked in an oven, but to me it had a consistency more like an omelet than a pizza. It was topped with mayonnaise, a brown sauce that tasted vaguely like a thin barbecue sauce, and shavings of dried (possibly smoked) squid. It may not sound appetizing, but I assure you it was delicious.

After eating lunch and browsing Ichiban Kan, I went across the park to the west side of Nihonmachi. There were many more gift shops and restaurants. Ironically, the most popular restaurant seemed to be the authentic crepe place. Next to it was my treat of the day - Kinokuniya Bookstore. Kinokuniya is a San Francisco branch of a store in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo. As I walked around the aisles looking at the rows of comic books and stories written in Japanese characters, I felt I was back in Asia."

Tour Groups for Older Travelers

When independent traveler Joan Rattner Heilman, writer for The Daily Herald, and her husband decided to visit Tibet and China, they decided for the first time that they might want to join with a tour company. They discovered tour groups specifically geared toward their age range (50-60) and activity level. Despite the "old fogie" stigma, they found that the tour was adventurous, delicious, and energetic. Her article, Step Lively has suggestions for fellow mature travlers looking for an active vacation.

"We signed up with Overseas Adventure Travel, a company offering "active" explorations designed for travelers over the age of 50. It turned out that we were the oldest fogies on the tour and all of us had to step lively. OAT is the younger, peppier sister of Grand Circle Travel, the goliath operator of leisurely escorted tours trips to the ends of the earth for the older crowd. Grand Circle takes up to 40 voyagers at a clip, average age 73.

OAT gets a younger group, mostly in their 50s and 60s, limits the participants to 16, and plans energetic, fast-paced tours for which you must be in good condition. Bad back? Stiff joints? Low energy? Forget about it. We were told in advance that we should be able to walk at least three miles "unassisted" per day, climb up steep and uneven stone steps, negotiate cobbled or dusty streets, tolerate an altitude of 12,000 feet and get up out of our beds very early at least two mornings. Not only that, but we soon learned that we were expected to move right along, no lagging or straggling.

It helped that every tiny detail of the tour was carefully planned and that everything went off exactly as planned. The luggage usually arrived in our rooms before we did, our tickets were always ready, we didn't have to worry about getting lost, drivers never failed to show up on time, our accommodations were clean and comfortable, we could always find the ladies' room (such as it was) and all of it was orchestrated by Stephanie (Chinese name: Liu Lizheng), our gem of a guide."

Touring Fiji without Tourists

The beautiful islands that make up Fiji are a traveler's dream. However, with the popularity of a destination, the crowds of visitors increase. But GoNOMAD's Opinionated Traveler finds the northern islands of Fiji, Vanua Levu and Taveuni offer the same flora, fauna, beaches and weather without the hustle of an international tourist scene. The article Vanau Levu and Taveuni:Fiji's Forgotten North gives insight into what each island has to offer.

"But here, in a country whose population is increasingly dividing into "urban" and "rural" Fijians, is where you'll experience what many will proudly tell you is the real Fiji. Here, the friction between Indian and Fijian that the ill-tempered Paul Theroux mistakenly claims has "destroyed" Fiji is nowhere evident.

At 5,500 square km., Vanua Levu is the second-largest island in the Fiji chain, but despite a couple of luxurious resorts it has none of the international hustle and "sophistication" of Viti Levu. Visitors are still rare enough to be welcomed as guests, and quickly become friends.

Even further off the beaten South Pacific tourist track is Taveuni, just east of Vanua Levu. About 42 km. long and 15 km. wide, dominated by a central spine of volcanic cones, Taveuni is a lushly verdant island rich in indigenous birdlife and exotic flora, deemed one of the most important of all the South Pacific islands in terms of biology and conservation. But what draws many visitors is the scuba diving and its proximity to what many claim are some of the world's finest dive sites.

Attractions for visitors emphasize the outdoors though you shouldn't miss the stained glass windows at the old Catholic mission at the village of Wairiki."

Bird Flu Forces Tower of London Ravens Inside

The Avian Bird Flu has forced the British Government to remove the famous ravens that live outside of the Tower of London inside where they are doing well. James Owen, a writer for National Geogprahic News, discusses the ravens in his article; Bird Flu Fears Spur Tower of London to Move Ravens Indoors.

