Friday, December 30, 2011
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
#11 - Monkeys in Temples
Back when he was in undergrad, my husband took a summer trip to Bali, Indonesia. He loved a lot of aspects of that trip and would love to bring me back there one day. His trip then involved following monkeys around for anthropology research. Our imaginary trip together would include less monkey-following, and more sight-seeing!
For a fun, tropical vacation in the middle of winter, I choose
Wishful Vacation #11
Bali
Why I imagine I would go to Bali:
I love hearing my husband's stories about his trip to Bali, and I want to experience it, too! The style of the old temples is incredible. The coast is rocky and gorgeous with a huge surf. And if I needed another reason to go, food there is inexpensive and delicious.
Where I imagine I might stay in Bali:
My husband got to stay with a home-stay family, which was perfect for getting the feel for the culture, language, and food. I imagine I would like a similar experience. I read that in Bali, it is hard to get real Balinese food at restaurants or hotels because of the preparation methods. Bali also knows that it pays to cater to tourists. I don't want tourist food, though. I want the real thing. So, staying with a host family would be a great way to experience Bali.
The picture and link above features a home-stay family that seems great. By staying in a house rather than a hotel, I would get to experience life in a village. I think it would be really fun and a really different experience. It sounds awesome!
What I imagine I would eat in Bali:
Seafood, vegetables, spices, meats, rice, whole foods. Food in Bali is often served on banana leaves. They use coconut milk, herbs and spices in their cooking. The flavors are right up my alley. Here, I'll list a few more to whet your appetite: ginger, galangal, peanut sauce, sweet soy sauce, sweet potato, coriander, garlic, tamarind, lemon.. oh my. Meals usually include multiple dishes.
Satay is an Indonesian dish which is very popular throughout the islands.
My husband remembers drinking a mushroom tea which was totally delicious while he was in Bali. We think it might have been kombucha. It's worth trying that again. He also loved the avocado smoothies which were available everywhere.
What I imagine I would do as a fun activity in Bali:
I would love to go on a tour of the temples to get a sense of the history of the region. There are many tour companies which provide temple excursions. I also want to do some shopping with the local village vendors. Balinese crafts - wood, fabric, stone, silver - are really beautiful, and it would be fun to try bargaining with the sellers.
Where else should I imagine going in 2012?
Happy travels!
xoxo - Erika
For a fun, tropical vacation in the middle of winter, I choose
Wishful Vacation #11
Bali
Why I imagine I would go to Bali:
Photo by alfaneque
I love hearing my husband's stories about his trip to Bali, and I want to experience it, too! The style of the old temples is incredible. The coast is rocky and gorgeous with a huge surf. And if I needed another reason to go, food there is inexpensive and delicious.
Photo from here.
Where I imagine I might stay in Bali:
My husband got to stay with a home-stay family, which was perfect for getting the feel for the culture, language, and food. I imagine I would like a similar experience. I read that in Bali, it is hard to get real Balinese food at restaurants or hotels because of the preparation methods. Bali also knows that it pays to cater to tourists. I don't want tourist food, though. I want the real thing. So, staying with a host family would be a great way to experience Bali.
This photo of Bali Homestay Programs / Bali Homestay is courtesy of TripAdvisor
The picture and link above features a home-stay family that seems great. By staying in a house rather than a hotel, I would get to experience life in a village. I think it would be really fun and a really different experience. It sounds awesome!
What I imagine I would eat in Bali:
Seafood, vegetables, spices, meats, rice, whole foods. Food in Bali is often served on banana leaves. They use coconut milk, herbs and spices in their cooking. The flavors are right up my alley. Here, I'll list a few more to whet your appetite: ginger, galangal, peanut sauce, sweet soy sauce, sweet potato, coriander, garlic, tamarind, lemon.. oh my. Meals usually include multiple dishes.
Photo from here.
Photo by Gunawan K, Wikimedia Commons
What I imagine I would do as a fun activity in Bali:
I would love to go on a tour of the temples to get a sense of the history of the region. There are many tour companies which provide temple excursions. I also want to do some shopping with the local village vendors. Balinese crafts - wood, fabric, stone, silver - are really beautiful, and it would be fun to try bargaining with the sellers.
Where else should I imagine going in 2012?
