Flying to the Top of the World (By Amanda Steele)

  photo: @ArticMandy

The first thing you ask yourself when flying in the Canadian Arctic: Where exactly is the airport security?  Most of us reach the Arctic by the way of Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories.  We walk to our connecting flight’s terminal and then it hits us, “Wait a sec! No one has searched my bag!”  Yes, you are free to board that Northern flight with your nail clippers.

Flights on the Arctic’s larger carriers are what I image flying was like for my grandparents. Sit back and relax while flight attendants greet you with a warm towel. Your flight to the hub of Nunavut is accompanied by a hot meal (with real food) followed by your complimentary glass of wine.  The capstone to this in-flight meal is the after dinner mint.

Looking around the cabin mid-flight you might begin to wonder why the aircraft is divided in half between cargo and passengers. Don’t worry; all of this will become apparent soon. As you’re waiting for your luggage to appear on the baggage carousel (when there is a carousel), take note as to what items are passing by.  In your typical airport, you’ll see the various sizes of suitcases and the odd guitar case go around. In the Arctic, it’s not uncommon to see building material, fresh food or cases of Pepsi. All of these items of course have proper baggage tags.  While waiting for my luggage at the Rankin Inlet airport in Nunavut, I watched a pizza box move along the carousel.  With no trains or roads going in or out of most Arctic communities airplanes become your delivery man.

photo: @ArticMandy

Your final mission that day is hunting down the local taxi driver. Your ride in town may or may not be with an actual taxi company. It’s quite common to see the locals pile their luggage into the pack of a truck; hand over their house keys and throw the driver $20. You’ll hear the odd, “Just leave my keys on the kitchen table.”  This kind of trust and friendliness is contagious in the Arctic.

One final word of advice: don’t assume that since you can navigate through Heathrow or pinpoint all the Starbucks in JFK that you’re also an expert in Arctic flying! Take some advice from the locals.  On a trip to Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories, my return flight to Yellowknife was scheduled to depart at 2 pm. I was shocked when I was told that in a community of 400 people I should be at the airport 2 hours in advance. I was in complete disbelieve. Apparently, the plane arrives around noon and departs shortly afterwards. Seats on the flight are on a first come first serve basis. I’m glad I took the advice because several people we left to wait for the next flight out.

Flying in the Canadian Arctic is an experience all to itself. Hopefully, you decide to do it someday because you have no idea the amount of untapped adventures that await in the North.
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The above guest article was written by Amanda Steele. Amanda is a resident of Yellowknife, Canada and an avid traveler. She's currently feeding her travel addiction in London, UK. Follow her adventures on Twitter.

My Love Affair With London (by Nikita Patel)

I have had a love affair going strong for almost 20 years. It's disastrously unhealthy, but it's fulfilling in every way imaginable. It seems sometimes I do nothing to keep it going, yet I am never, ever bored. It's been long distance for the last fourteen years, but that's what makes it work. Distance makes the heart grow fonder, as they say.

It's with a little place called London and I don't see it ending anytime soon.

I first met London when I was four. I still remember the day, like an old film. It was drizzly, the wind was howling, and my stomach was not in a good mood. My parents stopped the car and let me walk around a bit to calm my rumbling tummy. It was then that I first experienced those dirty streets, the same ones that I would later experience all over again. I won't ever forget the way London smelled that first time. It was a mixture between pipe tobacco and fish & chips, which may seem like an unsettling combination, but I somehow couldn't stop breathing in the scent. It made me feel better. And I just stood there, mesmerized by the fast pace people walked, the glow of the stop lights, the burst of colors. It was love at first sight.

photo: A day out in London | Nikita Patel

From that day on, I spent every weekend with London. I'll admit that it was kind of overwhelming at first. I was from a little town that did not even begin to compare to such a loud, exciting character. But, I quickly got over the feeling and began to see London not as something to be intimidated by, but as something to embrace. I suddenly felt older. Each weekend was spent eating cuisine from far away lands, running around pubs, and just lying in parks reading books. I was obviously still young, but I knew that I wanted to be with London for as long as I possibly could. It was like an insatiable need that could only be fulfilled every time I went back.