"The famous ravens of the Tower of London have been moved indoors to protect them from the deadly strain of bird flu now threatening Britain.

The H5N1 strain of avian influenza, first identified in China, has reached nearby France where in the past week two dead ducks were diagnosed as carrying the virus. The British government now says that bird flu is likely to arrive in the country.

English legend says that a terrible evil will befall the kingdom if the Tower of London loses its ravens, which have lived at the landmark for more than 300 years.

The Tower's current resident ravens—Baldrick, Branwen, Gwyllum, Hugine, Munin, and Thor—are usually seen strutting about the Tower's green where they are popular with sightseers.

"A lot of visitors are asking where the ravens are, but when we explain the reason why they've been put away, they completely understand," the raven master said.

The birds, whose wings are clipped to prevent them flying away, have been moved to aviaries in one of the royal palace's towers.

"They're being kept in a big airy room with lots of light and fresh air. They're doing very well in there," Coyle said."

Places to See in La Paz

La Paz, Mexico has warm temperatures, historical spots, great food, markets and natural beauty. Ex in the City Guide writer Diane Selkirk offers some expert tips for unbeatable places to visit in the city in her City Guide La Paz.

"The rhythm of La Paz is in found in the centre of town; people sit on benches and watch the world go by in Plaza Constitución. The pink granite fountain provides a pleasant backdrop and old palm and laurel trees provide shade.

The place where the desert meets the sea has a rugged beauty. The arid lands offer a subtle magnificence that is easily overlooked. The sea, turquoise and clear offers unparalleled snorkelling and diving. Kayak or join a panga (small boat) excursion out to the Islands of Partida and Espiritu Santo. These islands offer the opportunity to hike through the sand and scorched boulders in search of desert flowers, and swim in the warm sea – perhaps you may even witness the magic of a manta ray leaping free, in an effort to fly.

Mexican market places are magical. Beyond shopping, they offer a glimpse into a slower lifestyle where little is mass produced. Wander the public market – watch how your dinner’s tortillas are made fresh each day. Or discover traditional café con leche: A pot is filled with milk, as it heats freshly ground beans are thrown by small handfuls into the steaming liquid. Next, say “si” to the grated cinnamon chocolate and watch as it is sprinkled into the mixture. Just as it starts to foam, the flavourful brew is lifted from the heat and poured it through a strainer into your mug."

Norwegian Cruise

A cruise is not everyone's cup of tea. But, a cruise through Norway is no normal cruise. Kent E. St.John, a writer for GoNOMAD.com, boarded a Norwegian cruise and shared his experiences in his article; Norway's Viking Voyage:The Hurtigruten.

"The MS Finnmark’s cabin 603 had became my home as well as a place to view vistas that simply cannot be found elsewhere. This isn’t a typical cruise and is indeed a voyage, one that will bring out the Viking explorer in anyone, even with heated tile floors in the bathroom.

In general I do not consider myself a cruise ship person and the closest I’ve ever come was a boat that took eighteen passengers to the Galapagos Islands. At first the MS Finnmark looked huge but the people boarding looked so laid back that I boarded knowing I wasn’t getting into a raucous hedonistic free for all. After all the ship was a working vessel.

After entering cabin 603 I was ready to sign up with the Merchant Marines. The cabin was roomy with a double bed, sitting area and small desk space. I also lucked out with a balcony. I must add that during the voyage I managed to visit several types of cabins and all were well laid out. The bottom line is that scenery is very democratic and seen perfectly from all the decks, lounges and dining room.

While the ship stops at 34 ports, only a few stops are for any length of time. Fortunately the ones that you want are covered. The first excursion was the next morning in Alesund. Tragedy can create beauty and that certainly is the case in Alesund. A huge fire on January 23, 1904 totally destroyed the city, and Kaiser Wilhelm II rapidly sent provisions. Young Norwegian architects then proceeded to design and build in a totally Art Nouveau style and all in stone. The Art Nouveau Center best covers the city’s rebirth and is done very well."

Discussing Politics in France

Amidst a party in France, World Hum writer Terry Ward leans about tragic news from home. Before that she faces the inevitable question Americans face abroad. Her article France, Interrupted describes the beauty of a lake house near Rodez, France, the taste of wine, and the comforts of home.