Happy travels!
xoxo - Erika
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Merry Christmas! - From Austria's Christmas Markets
Sorry for my late Christmas greetings, but things got a little Christmas-y at home, if you know what I mean!
For my Christmas post, I imagine I would like to go to the beautiful, snowy winter markets of Austria. I want to wear a puffy white jacket and a colorful scarf and hat, and drink tons of hot chocolate. I imagine I would let my husband go skiing, if he wants, while I take pictures of the mountain scenery and drink some more hot chocolate!
Some day, I hope I get to spend part of the holiday season feeling chilly and eating treats while exploring a mountain village in the Alps. It sounds too cute to pass up.
Merry Christmas and Happy Travels!
xoxo - Erika
For my Christmas post, I imagine I would like to go to the beautiful, snowy winter markets of Austria. I want to wear a puffy white jacket and a colorful scarf and hat, and drink tons of hot chocolate. I imagine I would let my husband go skiing, if he wants, while I take pictures of the mountain scenery and drink some more hot chocolate!
Photo from here.
Some day, I hope I get to spend part of the holiday season feeling chilly and eating treats while exploring a mountain village in the Alps. It sounds too cute to pass up.
Photo from here.
Merry Christmas and Happy Travels!
xoxo - Erika
Friday, December 23, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
#10 - Baby, it's cold outside!
Well, it's winter in the US, which doesn't actually mean much in Florida. While most of the country is freezing and snow-covered, we still have temperatures in the 70s and 80s!
That is not photoshoppery. That is the actual weather map when I wrote this. What is up with Florida? It just doesn't want to be the same as everyone else. Anyway, all of this non-winter weather makes me yearn for some icebergs. It may be summer in the southern hemisphere now, but that doesn't stop Antarctica from being pretty chilly - anywhere from 20-35 degrees F on an average day. For a truly freezing imaginary vacation, I choose
Wishful Vacation #10
An Antarctic Cruise
Why I imagine I would go to Antarctica:
I actually did not want to go to Antarctica until I started researching this piece. And now I do! My husband and I watched a show on the Discovery Channel a few years ago about an exciting Antarctic cruise, and it just sounded so crazy! The ship was an actual icebreaker, and there weren't any amenities to speak of. The landscape and wildlife encounters seemed incredible, but the actual cruise was not up my alley.
When I looked for a cruise I could handle, I found National Geographic / Lindblad Expeditions. Their ship is lovely and the itinerary is perfect! The trip starts in Buenos Aires, followed by a flight to Ushuaia, Argentina, and then a cruise to Antarctica. The whole trip lasts 14 days, with about 7 of them in Antarctica. The ship, the National Geographic Explorer, sleeps 148 guests, which sounds like a perfect size.
Doesn't that look amazing how the passengers just walked right off the ship onto the ice? That only happens at the beginning of the season. Eventually, the ice becomes too fragile and melted to be able to walk on it safely. The Antarctic expedition focuses on nature, science, and photography. With such a pristine and stunning landscape all around me, I can only imagine how gorgeous my photos would be!
Where I imagine I might stay in Antarctica:
Certainly, it would make sense to stay on board the National Geographic Explorer! The ship has several classes of accommodation, and I think I would like a veranda suite. All of the rooms have big windows looking out at the ocean, but a balcony would make it even more amazing. The veranda suites have queen-sized beds and a little living room area. Cute!
I was really hoping to see some floor plans of the room choices, since I am in love with floor plans. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any. They have plans of the ship, and I would like to choose a suite on the Veranda Deck. It would be cool to be close to the bridge, the lounge, and the restaurants. Also, the wellness deck, with the spa and exercise areas is on the deck above. Sounds good to me.
What I imagine I would eat in Antarctica:
The website for the cruise doesn't put a big emphasis on their dining options, which is a little worrisome. They do mention having three dining facilities, and a menu which changes to reflect the local cuisine. I guess they might offer Argentinean food on this trip! A sample menu from the ship National Geographic Endeavor includes a prosciutto and tropical fruit starter, sesame seed-crusted yellowfin tuna with vegetable gratin, and apple-peach crisp with ice cream for dessert. That sounds pretty good! I'm sure just getting nourishment will suffice, when the adventure is so amazing.
