Adrenaline Rushes as Water Gushes in Argentina

In the article Argentina's Iguassa Falls: Niagra's Big Brother, GoNOMAD writer Sony Stark recounts her travels around one of the most beautiful sites in South America. This is a great article for anyone who appreciates anticipation and adrenaline... you'll easily feel the excitement through Stark's words!

"Two thousand tons of water per second crash down in an apotheosis of rainbows and froth at Garganta del Diablo or Devils Throat. It's even more breathtaking since it's impossible to see into the abyss below.

Getting there takes several steel catwalks stretching from small island to small island. The anticipation builds with every step until it's deafening roar and thundering views completely immerse you. With imagination, the sight resembles a gigantic vat or cauldron of mirky witches' brew. It bumbles and hisses and spews humidity in all directions.

During a rare moment, the shutterbugs disperse and I'm left to reflect on how native tribes once worshipped this supernatural power. Our guide insists that a full-moon tour captures the mystery of the place more than in the day time. Absent of artificial halogens, the moon's silver path illuminates the river from the banks up until everything dips to black over the edge."

Evaluating Colombia's Tourism Potential

GoNOMAD writer William Karz had the assignment of going to Colombia and evaluating the country's tourist potential. While having the internal fear of something going terribley wrong, Karz easily overcomes this fear in his safe, refreshing journey. Read about it in his article Cartagena and Medellin, Colombia: No Fears!

"Expecting to find a bulletproof SUV and armed guards waiting for me at the airport to lead me through FARC infested terrain, I was a bit surprised to find a standard tourism van and a young charismatic guide with a smile from ear to ear.Alejandra had just graduated with a degree in tourism and her youthful charm enveloped the van. She was so captivating that I didn’t even realize the sun had set during the one-hour drive from the airport to the city center.

After dinner at a restaurant with expansive views of the cityscape, I asked Alejandra where I might be able to find a bar in order to get a feel for the city’s nightlife. Apparently, that was the question she had been waiting to answer since the airport.

In less than a Medellín minute, she went to the restroom and changed from conservative to casual attire. Judging by her giddy mood and restless feet, I knew we were going clubbing. So I threw on my best pair of shoes and pocketed my camera.

Expecting to find people blowing coke out of a crystal bowl and dancing under a disco ball till sunrise, I couldn’t wait to write the story. When we got in the cab, I asked Alejandra if I could take pictures at the club. She had not seen Blow or Scarface and was rather surprised by my preconceived image of parties in Medellín."

Don't Forget About Belfast

Joel Chulsid, writer for Travel Lady Magazine, writes about That Other Irish City - Belfast. When people travel to Northern Ireland, they are more likely to travel to Dublin. Belfast did have its share of violent turmoil in the past, but today Belfast is "peaceful, quiet, and welcoming." This article has many links in case you'd like to start planning your own Belfast getaway.

"During my visit, the city was quite cool, but not cold, mostly overcast, with occasional sun or a shower, actually a welcome change from the steamy U.S. summer. That’s why Ireland is so amazingly green, and yes, there are palm trees to be seen throughout Belfast and the countryside.

Belfast is compact, and has several neighborhoods, or quarters, and they are easy to explore. I walked everywhere or took public buses, which were quite easy to navigate. A local bus ran about $2.00 a ride. In the Central City, as downtown is referred, there are pedestrian shopping streets, and a few blocks away, the beautiful Grand Opera House, right down the street from the Hotel Europa, which used to have the distinction of being the most bombed hotel in the world, but it was overtaken some time ago by one in Sarajevo. The Europa hasn’t been bombed in a while, so don’t worry, but you can buy souvenir books or postcards that illustrate those days gone by. Nearby is the famous Crown Liquor Saloon, Belfast’s most famous historical pub, and you can stop in for a pint or a pub lunch.