Good things don't last forever, as I soon came to find out. I moved to the U.S. when I was nine, and I was heartbroken. Who was I going to visit every weekend? London was thousands of miles away and I certainly wasn't old enough to visit by myself. I suddenly felt alone. But, thinking about how much I missed London lead me to  a certain conclusion. If anything, London taught me resilience. A lot has happened to it in its years, yet it was still standing. By result, my problems seemed minute and I somehow realized that. So, I got off my high horse and began to live without it. Of course I visited, but it never was the same, especially after only seeing it once every few years. The spark was gone. London seemed banal and lifeless. It didn't really want to show me color. It wanted to show me what I had already seen and I just wasn't having it. That is until the summer of 2007 when everything changed.

photo: Millennium Bridge | Nikita Patel

I studied abroad at the University of Cambridge that summer. After my stint, I decided to visit London for old times sake. I wasn't expecting something extravagant. I thought we would go to those old places, like the pub or the corner restaurant. However, something had changed when I got off the train. London, it seemed, was very much alive and I immediately felt swept up in its beauty. It was like a rush of emotions all at once. My teeth were chattering from nerves as I walked through King's Cross. London was actually making me anxious, I thought in disbelief, shaking my head.

As the slanted escalator brought me up from the underground, I smelled it and I heard it and I felt it. The sun was shining (for once) and there were children running through the busy streets, making pigeons flutter into the sky. A reggae band was playing on homemade instruments, stopping everyone from investment bankers to bums to have a listen. I stood there with my luggage and took it all in. The sunlight touched my body, filling me with a single thought: this is why I fell in love with London in the first place.

photo: Tottenham Court Road | alighthere.com

I never experienced London as an adult, but being one made everything that much better. I could walk around Piccadilly with my friends until the morning popped its head out of the night. I could ride the tube all day long and have fantastic conversations with strangers. I could experience places like Camden Market and Canary Wharf without being held back. I could love London that much more because I was no longer restricted. As a result, I left London that summer a completely different person.

 photo: London Eye | Nikita Patel

Last December, I saw London again. I was no longer obsessed with it like I used to be as a child. It was a different kind of admiration that made me feel quite grown up. When I got out of the airport and was greeted by a cold winter nip on the nose, I was happy. Of course I missed London, but not in the same way that I missed it before. Before, I had missed London for materialistic reasons. Now, I missed London like I missed an old friend that taught me how to live. It may not always be there for me physically, but I am ingrained with its spirit, and that sort of feeling can never be lost.
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Nikita Patel has been traveling extensively since she was a child and is now on a mission to tell stories about the world, one city at a time. You can follow her adventures on her blog or Twitter @Nikita_Patel.

How to Remain a Tourist While Living as an Expat

So you’ve packed up your bags and are moving overseas for a year. It might be a work contract, school, or just the desire to travel that has brought you to this new place. On the plane ride over you promise yourself you will see the sights, learn a foreign language, and embrace the new culture. However, after a month you find the novelty wearing off and you are back to your old ways, whatever they might be. While having a sense of stability and routine can be comforting while away from home for extended periods of time, you don’t want to miss out on the local culture and attractions around you.  Here are some tips for remaining a tourist, even while living as an expat:

  photo: to-do list | John Schultz

Make a to-do list: While this may seem obvious, it really helps you focus on the things that are really important to you while you are residing in your new country. Rank them in order of importance, and then try to check off one a week – this will give you something to look forward to on a regular basis and help you shake off your routine a bit.

 photo: camera play | NotoriousJen

Always have your camera with you and more importantly remember to take pictures with it! Even if you walk by the same cathedral/parliament/fountain etc. on the way to work each day, it is still an attraction, and something you’ll want pictures of while you’re gone.  Make sure to get pictures of all the people you meet along the way, so years down the road you have something to remember them by.  Memory cards are fairly cheap these days so get snapping!

Blog – writing down the exciting things you are doing (or not doing), will give you a reason to get out there and make some memories. After all, you are going to want to share your experiences with everyone back home and this will help you to keep track of them all.  You can also connect with other travel writers to get ideas of things to see and do where you are located.

Talk to the locals – whether it’s a train ride home or waiting for the bus, introduce yourself to the locals and ask them  where to go to grab a bit to eat.  Guide books and websites are great resources, but word of mouth from someone who actually lives there is better.  Who knows what great places you will stumble across this way.

photo: leap frog | randomshenanigans

Lastly – remember to have fun! After all you may not have the chance to return so get out and see it now while you can.  If you just want to work and save money, you likely could have done that back in your native country.  So get out there and enjoy the experience before heading back home!
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The above guest article was written by Jennifer Tice. Jennifer is a former marketing manager and social media consultant from Canada who quit her job to travel, and blog about her adventures along the way.  Her stops include New Zealand, Australia and Asia. You can follow her journey at www.jennifertice.com and on Twitter.

I Love You India, I Hate You India: 5 Tips on Surviving This Amazing Country

photo: Itimad-ud-Daulah's Tomb - Agra

India.  A country that evokes every possible emotion and punishes all five senses, sometimes all at once.  A place that has you gasping at the natural beauty of the Himalayas and man-made beauty of the Taj Mahal, but also at the horrific poverty that is impossible to escape.  A place that tests you every time you step out the door.  A place you love.  A place you hate.  This is India.