What I imagine I would do as a fun activity in Antarctica:
I think I would enjoy pretty much everything this trip has to offer. Reading about Antarctica in the library, with the backdrop of amazing icebergs:
Visiting the bridge (which is always open to guests) to watch the navigation in action:
And especially, seeing the penguins close up and taking tons of pictures of them:
Have you ever been on an amazing adventure? Where did you go? Where should I go on my next wishful vacation?
Happy travels!
xoxo - Erika
Picture from here.
Wishful Vacation #10
An Antarctic Cruise
Why I imagine I would go to Antarctica:
I actually did not want to go to Antarctica until I started researching this piece. And now I do! My husband and I watched a show on the Discovery Channel a few years ago about an exciting Antarctic cruise, and it just sounded so crazy! The ship was an actual icebreaker, and there weren't any amenities to speak of. The landscape and wildlife encounters seemed incredible, but the actual cruise was not up my alley.
Photo from here.
When I looked for a cruise I could handle, I found National Geographic / Lindblad Expeditions. Their ship is lovely and the itinerary is perfect! The trip starts in Buenos Aires, followed by a flight to Ushuaia, Argentina, and then a cruise to Antarctica. The whole trip lasts 14 days, with about 7 of them in Antarctica. The ship, the National Geographic Explorer, sleeps 148 guests, which sounds like a perfect size.
Photo from here.
Doesn't that look amazing how the passengers just walked right off the ship onto the ice? That only happens at the beginning of the season. Eventually, the ice becomes too fragile and melted to be able to walk on it safely. The Antarctic expedition focuses on nature, science, and photography. With such a pristine and stunning landscape all around me, I can only imagine how gorgeous my photos would be!
Where I imagine I might stay in Antarctica:
Certainly, it would make sense to stay on board the National Geographic Explorer! The ship has several classes of accommodation, and I think I would like a veranda suite. All of the rooms have big windows looking out at the ocean, but a balcony would make it even more amazing. The veranda suites have queen-sized beds and a little living room area. Cute!
Photo from here.
I was really hoping to see some floor plans of the room choices, since I am in love with floor plans. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any. They have plans of the ship, and I would like to choose a suite on the Veranda Deck. It would be cool to be close to the bridge, the lounge, and the restaurants. Also, the wellness deck, with the spa and exercise areas is on the deck above. Sounds good to me.
What I imagine I would eat in Antarctica:
The website for the cruise doesn't put a big emphasis on their dining options, which is a little worrisome. They do mention having three dining facilities, and a menu which changes to reflect the local cuisine. I guess they might offer Argentinean food on this trip! A sample menu from the ship National Geographic Endeavor includes a prosciutto and tropical fruit starter, sesame seed-crusted yellowfin tuna with vegetable gratin, and apple-peach crisp with ice cream for dessert. That sounds pretty good! I'm sure just getting nourishment will suffice, when the adventure is so amazing.
What I imagine I would do as a fun activity in Antarctica:
I think I would enjoy pretty much everything this trip has to offer. Reading about Antarctica in the library, with the backdrop of amazing icebergs:
Photo from here.
Visiting the bridge (which is always open to guests) to watch the navigation in action:
Photo from here.
And especially, seeing the penguins close up and taking tons of pictures of them:
Photos from here.
Happy travels!
xoxo - Erika
Friday, December 16, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
#9 - Mom? Dad? Uncle Frank?
It's the holiday season, "the most wonderful time of the year". I love listening to Christmas music and looking forward to all of the fun events and activities. I also love me some Christmas movies, and for me, Home Alone, written by John Hughes and directed by Chris Columbus, is at the top of the list.
It is so adorable, silly, and sweet. The music by John Williams is awesome, too. In Home Alone, the whole family leaves poor little Kevin at home alone while they go to Paris. He survives the ordeal, but no one really gets to enjoy Paris because they are all worried about Kevin! So, in honor of Home Alone, for this imaginary trip, I choose
Wishful Vacation #9
Paris, France
Why I imagine I would go to Paris:
I actually have been to Paris before, back in high school. It was pretty amazing then, but I didn't get to spend enough time in the city. Now, I'm married to an awesome man who hasn't been to Europe. I want to go back to Paris with him and explore! I love French food, so that would be another huge reason to go.