By far, the most impressive building in the Central City is the City Hall, and tours are offered at certain times of the day. Constructed in 1903, it’s quite a dramatic place, designed in Classical Renaissance style. The interior woodwork was done by the same people who did it for the Titanic. Speaking of the Titanic, Belfast is where the ship was built, back in 1906 by Harland & Wolff. It took the next few years to outfit the ship, and it was launched in 1912. There is an interesting exhibit on the ship at the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum, along with trolleys, old railroad cars, and the like. The dock area, where Harland & Wolf is located, is being redeveloped as the “Titanic Quarter” complete with a mockup of the ship, but also condominiums, shops, and hotels. There are also Titanic boat rides in the harbor, to see where the ship was launched."

More Adult Fun in Utah?

"Tourists love Utah's ski resorts, red rock formations and fine restaurants. It's finding something to do once the sun sets that's giving the state an image problem," starts Douglas C. Pizac in his article found in USA Today Travel. Restrictive liquor laws in Utah sadly make the state seem rather boring; however, the Utah Office of Tourism is looking to include more adult entertainment for tourists. Read about it in the article Utah struggles to combat its image as dull.

"The top complaints the Salt Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau receives are that there's not much nightlife and it's difficult to get a drink. The complaints begin before tourists even arrive, said Shawn Stinson, director of communications for the bureau.

'We're the first to say Salt Lake has excellent bars and restaurants throughout the city. They are just not in a densely populated area,' he said. 'We feel that is definitely a drawback to the Salt Lake experience.'

City law prohibits more than two bars from operating on the same city block face. Downtown, the average city block is 660 feet long — 300 feet longer than a football field. Other Utah cities, including the ski resort town of Park City, don't have that limit.

Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson wants the restriction in Utah's most-visited city lifted. He said the perception is that tourists have to go to Park City — about 25 miles away — to have fun.

'We want to create a walkable, lively and hospitable downtown. It's crucial,' he said. 'I'm not saying that the two taverns per block face is necessarily the most important issue facing us in our downtown, but it is one of those obstacles.'"

Surfing in New Hampshire

Surprisingly, New Hampshire is a hot-spot for surfers. Joseph Monninger, writer for TheBostonGlobe, let's us in on the great surfing New Hampshire has to offer in his article; Surfing at Hampton and Seabrook, and other N.H. beaches.

" From Seabrook to Rye, surf's up in New Hampshire. And it has been for years.
Surfing is everywhere riding a new wave of popularity, fueled at least in part by the crossover from snow- and skateboarders looking to extend and enhance their seasons.

``The technology for wet suits has just boomed," Rafferty said. ``It opened up the sport to families and to year- round surfing. On a blustery winter day, with 2 feet of snow on the beach, you may see a hundred surfers riding 10-foot waves in good old New Hampshire."

``Once you buy your board and a wet suit, it's free. The waves don't cost anything," Nowakowski said. ``And besides, it's not like any other sport. It's a source. It's not just about catching a wave. You can sit on your board for hours and not catch a decent wave and it's still a good day."

Waves are a mirror image of the ocean's floor's topography, which makes New Hampshire's rocky shoreline ``mechanical," or predictable. A wave always begins breaking at its shallowest point, which can cause sifting sand beaches to change from year to year. But a rocky shoreline has the advantage of remaining constant for decades. It doesn't matter if the surf is 10 feet or 2 feet high, the wave breaks in the same pattern."

Clean Thoughts in Amsterdam

When some people think of Amsterdam, certain words and ideas seem to come to mind; so I had to chuckle to myself when I saw the article A Brief Guide to Amsterdam: More Than Just Stoners and Prostitutes on GoNOMAD. It was written by Laurie Ellis and Shady Hartshorne, and from just reading the introduction, I feel that we can all get a sense of where they are coming from.

"When some people think of Amsterdam, they think of a hedonist’s paradise where marijuana and prostitution are legal. Scantily clad women stand in store windows advertising their “wares” and scruffy backpackers from all over the world cram themselves into cheap hotels for the opportunity to smoke some killer weed and pass out in doorways.

Amsterdam does have all that, but, in fact pot is not legal, and these attractions are just a tiny part of what this beautiful, centuries old city has to offer.