No other place on our round the world trip created such strong feelings as India did.  It was great.  It was terrible.  It was awesome.  It was horrible.  We met some of the loveliest people we’ve ever come across, and we met some of the worst.  India is a tough place to figure out, and it’s a place I both loved and hated, often within minutes of each other.  It’s a place where it’s hard to let your guard down, but if you do, you can have the experience of a lifetime.

 photo: Taj Mahal (side)

I’m not trying to scare anyone away from this country of vast extremes, but it is crucial to understand what one is getting into when arriving in India.  Every person has a certain threshold when it comes to travel.  Even the most experienced of travelers have been beaten down by the non-stop, in your face aspect of India.  It’s a test of patience for westerners, and if you don’t have or aren’t able to really channel it, you’re in for a rude awakening and probably won’t come out of it with a positive view of the country.  It’s a difficult place to travel in, but if you can somehow manage to let go and go with the flow in a place that seems completely backwards, you can meet some of the warmest, kindest people in the world.  

Tip One: Do a bit of research.
I know most backpackers like to fly by the seat of their pants and go with the flow, which is important to do in India, but it’s also a good idea to have at least a bit of a plan.  Try to figure out the places you’re going and do a bit of advanced research.  I’m not suggesting you should plan everything out to a “T” because that would never work either.  A balance is necessary.  India is a huge country with different customs and cultures.  It helps so much to know about the people and customs when you visit certain regions (this is true of any country, really).  It also helps to have some kind of idea of where certain things are, like bus and train stations and the place you’re staying.  If you look like you have some idea of where you’re going and don’t look completely lost, it really cuts down on the harassment from the touts and people looking to take advantage of you.  India is a great place to wander, but walking with an air of confidence as if you live there and know exactly where you’re going is a valuable trait to learn.

Tip Two:  Keep your guard up.
It’s essential to always be aware of your surrounding and everything going on around you in India.  You will be swarmed from the get-go, by rickshaw drivers, touts, store owners, pretty much everyone.  If you’re white and western looking, unfortunately you’re seen as one big giant dollar sign by many.  In a country as poor as India, it’s to be expected.  It’s not changing any time soon, so you better just get used to it.  Know that’s the case, be aware of it, and embrace it.  Knowing and accepting that people will try to take advantage of you may be a difficult concept to embrace, but I promise you, the sooner you do it, the sooner you’ll start enjoying yourself.  

Tip Three:  Go with the flow, don’t fight it.
This may seem a bit contradictory to the last tip, but you’ll find out that everything in India is about finding that balance between extremes.  Getting to that middle ground will improve your stay immensely.  While it’s important to have your guard up, it’s also important to just go with the flow sometimes.  Things WILL go wrong in India.  That’s a fact.  Your plans, at some point, will be completely flipped upside down because, well, you’re in India.  Go with it.  Getting huffy and angry and being impatient will NOT help matters at all.  Just like the above tip, you just have to accept and know that this will happen when traveling in India, and if you can learn to just let go, don’t fight it, and just roll with the punches, you’ll be better for it.

 photo: Smiling locals in Rishikesh

Tip Four:  Smile and learn the head waggle.
You will feel anger and frustration at some point when traveling in India.  You will reach a point where you just want to stop and scream at the next tout who comes up and asks you to come look their shop, to take their rickshaw, to buy their sarong, to buy some hash, or to go on some ridiculous tour.  Stop.  Take a deep breath.  And smile.  It’s amazing what a smile can do for you.  It’s universal.  Everyone, no matter what race, sex, or cultural background, responds to a big, warm smile.  A warm smile along with a firm “no” can stop even the most pushy of touts in his tracks and force him to let his guard down a bit.  The longer you spend in India, the more you will start to notice a very subtle, back and forth head waggle.  Learn how to do this.  You won’t be able to do it as well, and they will laugh at you, but that’s OK.  It will let them see that you care about their culture, which will open doors for you and let you experience the real India.  They will begin to see you as a person instead of money, and that’s when you really get to see the warmth of the Indian people.