Paris is the capital of France and a very stylish city. It has a long history (the area has remnants of settlements from 4200 B.C.) and some really cool landmarks. The Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe, the Avenue des Champs-Élysées (pictured above), and the Louvre are all spots I was able to visit the first time I went to Paris. I'd like to visit those again and add to the list! Paris around Christmas-time must be totally gorgeous, too.
Where I imagine I might stay in Paris:
If I'm staying in Paris, I want to stay somewhere with a very classic French style, somewhere like the Plaza Athénée. Built in 1889, the hotel features guest rooms with Louis XVI and Regency-style decor. It's so beautiful! I know that I would feel very fancy staying there.
Depending on which side of the hotel my room is on, I could have a view of the avenue Montaigne, La Cour Jardin (one of the hotel restaurants' courtyard), the rooftops of Montmartre, or a side view of the Eiffel Tower! I guess I choose the tower. Check out this view!
A special feature of the Plaza Athenée is their pillow menu! I would have my choice of six different types of pillows, including wheat or de-stressing (whatever that means, I'm sure it's lovely). I want to stay in a room that looks like this:
Perfectly Parisian, don't you think? I think staying here would be quite a luxurious experience, which leads me right to my next topic.
What I imagine I would eat in Paris:
The Plaza Athenée hotel is also home to Alain Ducasse at Plaza Athénée restaurant. Chef Alain Ducasse has many renowned restaurants around the world, but the closest I've been to eating at one was going to Las Vegas and not eating there. He has a restaurant in Vegas called miX, but it was too expensive! Being this is a dream vacation, and his restaurant is IN my hotel, I think I'll just go ahead and eat there, no?
On the website, there is a link to his New Year's Eve dinner menu. It sounds pretty delightful. It includes sea scallops, prawns, turbot, and lobster, and you know what a fan of seafood I am! For dessert, there is truffle brie, chocolate, champagne, and citrus. Yummy!
While I'm in France, I want to eat the way the locals do, too. I love French bread, cheese, pastries, cured meats and pates. When I went to Paris in high school, we ate at some random bistro, and I was amazed by the delicious (and simple) roasted chicken and fries. The fries were round potato slices, which just seemed so much better than any fries I had eaten before!
I want to find a bakery like this:
and a bistro like this:
and I want to eat what they have to offer. I think it would be great fun to eat in Paris. They seem to place a bigger emphasis on food quality and meal-time than in America, and I like that a lot. From my experience, they also include chocolate in their breakfasts regularly. Awesome!
What I imagine I would do as a fun activity in Paris:
I think a fun activity to do in Paris would be a walking tour! There are many amazing sights within walking distance, and I have found that walking tours really allow you to take time and see things. Being in another country, it's also nice to be walking among the local people, to get a feeling for the place. In a car or bus it can feel more like a show than a real place. Many companies offer walking tours in Paris. Paris Walks looks like a nice one.
Have you been to Paris? What do you suggest I do there? Do you love Home Alone as much as I do? I didn't think so, most people don't. That doesn't stop me from loving it, though. Let me know where you think I should go next on a wishful vacation!
Happy travels!
xoxo - Erika
Photo from here.
It is so adorable, silly, and sweet. The music by John Williams is awesome, too. In Home Alone, the whole family leaves poor little Kevin at home alone while they go to Paris. He survives the ordeal, but no one really gets to enjoy Paris because they are all worried about Kevin! So, in honor of Home Alone, for this imaginary trip, I choose
Wishful Vacation #9
Paris, France
Why I imagine I would go to Paris:
I actually have been to Paris before, back in high school. It was pretty amazing then, but I didn't get to spend enough time in the city. Now, I'm married to an awesome man who hasn't been to Europe. I want to go back to Paris with him and explore! I love French food, so that would be another huge reason to go.
Photo by Benh LIEU SONG.
Paris is the capital of France and a very stylish city. It has a long history (the area has remnants of settlements from 4200 B.C.) and some really cool landmarks. The Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe, the Avenue des Champs-Élysées (pictured above), and the Louvre are all spots I was able to visit the first time I went to Paris. I'd like to visit those again and add to the list! Paris around Christmas-time must be totally gorgeous, too.