"My focus was on a boisterous woman named Marie, a 40-something blonde with the energy of an A-bomb and that quintessential French fashion sense that turns a pair of retro sneakers and a loosely knotted scarf into something otherworldly stylish. She was expounding on the virtues of sipping rosé at this hour of the day, when the sinking sun glows a similar raspberry hue—speaking in French and getting drunker by the minute. I was taking it all in as one big lesson. After all, I was here to learn the language, and what better challenge than to attempt chatting with a local past her limit?

Marie pulled me around the party at the lake house in a rural area in the south of France, introducing me as “the only American I’ve ever liked,” assuring me all the while that she’d encountered plenty of others.
“And who does the American support?” called out a clearly buzzing Biarritz supporter. To which I responded, in my best French accent, "Mais Paris, monsieur," to a howl of boos.

“No,” he continued, in French, "je veux dire—I mean to say—who did you vote for as your president?”

A hush of anticipation fell over the crowd. I was used to this sort of directness as an American abroad.

“Kerry,” I responded, back in favor with the crowd, though wondering if I should have lied just to stir them up."

The Legendary Shandur Pass

While hiking through snowy mountains in Pakistan might not sound like a typical vacation, Boots 'n All writer Llew Bardecki shares the ups and downs (no pun intended) of the trip in his article Gilgit to Chitral: High Adventure on Pakistan's Shandur Pass. The adventure of this trip makes for one great story.

"Nick and I started our walk in the dark, reaching the village of Barsat at about 04:15, just as the sky was beginning to lighten. Barsat was truly the end of the line. Jeeps would have had trouble making it there given the road conditions, and it was the last settlement of any kind until we reached the army checkpoint at Shandur Top, 23km further on.

At 05:30 we stopped for breakfast before taking the last fork in the road and heading up the valley towards the pass itself. The valley was absolutely beautiful in the early morning light, and the walking was fairly easy. There was a lot of mud, and some snow as well, but almost all of this was still frozen from the night's cold. We'd made great time up until this point, but the newly risen sun was already starting to impose itself on the snows, and things would soon get much, much harder.

The trail had been fairly flat all morning, but at the end of the valley it took a sharp right turn and started to climb steeply up alongside a small creek. Some of the braids of the stream were a delightful surprise, their bright colours and vigourous plant life showing how quickly life could return to the highlands once winter had run its course.

The altitude made the climb a bit difficult, but it really wasn't that hard. It was AFTER the steep slope that we really started to get bogged down. The grade had ensured that most of the snow had been shed already, but on the flatter sections, the road was completely covered and there were some very deep drifts along its path. Worse, we began to punch through the icy crust on top and sink deep into the soft snow beneath, regularly crossing small valleys with hidden streams flowing at their centres. Soon, our feet were soaked and freezing. Completely aside from the physical effort, we now needed to rest regularly just to thaw out our toes on the sun-warmed rocks."

Amazing Animal Encounters

Jemima Price, a blogger for lonelyplanet.com, created a list of different destinations to experience animal encounters. Read about the destinations in Jemima's list; Awesome Animal Encounters.

"Swimming with Dolphins - Kaikoura (New Zealand)
Plunging into the icy waters of the South Pacific is a small price to pay to swim with nature's most graceful creatures. Watching the wild dolphins fly towards you through the gloom, and look deep into your eyes as they circle you, is breathtaking.
WorldGuide: New Zealand

Orangutans - Sepilok (Malaysia)
Watch these delightful animals swing non-chalantly through the trees for their daily feeds deep in the Borneo jungle. Ignoring the by-standers they chew on their bananas, clinging to each other before being frightened away by cheeky macaques.
WorldGuide: Malaysia

Elephant Trek - Thailand (Chiang Mai)
As long as you research your trek carefully to take into consideration the welfare of the animals, riding high on one of these magnificent elephants as they plod through the jungle is not to be missed. Beware: elephant hide is extremely prickly!
WorldGuide: Chiang Mai

White Lions - Bethlehem (South Africa)
Nestled in the rolling Orange Free State is Cam-O-Rhi, the home of the rare Timbavati White Lions. Enjoy the opportunity to hold newborn cubs, frolick with 6 month olds and admire the adults as they lounge regally in the sun.
WorldGuide: South Africa"

Desert Travel

For experienced world travelers, finding the adventure of a lifetime can be quite a challenging experience. After traveling through Europe, Latin America and Asia, Hackwriters.com writer Antonio Graceffo decided that his next journey would be Crossing the Taklamakan Desert by Rickshaw.