You can explore narrow, cobblestone streets and twisting canals, marvel at a Rembrandt or Van Gogh masterpiece or just sit at a sidewalk café watching the constant flow of bicycles, mopeds and pedestrians, and you realize that millions of people come to visit this city not for its lax vice laws, but because it’s simply one of the most beautiful and fun places in the world."

Taking in Helsinki's Limited Sun

"Don’t try Helsinki in the off season, no matter what the brochures say," is the first bit of advice R. W. Apple Jr. gives in his article Helsinki's Shining Season. Finland's capital, during high summer, is the place to be. This New York Times Travel writer englightens us on what Helsinki has to offer.

"Seen at its radiant best, Helsinki can be hypnotic. It has held me in its thrall for decades with its genius for modern design, displayed in textiles by Marimekko, ceramics by Arabia and glassware by Iittala, created by the likes of Kaj Franck, Timo Sarpaneva, Tapio Wirkkala, Alvar Aalto and Eliel Saarinen, to say nothing of those nifty orange-handled scissors made by Fiskars. Some names are less familiar than they should be — Aalto stands, in my view at least, with Wright, Mies and Le Corbusier at the apex of 20th-century architecture — but certainly not through any fault of their own.

Helsinki may be the world’s second most northerly capital city, after Reykjavik, and it may be lapped by the Baltic, but it can feel almost Mediterranean on a fine August day, with soft, golden light bathing the pastel-colored Italianate buildings around Senate Square, a legacy from Russian rule in the 19th century, and ferries, cruise ships and trawlers filling in a lively marine backdrop.

The truly keen will be rewarded by exploring the streets north of Senate Square [pictured here], where dealers like Kaunus Arki and Vanhaa ja Kaunista sell objects from the golden age of Finnish design."

Dubai by Water

GoNOMAD writer Habeeb Salloum writes a colorful article about his experience sailing in Dubai in his article Dubai: Sailing the Arab Dhow in a World of Fantasy. His story will make you smile, and Salloum shares some great tips for those traveling to Dubai.

"'He was for years a nakhuda (captain) of a pearl-diving dhow - the best skipper in the Arabian Gulf.' A distinguished-looking gentleman, made even more dignified by his flowing Arab dress, Abdullah appeared to be proud of the former dhow skipper.

After introductions, I asked the soft-spoken nakhuda to tell me about his seafaring life and if pearl-diving in dhows was continuing in our times.

'Pearl-diving in dhows? Of course not! The youth today are spoiled! All they look for are the pleasures of life. It wasn't like this when I was young.' Ubayd al-Muh.ayri the former dhow captain smiled.

When I asked him if he yearned to sail the Arab dhows again, he seemed amused. 'Sail again! I am 75 years old. Do you know that pearl-diving was a part of hell?' He continued, misty-eyed, 'Yet, for me the old days are preferable. In those days, we did not worry about material wealth. We were content to live on dates and coffee.'"

Cuernavaca, Mexico: A Haven for Students learning Spanish

Emily Morse, writer for GoNOMAD, recently traveled to Cuernavaca, Mexico to take a multitude of Spanish immersion classes. She lived with a host family during her stay in Mexico. Read about Emily's adventures in her article; Cuernavaca, Mexico: The Perfect Place to Study Spanish.

"Since the 1960s students have flocked to Cuernavaca to study Spanish and the industry has only grown in the last few decades. More than fifty language schools operate in Cuernavaca today. One of the most famous and most beautiful schools is The Center for Linguistic Multicultural Studies, a part of the Universidad Internacional. Amidst tangerine stucco walls, magenta flowers, and cool palms, this school offers Spanish immersion courses from 8 am until 5 pm.

Beginners usually take another form of grammar classes, but as I only have a week at the Center for Linguistic Multicultural Studies, I enroll in a hodgepodge of courses from ‘Mexico Today’ to business. I spend the final hour of the day in conversation classes where students discuss cultural differences between Mexico and their home country.