Tip Five:  Patience is your best friend.
You may have noticed a trend here in all these tips.  They all require a tremendous amount of patience.  In order to get the most out of India, patience is the BEST virtue you can tap into.  I am not the most patient of people, and considering we visited India at the very end of a year long trip, I was not in the mood to be patient anymore.  It damn near ruined my time there.  It almost got the best of me.  Luckily I travel with my ever so patient wife who was able to get me to channel that patience that we both knew was there.  Whatever it is that you have to do, whether it’s spending a few hours each afternoon in your room away from the chaos, going to a less intense part of India like Goa, stopping for a beer or two more often than normal, or really doing it up like the locals and taking yoga, find a way to be patient.  You have to change your mindset when traveling in India, and if you’re able to be really patient, it will all work out.

 photo: Taken from the Kuari Pass Trek in the Indian Himalayas

Going to a place like India is why I travel.  It’s so completely opposite of everything I know and am used to, which is thrilling to me.  Seeing how others live their lives, despite the fact that it’s so different than how I live mine, is the thing that always keeps me coming back for more.  Witnessing how India makes it all work, regardless of the dirt, trash, poverty, and overpopulation, is fascinating.  Using these tips to your advantage will drastically improve your time in India, and hopefully you’ll come away with much more love than hate in a country that’s filled with a huge heart.  You may have to dig a bit to find it, but once you do, that Indian heart is incredible.
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The following guest article was written by Adam Seper - travel blogger from St Louis, MO. Adam and his wife recently returned from a year long trip. Together, they have visited 11 countries and 80+ cities. Check out his blog here or follow Adam on Twitter! 
All photo credit: Adam Seper

Where I've Been / Briggs & Riley Giveaway!

Yup! That's right, we're giving away cool stuff...  starting TODAY.

Where I've Been and Briggs & Riley have teamed up for the next 5 weeks to reward our travel communities for their loyal involvement in #traveltuesday! We're giving away luxurious luggage, each week, to cater to all types of travelers - frequent, tech saavy, leisure, accomplished professional, adventure.  All you gotta do is tune in to @whereivebeen on Twitter at 12pm CST today and simply answer the question I provide. (Be sure to include the fantabulous hashtag "#traveltuesday" along with your answer!)  

Here's what we're giving away: The Baseline – 21” One-Touch Expandable Upright luggage bag. Ch-ch-check it out!

To participate: 

--Follow @whereivebeen & @BriggsandRiley on Twitter.

--Tune in at 12pm (CST) on Tuesday, May 25th and simply answer the question (inc. the hashtag) provided by @whereivebeen.

--The question: "The annual Oktoberfest celebration is held in which German city? #traveltuesday" Your answer: "___________  #traveltuesday"

Winner will be announced on the @whereivebeen Twitter page on Wednesday, 25th May 2010. If you are selected as the winner, make sure you Direct Message [DM] us, @whereivebeen, within 24 hours after contest ends. In your DM, include your real name and email address. 

To qualify, all entries must be received between the hours of 12:00pm CST on Tues, 25th May 2010 to 12:00pm. CT on Wednesday, 26th May 2010. Limited to one [1] entry per person/Twitter address.

Here are the official rules, folks.

Description of the Where I've Been / Briggs & Riley Luggage Giveaway ["Giveaway"]: Via online method only, entrants will have the opportunity to win a Baseline – 21” One-Touch Expandable Upright luggage bag from Briggs and Riley. Entrants must be a follower of @whereivebeen & @BriggsandRiley on Twitter and must answer the day's question under the hastag "#traveltuesday"

Entries will be officially accepted by Where I've Been starting at 12:00pm CT on Tuesday, May 25th, 2010 to 12:00pm. CT on Wednesday, May 26th 2010. Contest runs for full twenty four [24] hours only. Winner to be announced Wednesday, May 26th 2010.

The "Giveaway" Eligibility: The "Giveaway" is open only to legal residents of the 48 contiguous United States (including the District of Columbia), who are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry. Employees of Where I've Been, LLC, Briggs and Riley, and their respective parent companies, affiliates, promotion and other vendor agencies involved in the "Giveaway", as well as the immediate family members (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members of each such employee, are NOT eligible. Void in Alaska, Hawaii and where prohibited or restricted by law. The "Giveaway" is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

How to enter the "Giveaway":  Follow @whereivebeen & @BriggsandRiley on Twitter. Participants must check the @whereivebeen Twitter page at 12:00pm CST on Tuesday 25th May for question. Answer the question with hashtag #traveltuesday.  Winner will be notified via the @whereivebeen page. You will be required to contact Where I've Been by Direct Message [DM] via Twitter within twenty four [24] hours if you have been notified you are a winner.  

Grand prize winners prize selection and notification: Odds of winning are based on eligible number of entries. Winners will be selected at random by official Where I've Been staff member. Grand Prize notification will be completed on May 26th. Potential Grand Prize winners will be notified via the @whereivebeen page on Twitter and asked to DM their full name and email address. If any winner notification remains unanswered for more than twenty four [24] hours, the prize will be forfeited in its entirety and an alternate winner will be selected. The Grand Prize is not transferable; no prize substitutions or cash alternatives are allowed except as may be determined by Sponsors in its sole discretion.