"The Taklamakan Desert, also called The Desert of Death, is located in China's Xinjiang Province. It is the second largest desert on Earth. Scientists consider it to be the most dangerous desert in the world. My plan was to travel 544 km, under my own power, along the famous Silk Road, from the oasis town of Aksu to the oasis town of Kashgar.

07/23/2003 Atuchi, Taklamakan Desert

I made it over 500 KM! The first day I rode for four hours. It was around eight o'clock, and I needed to get out of the sun. But in the desert, there was no shade at all. There wasn't even anything that cast a shadow. I found a power pole with a brick base. The base was one meter wide by one and a half meters high. If I lay on the ground, and curled up in a fetal position, the shadow just about covered my body. I stayed like that till sundown. The sun doesn't set until about 11:00 PM in the desert. So, I had a long wait. I was eaten alive by mosquitos, and spent a fitful night. The second day, I got the hang of riding the bike, and rarely went off the embankments or ran into cars. A construction crew invited me to their camp to eat lunch, and take a nap.

I learned to sleep in drainage tunnels under the highway or under the railroad. I ate the food I brought from Aksu, dried sausage and Uyghur bread. Almost every day I managed to buy water and one hot meal in a Uyghur village. Usually the Uyghurs eat bread and goat meat or goat meat soup."

Road tripping

Going on road trips can be tons of fun, or they can be awful if you're with the wrong people. Caroline King, a writer for bootsnall.com, gives tips for the perfect road trip in her article; What to do When Planning a Road Trip.

"The first matter of concern is whom it is that will be taking this road trip. To be blunt: If the travel partners are not compatible they might as well stay home and play video games. At least they will be killing one another in a virtual sense. I'm exaggerating. But it is a serious deal if people don't get along and they are stuck together for hours like sardines in a can.

What makes people compatible for road trips is not that they are necessarily best friends or exactly alike - though these are worthy things to consider. The main concern is that they have a similar purpose for the trip. What I mean by this is say that one person lives and breathes urban sidewalk and all he wants to do is stare at open fields for hours, camp out and catch fish for dinner. But his travel companion, Suzy Q., wants to hit up a town with posh shops and stacked options of what to do because she lives and breathes cow manure. In this case, I say play video games.

Even though I didn't write about it first, safety is first. As far as your transportation is concerned, do an equipment check to make sure all the parts are in place and functioning like a healthy machine, or ask a mechanic to have a look. Pack a detailed road map and also some water and food in case of an emergency where you're stranded. It is a wise investment to purchase a CB radio if you do not already own one. "But I have my trusty cell phone," you say. And I say, "Not even Verizon wireless reaches those parts of the highway that you are planning to traverse along. Why do you think all truckers have CBs?"

Visiting Assisi

On a tour through Umbria, GoNOMAD writer Cris Carl visits the town of Assisi. With her knowledge of history the ancient sites become more than old structures and beautiful landscapes in her article Italy's Umbria Region.

"As you approach the Basilica of Assisi, the grandeur of the city named for the kindest, simplest of saints cannot fail to move you. One of the first things you will see besides a magnificent vista is a recently installed series of statues and carvings depicting many world religions from Christian to native Polynesian. Assisi is one of the most visited towns in the region, with miles of cobbled streets lined with 12th century history and shops featuring chocolates, ceramics, cheeses, wines, and herbs as well as plenty of religious souvenirs.

The basilica is filled with 12th and 13th century frescos as well as artifacts from the time of St. Francis, who was canonized two years after his death October 3, 1226. The endless artwork throughout the basilica was awe-inspiring, but for me, not more so than seeing the actual robe St. Francis wore. Keep in mind if you visit religious sites, wearing shorts and sleeveless tops will often prevent you from entering.

One of the best restaurants I visited nearby was Redibis, where you can dine for a reasonable price (for what is typically a six course meal) in a recently restored 2,000 year-old grotto. For wine and dinner you will spend about $60 to $75 per person. The food is outstanding and the mix of Old World style with clean modern touches lent an incredibly comfortable atmosphere."