My Mexican “mama” Esperanza Carrillo Perez welcomes me warmly and calls me ‘mija’ a conjunction of “mi hija” or my daughter. For a weary traveler arriving in a foreign city, being received as a part of the family is soothing. My room is equally convivial. Pink blankets with a picture of a cartoon character lie on my bed while a massive dresser and a closet have been emptied for my clothing.

In the classes at Universidad Internacional English is forbidden. Even beginners communicate solely in Spanish. My professor Elizabeth handles this challenge gracefully. Her ability to explain complex ideas using a basic Spanish vocabulary takes incredible talent and creativity. All of the professors here have such skills and all have degrees in Education or attend university to acquire such degrees. The professors of advanced elective courses hold degrees in their specialty and it shows. "

Surf's Up!

Ayesha Court, USA Today writer, was fortunate to meet with Rob Barber - long-time surfer, surfing coach and an editor for Carve Surfing Magazine - to find out where the top wave spots are located. So in honor of the 40th anniversary of surfing's iconic documentary that followed California surfers around the world, Endless Summer, here is what she found out: 10 great places to have a swell time.

"Black's Beach
San Diego
Beloved by locals and foreign surfers alike, Black's Beach is "one of the best reef breaks" and receives an abundance of wave swell, Barber says. But, he warns, "this is a nudist beach — so be prepared!" In the winter, when nearby Big Bear and Mammoth mountains are snowy, it's possible to surf and snowboard the same day. sandiego.gov/lifeguards/beaches.

Bali
Indonesia
Indonesia's still-active volcanic archipelago is "my personal favorite," Barber says, because it offers "toasty-warm water, the most incredible reef breaks and a never-ending supply of swell." After exploring Bali's waves, Barber likes to take in the island's Hindu and Buddhist culture and stunning scenery, then island-hop to neighboring Nusa Lembongan, Lombok or Sumbawa. It's easy to "find your own uncrowded paradise."baliwaves.com

Praia da Vila
Brazil
Though much of Brazil's long coast offers an "amazing selection of breaks," Barber's favorite is here, south of Florianopolis. The beaches here don't just feature "crystal clear water and white sand beaches," he adds, they're also great for people watching as "the most beautiful women in the world are basking on them!" surf-forecast.com/breaks/PraiadaVila.shtml

Lahinch
County Clare, Ireland
First surfed in 2005, Aileen (after Aill na Searrach headland above it) is "the most awesome big wave to be discovered in recent surfing history," Barber says. Surfers must be towed in to below the west coast's Moher Cliffs by jet-ski. But after a bracing ride, the Emerald Isle's "beautiful, craggy western coast" offers as many "hidden gems" to explore on land as in the water. Bring your wet suit, gloves and boots as the "water's a bit cold." surfline.com/travel/story_assets/2005_12_01_ireland/bamp.cfm"

A New Way to "Go Dutch"

Group travel isn't for everyone, but there are some great benefits from this way of travel. There are always people around to experience things with, and usually there is a guide who is extremely knowledgeable. GoNOMAD writer Stephen Hartshorne writes about US clients who prefer traveling with Dutch tour groups. In his article Going Dutch: A New Dimension in Travel, Hartshorne talks about Djoser tours-- one of Europe's largest tour companies.

"'We have a huge group of loyal Djoser fans who will only travel with Dutch groups,' she says, 'because they are generally quite active and adventurous. The Dutch are very experienced travelers and people from the Netherlands from all walks of life have seen the world many times over. It's not just limited to the upper crust.'

'Most Dutch travelers have a great command of English," she says. "After a day or two, most of our Americans and Canadians have merged into the group fairly easily.'

One trademark of the Djoser tour is flexibility. Groups meet in the morning to discuss plans for the day and travelers can either join group activities or explore on their own. Neal says this appeals to experienced travelers, Dutch and American.

'Djoser believes self-exploration is the best way to understand or experience a country. Freedom to go out on your own is encouraged wherever safe and possible. Skipping planned sightseeing trips is also encouraged, which is why entrance fees are not included. The traveler decides what they want to do and when.'"