Where I imagine I might stay in Paris:
If I'm staying in Paris, I want to stay somewhere with a very classic French style, somewhere like the Plaza Athénée. Built in 1889, the hotel features guest rooms with Louis XVI and Regency-style decor. It's so beautiful! I know that I would feel very fancy staying there.
Photo from here.
Depending on which side of the hotel my room is on, I could have a view of the avenue Montaigne, La Cour Jardin (one of the hotel restaurants' courtyard), the rooftops of Montmartre, or a side view of the Eiffel Tower! I guess I choose the tower. Check out this view!
Photo from here.
A special feature of the Plaza Athenée is their pillow menu! I would have my choice of six different types of pillows, including wheat or de-stressing (whatever that means, I'm sure it's lovely). I want to stay in a room that looks like this:
Photo from here.
Perfectly Parisian, don't you think? I think staying here would be quite a luxurious experience, which leads me right to my next topic.
What I imagine I would eat in Paris:
The Plaza Athenée hotel is also home to Alain Ducasse at Plaza Athénée restaurant. Chef Alain Ducasse has many renowned restaurants around the world, but the closest I've been to eating at one was going to Las Vegas and not eating there. He has a restaurant in Vegas called miX, but it was too expensive! Being this is a dream vacation, and his restaurant is IN my hotel, I think I'll just go ahead and eat there, no?
Photo from here.
On the website, there is a link to his New Year's Eve dinner menu. It sounds pretty delightful. It includes sea scallops, prawns, turbot, and lobster, and you know what a fan of seafood I am! For dessert, there is truffle brie, chocolate, champagne, and citrus. Yummy!
While I'm in France, I want to eat the way the locals do, too. I love French bread, cheese, pastries, cured meats and pates. When I went to Paris in high school, we ate at some random bistro, and I was amazed by the delicious (and simple) roasted chicken and fries. The fries were round potato slices, which just seemed so much better than any fries I had eaten before!
I want to find a bakery like this:
Image from here.
and a bistro like this:
Image from here.
and I want to eat what they have to offer. I think it would be great fun to eat in Paris. They seem to place a bigger emphasis on food quality and meal-time than in America, and I like that a lot. From my experience, they also include chocolate in their breakfasts regularly. Awesome!
What I imagine I would do as a fun activity in Paris:
I think a fun activity to do in Paris would be a walking tour! There are many amazing sights within walking distance, and I have found that walking tours really allow you to take time and see things. Being in another country, it's also nice to be walking among the local people, to get a feeling for the place. In a car or bus it can feel more like a show than a real place. Many companies offer walking tours in Paris. Paris Walks looks like a nice one.
Have you been to Paris? What do you suggest I do there? Do you love Home Alone as much as I do? I didn't think so, most people don't. That doesn't stop me from loving it, though. Let me know where you think I should go next on a wishful vacation!
Happy travels!
xoxo - Erika
Friday, December 9, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
#8 - A Rainforest Retreat
I love spending time outdoors. I love plants and animals. I love weather. I love the color green. Really, it is my favorite color. So in honor of some of my favorite things, for my next imaginary vacation I choose
Wishful Vacation #8
Monteverde, Costa Rica
Why I imagine I would go to Costa Rica:
Costa Rica has rainforests. This small country in Central America is amazing because of its biodiversity. It has a great variety of habitats from the coast to the mountainous inland regions. The rainforest itself has many layers of life. It would be amazing to see it in person.
Monteverde, in the center of the country, is a lush cloud forest. I have been in cloud forest environments in a couple of greenhouses, and it is like a wonderland to me. I love the coolness and the humidity. It feels refreshing. Monteverde sits 4600 feet above sea level, and is literally in the clouds. The moisture from the clouds provides nourishment for the forest's inhabitants.
The ecosystem contains 100 species of mammals that we know of (can you imagine!?), 400 species of birds, and over 2500 species of plants, including 420 orchids! I would love to watch nature in action in such a rich habitat!
Where I imagine I might stay in Costa Rica:
The Hotel Belmar in Monteverde is a small, eco-friendly lodge right in the middle of the cloud forest area. The style of the outside of the hotel looks strangely northern European. But, the style of the rooms is more tropical. There are only 28 rooms in the whole hotel, which means more peace and quiet for me!
I love the open porches in the rooms. I can tell from the exterior shot that balconies are a major feature of this hotel. Its location up on a hill would afford gorgeous views of the mountain forest. I can't wait!