Traveling in Japan with Kids

Japan is great country to visit, even with kids. It's safe and clean, and there are a ton of things to do and see. Lauryn Axelrod, a writer for GoNOMAD.com, explores Japan with her husband and son in her article; Traveling With Kids in Japan; How Many Ways Can You Say "Thank You" in Japanese.

"Japan is a land of contrasts. From modern, neon-lit cities to remote hillside temples, from groups of business-suit clad salarymen racing down crowded sidewalks to lone Geishas tiptoeing along lantern-lit alleys; from awe-inspiring mountains and clear rushing rivers to ruined monuments to atomic horrors, Japan beguiles, bemuses, inspires and arouses.

But, for all its fascinating history and modernity, most people don't think of Japan as a family or budget destination. True, Japan is expensive and will stretch your budget to the max. But for families, Japan can be a wonderful destination: it is clean, safe, interesting and surprisingly inviting.

In Ginza, we meandered past discreet boutiques and expensive restaurants where kimono clad women shuffled by with Gucci bags. In the Sony Building, we stopped to play with the latest tech gadgets, oohing and ahhing over digital cameras and mini-laptops. We ate lunch in one of the inexpensive noodle shops in the basement of an office building, and hung out with salarymen after work snacking on grilled chicken and vegetables at one of the Yakitori stands in Yakitori Alley.

In Shinjuku, we listened to Japanese pop music at the Virgin Mega-Store (Japanese Ska is really fun!), and played videogames in one of the ubiquitous arcades that line the streets of all Japanese cities. In Aoyama, we poked around art galleries exhibiting contemporary and classical Japanese paintings and ceramics. In Harajuko, we joined the ever-trendy Japanese teenagers taking pictures in photo booths, shopping for funky fashions, and in Sendagaya, we escaped the crowds and joined the older theatre-goers for a meditative, late afternoon Noh Theatre performance at the National Noh Theatre."

Hotel Restaurants New and Improved

Let's face it, sometimes hotel food is simply not good. Hotels began recognizing this, and in response, revamped their restaurants. Joe Sharkey, a writer for New York Times Travel, discusses promising new hotel restaurants in his article; It's Time to Admit It: Hotel Food is Getting Good.

"On the road, eating decently used to be a challenge. We have all been dished up airline food or airport food that a raccoon with the munchies would say "no thanks" to. But the truth is, food and beverage operations at hotels have in recent years become the brightest spot in business travel.

Years ago, many domestic hotel restaurants were places where dinner was a greasy steak washed down by a couple of Scotches. Or, if you really wanted to go all out, a faux French restaurant where the waiters looked like members of the Addams family, though without the sense of humor, and some of the other guests looked like the waxworks card-party scene at Norma Desmond's house in "Sunset Blvd."

"Pre-1980's, food and beverage was pretty much deemed as a necessary evil at most hotels, and if you broke even, that was good," said Robert Mandelbaum, the research director at PKF Hospitality Research. "It was like, we need to have a place to eat. So, we're pretty much going to provide a basic all-purpose restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner to our guests; we hope we don't lose money."

The changes have been striking. Hotel restaurants have improved at all levels, from signature restaurants run by celebrity chefs that attract local business to high-quality takeout delis and even breakfast kiosks that cater to guests on the run."

People Watching

One of the most relaxing and interesting attractions for travelers is people watching. To see the clothes, the customs, the interactions, and the hobbies of the people in a new country while sipping on espresso or wine is truly an experience. Lonely Planet's Bluelist spotlights the Best Places for People Watching.

Washington Square Park, NYC (New York City)
Park yourself on a green bench and observe the odd but delightful mix of the princes and paupers of New York converging on this park in the village. Particularly fascinating is watching homeless men defeat any and all takers on the park's chessboards

Parque del Buen Retiro, Madrid (Madrid)
Find a spot near the large pond in the center to watch romance bloom all around you. But be warned, gratuitous public affection has become a kind of obsession among Spain's youth, although half the fun is watching the older generation gasp in horror

The Louvre, Paris (Paris)
In a museum where there as many languages spoken as at the U.N., watch culture clash as the French raise their noses, Americans raise the voices, and the hundreds of Japanese tour guides raise their umbrellas to the disdain of everyone.