By entering the "Giveaway", participants release and hold harmless Sponsors, and their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, employees, and agents from any and all liability for any injuries, loss, or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with the "Giveaway" or any prize won, including any injuries, loss or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with participation in the "Giveaway". Sponsors are not responsible for any typographical or other error in the printing of this offer, administration of the "Giveaway" or in the announcement of prizes. In the event Sponsor is prevented from continuing with the"Giveaway", or the integrity and/or feasibility of the "Giveaway" is undermined by any event including but not limited to fire, flood, epidemic, earthquake, explosion, labor dispute or strike, act of God or public enemy, satellite or equipment failure, riot or civil disturbance, war (declared or undeclared), terrorist threat or activity, or any federal, state or local government law, order or regulation, order of any court or jurisdiction, or other cause not reasonably within Sponsors' control (each a Force Majeure event or occurrence), Sponsors shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to abbreviate, modify, suspend, cancel, or terminate the "Giveaway" without further obligation and, if so, Sponsors reserves the right, but not the obligation, to award the prize from among all valid and eligible entries received up to the time of such Force Majeure event. All entries are the property of the Sponsors and are not returnable. The laws of the State of Illinois (USA), without regard to its conflict of law rules, will govern these Terms. Any action relating to this"Giveaway" shall be initiated only in the state and federal courts located in Cook County, Illinois (USA).

Online Registration: This "Giveaway" is intended for viewing in the United States only and shall be construed and evaluated according to U.S. law. Do not enter the "Giveaway" if you are not located in the 48 contiguous United States or if you are not a legal U.S. resident. Repetitive automated electronic submission of entries is specifically prohibited, and any such entries will be disqualified. Entries will be deemed made by the authorized account holder of the Twitter address submitted at the time of entry. In the event of a dispute, the potential winner may be required to provide proof that he/she is the authorized account holder of the identified twitter account, and Sponsor's decision will be final. Sponsors assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, entries, including any error that may result in an erroneous appearance of qualification for a prize. Sponsors are not responsible for any problem or technical malfunction of any computer equipment or software that results in loss of entry. 

WARNING: ANY ATTEMPT BY ANY PERSON TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY COMPUTERIZED SITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE "GIVEAWAY" IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSORS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGE FROM ANY SUCH PERSON TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

NO ENTRY FEE. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER, PLAY, OR WIN. THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS INTENDED FOR PLAY IN THE UNITED STATES AND CITIZENS ONLY. DO NOT ENTER THIS CONTEST IF YOU ARE NOT LOCATED IN THE UNITED STATES.

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Four of the Most Dramatic Kasbahs in Morocco

Kasbahs are fortresses originally built to defend cities – a fact that places them far from the town-centre bustle that defines modern Morocco to many travellers. A stay at a converted kasbah feels like entering a stronghold away from everyday life, with the peace inside only matched by the magnificent desert-and-mountain scenery beyond. Here's a selection of four of the most dramatic kasbahs in Morocco, perfect for adventurous types and relaxation-seekers alike...

Kasbah Tamadot

Kasbah Tamadot, Richard Branson’s Atlas Mountains getaway, is certainly the most lavish kasbah on our list. Staffed by locals, it’s a relaxed and homey affair despite the obvious no-expenses-spared remit – the attention to detail displayed in everything from the caring service and the beautiful design to the traditional Berber meals is spot-on rather than overly fussy, which is what's needed on a retreat of such grand scale. 

A check-list of luxuries lie in store: an infinity pool makes you feel like you’re swimming right into the mountains beyond and the toe-tinglingly relaxing outdoor treatments from Asounfou Spa aren't to be missed. But it’s the smaller joys that really make this kasbah feel special: there are six Berber tented suites on the hillside (enjoying the best views and their own plunge pools), and all 24 rooms and suites tastefully mix traditional Moroccan design with antiques from all over the world. Best of all are the stepped gardens, filled with flowering plants and evergreens, which are magic for a quiet stroll.

Kasbah du Toubkal

A paragon for sustainable tourism, the Kasbah du Toubkal is a former feudal caid's home turned eco-retreat at the foot of Mt Toubkal, the Atlas’ highest peak. The Kasbah is all about promoting and protecting the surrounding Toubkal National Park and its villages, delivering 5% from each booking back to local Berber communities, employing local staff and encouraging interaction with the area and locals in the form of organised treks. If the tendency for kasbahs to be marketed as exotic enclaves for predominantly western travellers sticks in your throat just a little, this is a more accessible alternative to kasbah-living.