Grapeless Wine on Connecticut's Wine Trail

Wine without grapes? Shelley K. Wong investigates this special Connecticut Winery in her article No grapes, but fruit. Wineries in Connecticut have more than doubled in the last six years, so it might be interesting to check out one that is quite unique. This article was found in the Worcester Telegram and Gazette.

"White Silo Farm and Winery isn’t very big or elaborate. There are no 300-gallon fermentation bins, no oak barrels for aging, no fancy corking or bottling machinery. In fact, there are no grapes. Not one single grape.

Instead, there are raspberry and blackberry bushes, black currant shrubs, cherry trees and rhubarb plants. That’s because the small, family-owned business is a fruit winery, tucked away along the border of Connecticut and New York. And in the last five years, it has become part of a sharp growth of specialty and traditional wineries in Connecticut and across the nation.

Nestled in Litchfield Hills, the specialty winery is part of the Connecticut Wine Trail, a series of 16 wineries promoted to lure tourists into the state. Gorman says business has steadily grown since his business joined three years ago.

Though Connecticut is a long way from being a Napa Valley or Bordeaux, a visit to the specialty winery offers a quick getaway that’s unique and aesthetically appealing."

Beautiful Bhutan

As found in the Bangkok Post Horizons section, Chasing myths is an article by Kalyakorn Kasembri about Bhutan. Kasembri says that "Bhutan in all its manifestations is well-preserved, peaceful and picturesque: it is an experience you will never forget." Make sure to check out the whole article for some good travel tips.

"About the size of Switzerland with a population of just 699,000, the mountain kingdom of Bhutan is a breathtaking adventure travel destination. The kingdom's beauty lies in the fact that it has been painstakingly pickled with its fabulous mountains and monasteries intact. Bhutan holds many surprises and a visit to the country is an adventure. It is a land full of myths, legends and religion.

Bhutan's early history is steeped in tradition and mythology and it has barely changed compared to the transformations in other parts of the world over the past centuries. Indeed, it is an isolated and remote land sandwiched between two giant developing countries - China and India - but its traditions remain true to its roots. Bhutanese people are warm, friendly and hospitable. English is widely spoken in the country.

Bhutan's immediate neighbours, Nepal and Tibet, pale if you compare their scenery and cultures. It is not a difficult place to visit, even though it is known that the government regulates the number of foreign tourists travelling there.

It is actually easy to arrange a trip there and even customise your itinerary. However, group tours are a better option. Bhutan is an out-of-the-way country about which very little information is available. "

Bathing in Beer

With all the World Cup parties I've been to lately, there was one common theme: lots of beer (...because the games were played in Germany, of course...). My friends would get excited for the games and throw back their frosty beverages - ah, how refreshing! If you are into these kinds of refreshments, perhaps you'd be interested in literally bathing in the stuff. In Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic "beer spas" have opened up "promising health, wellness and the chance to bathe in your favorite suds." New York Times Travel writer Evan Rail tells us all about it in his article Beer Spas: Yeast of Eden.

"In the cellar, four couple-size wooden tubs are filled with a special brew. The Moorhof also offers milk baths, but Hedwig Bauer, who owns the hotel with her husband, Karl, believes that beer has certain advantages. 'Beer is very good for the skin, because of the vitamins and the yeast,' Ms. Bauer said. 'It's cleansing and drying.'

During the soak, a few pints of Schnaitl's beer are offered for imbibing, suggesting that the relaxation is chemically rather than therapeutically induced. After about 20 minutes, you're wrapped in a starched white sheet and led to a four-poster bed piled with toasty alfalfa hay. The curtains are drawn and you're left to have a mild sweat. Go ahead, just try to stay awake.

If the whole thing sounds somewhat masculine, Ms. Bauer was surprised that many of the beer bath's customers are women, a number of whom also splurge on a brewski facial — a gooey mask made from ground hops, malt, honey and cream cheese. The concoction tickles furiously when it slides down your cheeks, and it smells remarkably like breakfast.

Couples are welcome. A beer-bath weekend for two at the Moorhof costs 198 euros a person, and includes two nights at the hotel, breakfast and two four-course dinners."