Tangier, Morocco (Morocco)
Every day, on the exact same path, at the exact same time, hundreds of foreign tourists take guided tours through this port town a stone's throw from Europe. Watch as street vendors agressively prey on unsuspecting visitors, and their wallets.

South Beach,Miami (Miami)
Perhaps this qualifies more under ogling rather that watching. Regardless, upon arrival, you can observe and feel the palpable divide of who belongs on the beach tanning and who does not. More than likely, you belong to the latter.

Red Light District, Amsterdam (Amsterdam)
There is little seedy about this area anymore as sleaze has begrudgingly become a most unusual, but extremely effective tourist draw. The disparity between the unfazed locals and the shocked and awed tourists is sheer entertainment.

Speaker's Corner, London (London)
This monument to free speech gives you the opportunity to hear speeches that range from inspiring idealism to crackpot insanity. Go to Hyde Park and watch the very amusing dialogue between the speakers and hecklers, or feel free to enter the fray.

Living in Turkey

Priscilla Windsor Brown, a writer for escapeartist.com, moved to Turkey over 20 years ago and still finds it to be one of "the loveliest places in the world." Read about her life in Turkey in her article; Life in a Turkish Tourist Town.

"I wake up every day knowing that I live in one of the loveliest places in the world. That, in spite of the invasion of thousands of people who have arrived these past few years to buy into our quality of life. Fortunately, I arrived in Bodrum, Turkey in the late eighties. Little did I realize then that I would still be here 20 years later. I am not the first foreigner to have been lulled into the Lotus Eating syndrome in Bodrum, Turkey. Hundreds of foreigners arrived before I.

It was 1983 when I first arrived in Bodrum for a sailing holiday. I had been working in London for a non-profit with teenagers from the inner city. We flew into to Izmir, a military airport, where we were thoroughly searched before climbing aboard a rickety bus and traveling south for an endless five hours without air-conditioning in high summer. It used to be work to get here. Foreigners who came to Turkey then were highly motivated travelers, in search of eastern culture, atmosphere, food, and music.

And so, in spite of the throngs of tourists that flock to our seaside town each summer, the sun and the Aegean Sea continue to mesmerize. My neighbours, landlady, and her family are simple and honest, and genuinely concerned for my welfare. And so I think I’ll stay."

Trying all the food in a travel destination can be quite a challenge. Luckily for Escape From America Magazine writer Dawnelle Salant, the Taste of Tasmania offers a great selection of the country and the area's best food options. She describes her meal, and the rest of the beautiful country in her article Tasting And Toasting In Tasmania.

"New Year’s is a great time to visit Hobart for another reason; the annual Taste of Tasmania food and wine festival. The Taste takes place on Princes Wharf and runs for one week, usually from a few days before New Year’s Eve to a few days after. Around seventy stalls sell food and drink from around the world – you can sample delectable Tassie wines and exotic African meals. It’s sort of like a gourmet food court. And the perfect place to spend New Year’s Eve.

One of Hobart’s highlights is a drive up to Mt. Wellington for exhilarating views of the city. The temperature drops noticeably as we near the top. I had been sweating in the harbor, but I’m now reaching for my jacket. The view stretches for miles; I can see the Tasman Bridge spanning the Derwent River, and the city turning into forest as it reaches outwards.

As much as I like Hobart, the real reason I came to Tasmania was to experience the outdoors. The next day I’m up early, waiting for my Adventure Tours bus. I’m about to have another Taste of Tasmania – a six day tour taking in the island’s highlights. I heave my backpack into the trailer and join my fellow travelers on the bus. I’m never apprehensive about traveling alone; true travelers have a sort of instant connection. My companions for the next week include a family from Malaysia, an Italian couple on their honeymoon and even two young Australian lads."

Discovering Antigua, Guatemala

Diane Redfern traveled Guatemala with two guides. She, a writer for Connecting...Solo Travel Network, was a solo traveler with companions. This contradiction and the knowledge she gained both about Guatemala can be found in her article "Wonderful Guatemala - On Your Own - Yes, or No."