 
In the spirit of this accessibility, the main lodge offers everything from Berber salons with shared bathrooms to garden suites with private terraces. All kinds of trekking options are available, too: go on day visits to surrounding villages, multi-day treks with overnight stop-offs at the remote Lodge Toubkal, or travel in style with five-day treks combined with luxury overnight stays.

Kasbah Bab Ourika

Less than an hour’s drive from Marrakech, Kasbah Bab Ourika styles itself as 'the gateway to the Atlas Mountains' – and it does have the feel of a last port of call to it. Snowy peaks, valleys and rivers roll beyond the handsome sand-coloured building like the backdrop from a fantasy novel, giving you the kind of bedroom-window views you can't tear your eyes away from.

All of the 15 individually-decorated guest-rooms come with such stunning scenes to look out on but, just as the outside feels vast in scale, inside there's a decidedly intimate and romantic atmosphere. Spend time here skiing, hiking, biking and trekking, exploring the Berber market at nearby Tnine Ourika or simply watching the sun go down in a lounger by the pool. A stay at Kasbah Bab Ourika means your environmental conscience can rest easily, too: solar panels are used to heat water and the whole place has been built using traditional Berber methods.

Kasbah Agafay

Want the magic of a kasbah stay without the remote location? Head to Kasbah Agafay, which is only 20 minutes by car from Marrakech's medina. This lets you combine the experience of a world-within-a-world kasbah stay with day-trips to the souks (though many don't venture far from its four walls, except to travel from the similarly close Marrakech Airport). Granted, you're flanked by roads, which is a main source of contention for kasbah die-hards, but it’s a small price to pay if you want to keep a foot on the grid and avoid total isolation. 

Agafay has a few other strings to its bow: a gorgeous outdoor pool is perfect for sunset swims, vast landscaped gardens are great for a wander and cooking lessons are offered in the hotel’s organic herb and vegetable garden, with most ingredients used whipped straight out of the earth. Even better, the relaxed environment means you can tuck in to the fruits of your cooking labour anywhere on the grounds – olive gardens and luxury Berber tent suites included.

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Isabel Clift is a writer and hotel reviewer for luxury hotels specialists TravelIntelligence.com. 

Todos Santos, Mexico - An Insider's Guide

In December 2006, I was on a family vacation in Cabo San Lucas and we took a day trip up to Todos Santos.  We instantly fell in love with the little town and I was head over heels for the new guy I had just met there (who later became my husband).  I began visiting Todos Santos on a regular basis (we were dating long distance – he was in Mexico, I was in California) and was quickly enchanted by life in Todos Santos.  With its slower pace, colonial facades and small town charm, it felt more like authentic Mexico than the other more popular destinations in Mexico I had visited before (Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, Mazatlan, etc.)  We are now lucky enough to call Todos Santos home and we have just turned our house into a boutique hotel – Villa Santa Cruz.
Here are a few thoughts about the feel of Todos Santos, as compared to American cities and other more popular Mexican destinations, and why it should jump to the top of your list as your next vacation:

 1. The beaches are empty.
Visiting the beaches in the US can often be more of a hassle than its worth.  I remember when we were living in Palo Alto, California, we’d drive over the mountains to the beach to escape the heat in the valley.  But, after spending 2 hours in traffic, parking miles away from the beach, and putting $20 worth of quarters into the meter, we were not exactly thrilled when we finally made it to the sand and could barely find an empty spot to put our towels.  This is often the experience I’ve had visiting Cancun and Cabo San Lucas as well – just too many people and too much noise (said at the expense of sounding like an old lady).

photo: La Pastora Beach

Here, in Todos Santos, you can walk on La Pastora beach, right in front of our hotel, and not see another person for the whole day.  It is a beautiful, wide, white sandy beach that you share with some seagulls and an occasional sea lion.  The same is true for Las Palmas beach just south of Todos Santos, which has the added bonus of being surrounded by a lush palm orchard.  While the San Pedrito and Cerritos beaches have a few more surfers and sunbathers, you’ll never feel part of a crowd.

photo: Las Palmas Beach

2. Delicious Restaurants.
For a small town, Todos Santos is blessed with a wide variety of delicious restaurants.  One of our favorites is Michael’s at the Gallery, serving sophisticated Asian fusion dishes in a romantic garden setting.  We love the gas fire lights and night blooming jasmine.  For authentic Mexican dishes, we highly recommend Landi’s at the Todos Santos Inn.  With affordable prices and live music a few nights a week, her restaurant is always fun, full of people, and is a true taste of Mexico.

  photo: Fisherman's house in Todos Santos

3. You know where your food comes from – great for vacation rentals.
While it is true that the local and organic food movement is gaining popularity in American towns (thanks to Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle), many people still depend on large grocery chains for the majority of their food.  This food is shipped in from around the globe, not only increasing its carbon footprint, but also putting a bit too much mystery into where your food actually comes from and how it was raised and handled.