Eating Your Way Around the Windy City

Thanks to Travel and Leisure, we get to take a look at the hottest spots to dine at in Chicago. As Janet Franz points out in her article Chicago Heats Up, "the city hasn't quite been able to edge past the dining capitals on the coasts. But that's all changing. This city in America's heartland is peppered with young chefs who are blending straight-from-the-farm food with inventive technique." Sounds delicious.

"Alinea Grant Achatz has been igniting the most sparks on Chicago's restaurant scene lately. He takes food to a new dimension at Alinea, where diners can choose a 12-course tasting or a 24-course grand tour—and should plan on staying for at least three hours. Achatz likes to atomize, spindle, and otherwise manipulate food, so expect flavor-packed combinations of powders, foams, and globules—and custom-made pins and prongs with which to consume them.

Butter Any chef who lists the French Laundry on his résumé is bound to turn some heads, and Ryan Poli is doing just that at Butter. With its expansive front windows and illuminated bar, this airy spot in the West Loop is a sexy backdrop for the handsome 29-year-old's imaginative New American menu.

Custom House Known for working his magic with fish (at Spring) and veggies (at Green Zebra), 2006 James Beard Award winner Shawn McClain finally sinks his teeth into red meat at Custom House. While steaks are the stars here—crusty pan-roasted prime sirloin with salt-and-vinegar fingerling potatoes—the chef's penchant for showcasing organic ingredients from small purveyors (Grimaud Farms, Morning Fresh Dairy) is also evident."

American History in Bora Bora

Nancy Smay recongnizes the beauty that is Bora Bora; however, she says, "I might have been content to spend the entire trip gazing at the water, snorkeling in the lagoon and relaxing along the outer edges of the island as most visitors do, but I found myself wondering what else there was." Take a look at what was waiting for her in the article Off the Beaten Path in Bora Bora as found on GoNOMAD.

"What was hidden within the dense jungle that covers every part of the island except the sandy tufted shores dominated by tourist resorts and the occasional colorful towns?

I talked my husband into signing up for a '4 x 4 Backcountry Excursion' in hopes of heading off the beaten path and finding out.

The truck rolled out onto the single 17-mile road that circles the island. Our driver introduced himself and asked if anyone had back problems. In response to our unanimous 'no,' he smiled and advised us to hold on. We each found a grip and within seconds, the truck turned and careened upward, following a steep angle up a rutted muddy path, shaking violently.

We explored the abandoned [American] bunker, and returned to the truck to find that Jay had laid out a feast on the hood in order to drive home his point about Bora Bora’s large and plentiful fruit. Spread out on a palm frond were sections of a giant grapefruit with green skin, and a pineapple. Both were delectably sweet, and Jay grinned knowingly as we took turns assuring him that this fruit was better than any we had at home."

Mediterranean Sights from Tunisia

As described by GoNOMAD writer David Rich, parts of Tunisia "out-Greeks Greece and out-Romes Italy." In his article Tunisia Will Seize Ya, Rich wonderfully describes the great sites Tunisia has to offer travelers. You can get all the beauty and culture of Europe without the huge price tags.

"The north of Tunisia is covered by hundreds of miles of olive trees dominated by fences of giant prickly pear, while the elongated Mediterranean coast is pocked with picturesque harbors chock-a-block with fishing boats painted like rainbows.

These quaint harbors sweep from Tabarka, closest to Algeria, guarded by the dagger-like rocks of Les Aiguilles and a sprawling Genoese Castle on the heights above the harbor. Beautiful Bizerte sits on the northeast tip, offering an upscale cornice and photogenic old port.

Proceed down the coast past Sidi Bou to the gorgeous neat-as-a-pin town of Monastir dominated by an intricate fort, scenic yacht basin and extensive mosques, gardens and a sprawling old cemetery. "

Learning Spanish in Mexico

GoNOMAD writer Emily Morse only spent one week in an intensive Spanish program in Cuernavaca, Mexico, but it was enough time to create amazing memories and to motivate her to become fluent in the language. Read about her journey in the article Cuernavaca, Mexico: The Perfect Place to Study Spanish.