I would love to listen to the sounds of the forest from this room. The hotel doesn't have a pool, but they do have a large jacuzzi with cloud forest views. I guess I'll settle for that.
What I imagine I would eat in Costa Rica:
Cheese. Seriously? Cheese? There is a cheese factory in Monteverde, which almost doesn't make sense, but there it is. Quakers from the United States founded it. So strange! I guess I would try their cheese. I also would have to eat some more traditional food while I'm in Costa Rica.
This photo is from a cool-looking restaurant called Tree House. I think they probably named it after that huge tree in the middle of the room! They serve light food and snacks, so it would work for a light lunch. The huge ficus tree growing inside would be really fun to see.
Flor de Vida restaurant is a local favorite. The New York Times says they have the "best and healthiest fare to be found in Monteverde." Sounds like a good start! They offer daily specials and lots of interesting vegetarian dishes. That sounds like just the thing for my eco-friendly Costa Rica experience.
What I imagine I would do as a fun activity in Costa Rica:
I want to go on a hike in the cloud forest. Maybe more than one. I also want to spend time looking for animals and plants with a knowledgeable guide. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve has a nature center with guided hikes that sound amazing. The hike I most want to take is the early morning bird-watching hike. Birds in the tropical regions are so numerous and so colorful! It would be awesome to see them in their natural habitat.
Costa Rica's cloud forests would definitely feel like another world! How much time have you spent in the woods? Where should I go on my next imaginary adventure?
Happy travels!
xoxo - Erika
Wishful Vacation #8
Monteverde, Costa Rica
Why I imagine I would go to Costa Rica:
Costa Rica has rainforests. This small country in Central America is amazing because of its biodiversity. It has a great variety of habitats from the coast to the mountainous inland regions. The rainforest itself has many layers of life. It would be amazing to see it in person.
Photo from here.
Monteverde, in the center of the country, is a lush cloud forest. I have been in cloud forest environments in a couple of greenhouses, and it is like a wonderland to me. I love the coolness and the humidity. It feels refreshing. Monteverde sits 4600 feet above sea level, and is literally in the clouds. The moisture from the clouds provides nourishment for the forest's inhabitants.
Photo from here.
The ecosystem contains 100 species of mammals that we know of (can you imagine!?), 400 species of birds, and over 2500 species of plants, including 420 orchids! I would love to watch nature in action in such a rich habitat!
Where I imagine I might stay in Costa Rica:
The Hotel Belmar in Monteverde is a small, eco-friendly lodge right in the middle of the cloud forest area. The style of the outside of the hotel looks strangely northern European. But, the style of the rooms is more tropical. There are only 28 rooms in the whole hotel, which means more peace and quiet for me!
Photo from here.
I love the open porches in the rooms. I can tell from the exterior shot that balconies are a major feature of this hotel. Its location up on a hill would afford gorgeous views of the mountain forest. I can't wait!
Photo from here.
I would love to listen to the sounds of the forest from this room. The hotel doesn't have a pool, but they do have a large jacuzzi with cloud forest views. I guess I'll settle for that.
What I imagine I would eat in Costa Rica:
Cheese. Seriously? Cheese? There is a cheese factory in Monteverde, which almost doesn't make sense, but there it is. Quakers from the United States founded it. So strange! I guess I would try their cheese. I also would have to eat some more traditional food while I'm in Costa Rica.
This photo is from a cool-looking restaurant called Tree House. I think they probably named it after that huge tree in the middle of the room! They serve light food and snacks, so it would work for a light lunch. The huge ficus tree growing inside would be really fun to see.
Flor de Vida restaurant is a local favorite. The New York Times says they have the "best and healthiest fare to be found in Monteverde." Sounds like a good start! They offer daily specials and lots of interesting vegetarian dishes. That sounds like just the thing for my eco-friendly Costa Rica experience.
What I imagine I would do as a fun activity in Costa Rica:
I want to go on a hike in the cloud forest. Maybe more than one. I also want to spend time looking for animals and plants with a knowledgeable guide. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve has a nature center with guided hikes that sound amazing. The hike I most want to take is the early morning bird-watching hike. Birds in the tropical regions are so numerous and so colorful! It would be awesome to see them in their natural habitat.