"Founded in 1543 to replace an earlier capital city (Ciudad Vieja), Antigua attracted all the symbols and trappings of Spanish power. Grand churches, convents, and government buildings rose in the shadows of Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango, the three volcanos that overlook the city.
By 10am we were back in the car and off to nearby Jocotenango, a five-minute drive or shuttle-bus (hourly/Q5) ride from Parque Central, Antigua's main meeting place.

Jaime pointed out local landmarks in passing: Look up and see St Catherine's Arch, (Arco de Santa Catalina). Built in 1693 to allow nuns to cross between neighboring convents without being seen in the street below, this quaint yellow structure was restored sometime after the earthquake of Santa Marta hit in 1773, one of several to devastate the city over the years.

In Jocotenango we spent a couple of hours at the Centro Cultural La Azotea. This complex of attractions could easily fill a whole day for anyone inclined to combine a horseback ride and lunch with a stroll through a working coffee plantation cum museum, followed by learning about Guatemalan music in the adjoining Casa Kójom.

We, however, returned to Antigua where I had the rest of the afternoon for a walkabout of the town's many colonial buildings. Interestingly, some ruins have been left to show the ravages of several devastating earthquakes while other sites were restored to a functional state."

Tarragona, Spain

Madrid and Barcelona are two of the most frequented tourist spots in Spain. While they are both great cities, if you're looking for something more unique Tarragona, Spain is a great choice. Karina Halle, a writer for GoNOMAD.com, describes Tarragona in her article; Tarragona, Spain: History and Heart on the Mediterranean.

"Located on Spain’s pristine Costa Daurada – and just a short hop from Barcelona – Tarragona has miles of blissfully bare beaches, ancient Roman ruins, affordable accommodation and a vibrant cultural scene. To top it off, Tarragona has stayed away from the mass tourism that frequents most of Spain, making it one of the best-kept secrets in the country. Until now.

Tarragona is a great place to visit all year-round. In spring and fall, the weather is warm and the ocean temperatures are bearable. During the summer it can get stiflingly hot with high humidity but offshore breezes can provide a refreshing lift. In the winter months the town slows down but the lack of tourists and mild temperatures make it a unique and pleasant experience.

The town is blessed with several attractions that bring in people from all over the world, many of them listed by UNESCO World Heritage. The most famous of all these is the remains of a Roman amphitheatre. Situated downtown and just steps from the beach, this well-preserved battleground dates back to 2 BC. Standing in the middle of it, it’s not hard to imagine gladiators fighting each other (and beasts) to their death.

There are other Roman ruins scattered throughout the city, including a jaw-dropping aqueduct called the Pont Del Diable (or Devil’s Bridge). It’s further out from the main core than most other attractions but marveling at the wonders of Roman engineering is worth the trek."

Diving in Cozumel, Mexico

Aside from its beautiful scenery and warm weather, Cozumel is also known for its magnificent diving. The article Diving in Cozumel Mexico, found on bootsnall.com, points out the benefits that diving in the waters of Cozumel offers.

"There are roughly 40 or so dive sights that ring the island, and about 28 dive shops ready to get you going. I stayed at the Casa Del Mar, a very reasonably priced hotel that caters specifically to divers. The hotel was clean, service was excellent, and the price couldn't be beat. They offer dive packages that start at $188 dollars for three nights/two days of diving to $417 dollars for seven nights/ five days of diving. Most of the hotels on the island offer dive packages including the very swanky Presidente Inter-Continental, which offers some surprisingly inexpensive dive deals. If you want to dive first class, this is the place. The President of Mexico, Vicente Fox; a diver himself, was staying at the Inter-Continental the week I was there. Recently, U.S News & World Report Magazine recognized Cozumel as the North American and Caribbean destination offering the best vacation value.

The island of Cozumel is quickly becoming more than a dive destination. The main town of San Miguel is a lively, thriving town with many good restaurants, a wide range of shopping opportunities, a fabulous small museum - Museum of the Island of Cozumel - and very friendly people. There is a new 18-hole golf course on the island located at the Cozumel Country Club, Chankanaab Park - an ecological water theme park, is a great day out for the family, ancient Mayan ruins to marvel at, plus, for honeymooners - a number of excellent packages to take advantage of at many of the top resorts on the island.

But diving is, and I think will remain, the main draw of this magical, unspoiled island. Take just one dive into the turquoise waters that surround Cozumel and you will quickly find out why divers from all over the world return again and again to this special place."