"My Mexican 'mama' Esperanza Carrillo Perez welcomes me warmly and calls me ‘mija’ a conjunction of 'mi hija' or my daughter. For a weary traveler arriving in a foreign city, being received as a part of the family is soothing. My room is equally convivial. Pink blankets with a picture of a cartoon character lie on my bed while a massive dresser and a closet have been emptied for my clothing.

The Universidad Internacional offers four housing options with families as well as helping students to find hotels if they wish. I chose to live in a private room with a shared bathroom. The only other student, Mariela comes from Switzerland, and is nearly fluent in Spanish. I am the only English speaker in the house.

Throughout the week, I realized that Mariela’s seeming fluency in Spanish is augmented by her hands. She plays charades during every conversation. Eating, drinking, dancing are all acted out as she speaks so that she can be understood if she has a vocabulary lapse or is simply not sure if her verb tenses or noun choices can be comprehended. It is a gift I begin to acquire, especially for conversations with my host family."

Salta the Beautiful

In the article Salta, Argentina: Wind-Carved Land of Strong Wine and Difficult Love, New York Times Travel writer Daniel Altman gives a great balance to the history and present of Argentina. His descriptions of the country and the things this country has to offer is enough to make anyone want to hop on a plane and head south!

"Mention Salta to an Argentine, and the response is often the following: 'Ah, Salta the Beautiful.' That this northern province isn't better known to the rest of the world is an injustice. The road south from the province's eponymous capital to Cafayate, home to a cluster of vineyards, boasts breathtaking scenery, with cliffs of many hues shaped by water and wind. With the addition of tasty food, a rich musical tradition and powerful wines, the place should not be missed.

Marcelo Córdova, whose family owns the Vasija Secreta winery in Cafayate, said that Salta used to be a backwater, and less secure for tourists. 'When I went to Córdoba to study, I was thinking, "How boring Salta is," ' he said, his mirrored sunglasses reflecting almost as much light as his new Mini parked a few feet away. 'Now, it has everything.'

The new Salta is on show at innovative restaurants like José Balcarce, where you can try Lalo Angelina's modern takes on northern staples, including supple llama carpaccio and beef tenderloin in a creamy sauce enriched with quinoa. Salta's new restaurants and bars would give any big city's night life a run for its money, but the city's more traditional spots offer an entirely different — and more distinctive — experience."

Thessaloniki, Greece; A Hip Alternative to Big Cities

Thessaloniki, Greece is only 7 and 1/2 miles long, but it boasts enough culture, fashion, and entertainment to make it one of Greece's most sought after travel destinations. Christopher Deliso, writer for GoNOMAD, explores Thessaloniki in his article; Thessaloniki, Greece: Stylish and Cultured, Without the Big-City Hassle.

"Thessaloniki is packed with 2,300 years of history: it was first established by the ancient Macedonian dynasty, and numerous surviving ruins, churches and majestic fortress walls attest to the city’s later Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Although a devastating fire in 1917 irrevocably changed the city’s layout, the Ano Poli (Upper Town) is still filled with lovely and colorful wood-framed houses clinging to steep and narrow streets.

What the city is most known for among today’s Greeks, however, is its boisterous nightlife and sense of style. Thessaloniki is a dedicated student city and a plethora of eateries, night bars and cafés of all styles and types have sprung up to cater to its chic inhabitants. This center of culture also boasts many museums, cinemas, concerts and special events. Sophisticated shopping and omnipresent Greek sweets also set the city apart.

To really get the Thessaloniki experience, copious amounts of time must be spent enjoying the city’s numerous cafés and eateries. This is not just a question of food and drink, but of feeling the leisurely pace of the Greek lifestyle. Savor an aromatic Helliniko kafes (Greek coffee) in a traditional kafeneio (coffee house) where languid conversation melds with the click of backgammon played by black-bearded descendants of Anatolian Greek Pontians. Sip the adopted national drink, a cool Nescafé Frappé, outdoors on the waterfront, surrounded by the city’s dazzling people in the sun. "