Photo from here.
Happy travels!
xoxo - Erika
Friday, December 2, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
#7 - My addiction to House Hunters International
Okay, so I just spent a couple of hours watching HHI. Are you a fan? House Hunters International? It's on about 20 times a day on HGTV. Maybe more. I set my DVR to save five episodes at a time, and if I get a quiet moment, I watch them. The show follows people as they choose one from among three houses to purchase or rent. The international version only shows houses outside of the US. It's a cool glimpse into the lives of people in foreign lands, and I love seeing the variations in house size, price, age, and style.
The episode that inspired this post featured a couple looking for an apartment with an ocean view in Dubrovnik, Croatia. I had heard that this city is beautiful and has become a more popular tourist destination in the last five to ten years. Dubrovnik, which is part of the Dalmatian region of Croatia, has gorgeous old buildings and a really dramatic, rocky coastline. Check it.
Wishful Vacation #7
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Why I imagine I would go to Dubrovnik:
Dubrovnik, the "pearl of the Adriatic," is a very old city. Evidence suggests that this area was settled sometime before the 1st century AD. The city has been under the control of many different empires through history. Coming from America, where we don't really have many ancient structures around, I love the idea of visiting the location of an ancient civilization.
In addition to being historically interesting, Dubrovnik is really beautiful. The sea is deep blue. The color of the stone buildings and terracotta tile roofs remind me of Santa Barbara, California. With more history.
Where I imagine I might stay in Dubrovnik:
I found the website that the couple from the House Hunters episode operate, Dubrovnik Apartment Source. They maintain a listing of rental properties available for vacationers in Dubrovnik. Based on their site, I found some beautiful choices for my stay. I would love to have a sea view and a really relaxing place. Let's see what I can find. . .
Aha! Though this place, Villa Umbria, is located an hour north of Dubrovnik, it is spectacular! I love that the house is made of stone and the ocean view is awesome.
What!? That place is incredible. The inside of the house is also magnificent. It looks handmade and old, and has several big bedrooms. The stonework and arched windows have such great character.
The huge dining room table would be great to have a big family dinner, and there is another huge wooden table on the patio, as well. I think in this imaginary vacation I will bring the whole extended family! It would be such a nice place to hang out together. There is a minimum stay of 5 days. I think I could make that work.
What I imagine I would eat in Dubrovnik:
Dubrovnik features Mediterranean cuisine - lots of seafood, pasta, pizza, polenta - everything cooked with olive oil, garlic and parsley. Imagine coastal southern Italian food. Sounds pretty good to me! Maybe since this is an imaginary vacation, I could hire a chef to come make some food at my rental house and serve it up on the patio. That would be perfection!
What I imagine I would do as a fun activity in Dubrovnik:
The biggest tourist attraction in Dubrovnik is the ancient city walls. The walk around the old town on the walls is a great way to get a good look at the whole city. The walls also overlook the beautiful blue sea, which would be lovely. The walls are old and some of the walk consists of steep stairways. I think I could handle the trek in order to see the views and get up close to such an interesting old structure. I can anticipate a lot of photo opportunities along the way!
Dubrovnik sure is beautiful! Where should I go on my next imaginary adventure? What is your favorite place to dream about?
Happy travels!
xoxo - Erika
The episode that inspired this post featured a couple looking for an apartment with an ocean view in Dubrovnik, Croatia. I had heard that this city is beautiful and has become a more popular tourist destination in the last five to ten years. Dubrovnik, which is part of the Dalmatian region of Croatia, has gorgeous old buildings and a really dramatic, rocky coastline. Check it.
Photo by Anna Zgorelec.
Dubrovnik looks like a place I would love to explore. I would love to wander through the tiny alleyways in old town and to visit the amazing Sponza palace and Minceta tower. I don't think I would purchase a home there, but this couple fell in love with it on vacation, so I guess anything is possible!
Photo from here.
Wishful Vacation #7
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Why I imagine I would go to Dubrovnik:
Dubrovnik, the "pearl of the Adriatic," is a very old city. Evidence suggests that this area was settled sometime before the 1st century AD. The city has been under the control of many different empires through history. Coming from America, where we don't really have many ancient structures around, I love the idea of visiting the location of an ancient civilization.