photo: Fisherman in Punta Lobo

In Todos Santos, you know where your food comes from.  If you’ve rented any of the incredible homes listed on www.VRBO.com in Todos Santos, the grocery options will make you want to stay home and cook.  You can buy fresh fish from a local’s blue house in town at ridiculously cheap prices (about 5 dollars for 2 pounds of fish) or straight from the fishermen at the beach at Punta Lobo.  You can be assured that it was swimming either the day before or even just that morning in the ocean in Todos Santos.  In fact, you can see the fisherman in panga boats or shore fishing from right in front of our hotel. Additionally, you can buy fresh local organic produce from the Basilfields Fruit and Vegetable Stand with all its produce grown just south of town in Pescadero.

 photo: Punta Lobo

4.  Nothing is manicured.
Life is too easy in the suburbs.  The towns are well planned, the streets are paved with street lights, there are easy-to-follow maps, etc.  But, where’s the fun in that?

In Todos Santos, an adventurous spirit will get you everywhere.  For the most part, the roads are unpaved, the walkways are uneven, and directions are given by landmarks because even if the streets have names, no one knows or uses them (i.e. to get to our house – take the dirt road, go over the cattle guard and we are five gates up).  You see stray dogs, cows, and goats on the roads and you often find yourself driving next to a Mexican cowboy on horseback – this is “traffic” in our town.  Your car is often more than a little dusty and you probably have dirt under your fingernails, but there is something romantic about traveling off the beaten path in Mexico and living outside the lines of typical suburban life.
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Jessica Canepa, a former attorney, gave up the rat race to run a "boutique-ish" bed and breakfast on the beach in Todos Santos, Mexico with her husband.  Check it out at www.villasantacruzbaja.com and get the latest updates on Twitter and Facebook.

10 Spring Getaway Ideas to Get Off Nova Scotia’s Beaten Path and on the Authentic Seacoast

Spring may be our favourite time of year on the Nova Scotia Authentic Seacoast. Chedabucto Bay, the largest bay on the Nova Scotia Atlantic coast awakens from its winter sleep. And with more than 600 kilometres of shoreline, that’s a big yawn. Lobster boats cross the harbours. Clothes flap on backyard lines. Trout streams burble with new found vigour. And smiles dot the faces of people as they return to coastal walking trails and oceanside fairways.
Away from the crowds and the tourist attractions, the Nova Scotia Authentic Seacoast in spring gives travelers a true taste of the seacoast spirit that has brought visitors to these shores for more than 400 years. To help you look like a local when you visit Authentic Seacoast during the spring months, our local experts share their top 10 tips to experience the best of Nova Scotia’s Chedabucto Bay as it comes to life.

photo credit: Authentic Seacoast Resorts

1. Lobster Heaven
Locals say the biggest bay on the Nova Scotia Atlantic Coast means the best lobster and Chedabucto Bay’s cold waters produce some of the finest lobster on the East Coast. May and June is lobster season is on the Bay and the award winning restaurant in DesBarres Manor Inn celebrates with a two month Chedabucto Bay Lobster Festival to get guests up close and personal with Nova Scotia’s favourite crustacean.

2. We Hear the South Shore is for the Birds
As Chedabucto Bay includes the most easterly point of mainland Nova Scotia, the southern shores of the Bay become a bird watchers paradise.  Nearly 140 species of birds flock to barrens and bays of the south coast during breeding season making it one of Nova Scotia’s best places for spotting birds.

photo credit: Authentic Seacoast Resorts

3. It’s Hard to Keep Your Eyes on the Ball
That 60 acre peninsula sticking out into Guysborough Harbour at the head of Chedabucto Bay is the golf course at Osprey Shores Golf Resort. With scenic ocean views from every fairway, it’s hard to keep your eyes on your ball when you play the Osprey Shores course. The course is also home to a band of ball stealing foxes and each May brings a new litter of bandits in training. Cute alert!

4. Lobster 30 Ways
Award winning Chef Shaun Zwarun takes guests beyond steamed lobster with cooking classes in the DesBarres Manor Inn kitchen. Lobster perogies in a Roma tomato lemongrass salsa? Smoked lobster tail with a sweet onion marmalade? Lobster and wild mushroom Sheppard’s Pie? Mango black bean lobster martini? A cooking class with Chef Shaun means you’ll never look at lobster the same again.