In addition to being historically interesting, Dubrovnik is really beautiful. The sea is deep blue. The color of the stone buildings and terracotta tile roofs remind me of Santa Barbara, California. With more history.
Where I imagine I might stay in Dubrovnik:
I found the website that the couple from the House Hunters episode operate, Dubrovnik Apartment Source. They maintain a listing of rental properties available for vacationers in Dubrovnik. Based on their site, I found some beautiful choices for my stay. I would love to have a sea view and a really relaxing place. Let's see what I can find. . .
All photos of Villa Umbria from here.
Aha! Though this place, Villa Umbria, is located an hour north of Dubrovnik, it is spectacular! I love that the house is made of stone and the ocean view is awesome.
What!? That place is incredible. The inside of the house is also magnificent. It looks handmade and old, and has several big bedrooms. The stonework and arched windows have such great character.
The huge dining room table would be great to have a big family dinner, and there is another huge wooden table on the patio, as well. I think in this imaginary vacation I will bring the whole extended family! It would be such a nice place to hang out together. There is a minimum stay of 5 days. I think I could make that work.
What I imagine I would eat in Dubrovnik:
Dubrovnik features Mediterranean cuisine - lots of seafood, pasta, pizza, polenta - everything cooked with olive oil, garlic and parsley. Imagine coastal southern Italian food. Sounds pretty good to me! Maybe since this is an imaginary vacation, I could hire a chef to come make some food at my rental house and serve it up on the patio. That would be perfection!
Photo by Jerzy Strzelecki, Wikimedia Commons.
What I imagine I would do as a fun activity in Dubrovnik:
The biggest tourist attraction in Dubrovnik is the ancient city walls. The walk around the old town on the walls is a great way to get a good look at the whole city. The walls also overlook the beautiful blue sea, which would be lovely. The walls are old and some of the walk consists of steep stairways. I think I could handle the trek in order to see the views and get up close to such an interesting old structure. I can anticipate a lot of photo opportunities along the way!
Photo by Daniel Ortmann, Wikimedia Commons.
Dubrovnik sure is beautiful! Where should I go on my next imaginary adventure? What is your favorite place to dream about?
Happy travels!
xoxo - Erika
Friday, November 25, 2011
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving! - From Plimoth Plantation
Happy Thanksgiving!
For this holiday, my usual tradition is to cook a lot of food and eat it with family and friends. I think this is how most of us who celebrate Thanksgiving do it. Turkey, stuffing, potatoes, pie, cranberries... Delicious. I thought that it might be cool to get a glimpse back in time to the historical reference point of our modern Thanksgiving.
I have heard the tales of the English settlers in the New World eating peacefully with the native people, learning about which foods they could eat and how to prepare them. They all sat at a big table and ate together or something like that. If I want to take a trip to confirm or contest any of my prior knowledge about Thanksgiving, it's gotta be to Plimoth Plantation, the Smithsonian Institute-affiliated historic site.
I hope you have a great Thanksgiving Day with the ones you love!
Happy travels!
xoxo - Erika
For this holiday, my usual tradition is to cook a lot of food and eat it with family and friends. I think this is how most of us who celebrate Thanksgiving do it. Turkey, stuffing, potatoes, pie, cranberries... Delicious. I thought that it might be cool to get a glimpse back in time to the historical reference point of our modern Thanksgiving.
I have heard the tales of the English settlers in the New World eating peacefully with the native people, learning about which foods they could eat and how to prepare them. They all sat at a big table and ate together or something like that. If I want to take a trip to confirm or contest any of my prior knowledge about Thanksgiving, it's gotta be to Plimoth Plantation, the Smithsonian Institute-affiliated historic site.
Photo from here.
A trip to Plimoth Plantation would be an amazing educational vacation to take with my children. Contained within the site are a 17th century English village, a Wampanoag homesite, and the Mayflower II, a recreation of the original Mayflower ship. Each area has role players or experts in the field to answer any questions about life in those colonial days. The native people who reside in the Wampanoag homesite are all from various modern day tribes, and they speak about the experience from a modern point of view. Role players in the English village (Pilgrims) all pretend to have no knowledge of life after 1627. It would be crazy to talk to them about their lives!I hope you have a great Thanksgiving Day with the ones you love!
Happy travels!
xoxo - Erika
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