5. A Stroll By The Sea
Starting with the first leg of the Trans Canada Trail in mainland Nova Scotia and ending with the Chapel Gully Trail at the mainland’s easternmost point the Authentic Seacoast’s coastal hiking trails take you to the extreme. Parts of the Province that is. These coastal trails are ideal for an easy to moderate spring hike that takes in the scenic beauty of Chedabucto Bay.

6. It Was This Big
The trout streams and lakes are legendary along the Authentic Seacoast. While the official start to the trout season begins April 15th, locals wait till the Alder leaves are the size of a mouse’s ear before heading off to catch the big one.

 photo credit: ngmackinnon | flickr

7. Starry Nights
Far away from the noise, light and air pollution of the cities, the planets take centre stage in the dark, clear skies over Chedabucto Bay in the spring. Mercury, Mars and the moons of Saturn all make a showing in the Authentic Seacoast’s expansive night sky.
8. A Chorus Line
Spring brings out the peepers. Ahem. That means frogs in Nova Scotia. With eight species of frogs, each with their own mating call, the nightly auditions add up to a spectacular springtime performance.

9. Old Salts
The fishing wharves in the small villages that dot the shores of Chedabucto Bay are the perfect place to strike up a conversation with an old salt and no time is better than the spring. Favourite wharves include Canso’s Fisherman’s wharf and the Guysborough wharf to meet the lobster boat before dinner (that’s what locals call lunch).

10. Take Me to the River   
On May 15th, fly fishers make their way to the mouth of the Authentic Seacoast’s Salmon River for the opening of the Atlantic salmon fishing season. The Salmon River is renowned for its estuarial salmon fishing with the locals knowing to show up the last two hours before low tide.
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This guest post was written by the Authentic Seacoast Resorts, a collection of historic vacation properties at the head of Chedabucto Bay. You can catch up with them sharing Nova Scotia travel, music, food, wine and recreation on Twitter or learn more about this off the beaten path destination on their website www.authenticseacoast.com

5 New Honeymoon Hot Spots

Forget about those bargain cruises to Mexico or the cheesy Vegas buffets, there's a new breed of honeymoon in town. Whether or not you splurged on a destination wedding, you can take advantage of numerous travel deals and score a stunning break to start off your marriage right. So, save up those vacation days and pack your suitcase, you're going on the romantic journey of a lifetime.

photo credit: Monte-Carlo tourism board

Monte Carlo, Monaco
Euro lovers flock to France and Italy during their honeymoon trips, but often get caught up in the hype of tourism guides, guidebooks, and friends with big ideas. For a quieter and more personal European stay, try Monte Carlo. This amazingly luxe principality boasts world class casinos, 5-star accommodations and ridiculously beautiful ocean views. With high-end shopping and a spa at nearly every turn, there's no where to run from the romantic energy of this little plot of land.

photo credit: Annemarie Dooling | travelinganna 

Orange County, California
Love the city, hate the smog. Honeymoons in LA? Talk about overrated. Sure, there's the sites, the excitement, the luxury options, but you can get all that and pristine beaches just a few miles away from the Hollywood Hills. Many of Orange County's little cities, particularly Newport Beach and Laguna, offer top rated hotels and resorts with sparkling ocean views, spa treatments, and a staff ready at your call. The kid in you will love the rides at Disneyland, and the foodie in you will adore the hilltop restaurants featuring some of California's best seafood. All of the class and none of the craziness of it's starry-eyed neighbor.

photo credit: Annemarie Dooling | travelinganna 

San Juan, Puerto Rico
Booking your stay in the Bahamas again, island lovers? Steer clear of the carefully curated, cold mega-hotels and get immersed in the natural, romantic beauty of Puerto Rico's capital, San Juan. Here you can enjoy the same lazy beach days, and throw in some energetic green markets filled to the brim with local veggies; a little zip line, complete with mojito bar at the finale; and all the nature you care to partake in. What could be a more soothing way to celebrate your nuptials?

photo credit: Annemarie Dooling | travelinganna 

Lake Placid, New York
Sport enthusiast honeymooners need not worry, nor pack a dessert suitcase to the Arizona wilderness. There's a nature walk of a different kind right in lake Placid, just hours from New York City.
With mountains like Whiteface looming around every corner, and Olympic sport arenas with bobsledding and skating in the center of town, you'll get your fill of action in this sleepy town. For quiet nights, 4-star resorts like the Mirror Lake Inn offer amazing dining and spa options and Adirondack charm surrounds a calming lake area. Best of all, the remote aspect of this getaway promotes little interruption: cell-phone addicts need not apply.

 photo credit: Sandy Salle | Hills of Africa

Johannesburg, South Africa
Looking for a little exotic adventure before returning to the states as a married couple? South Africa quite literally has something for everyone. Start with a stay in Johannesburg, where you'll find a multitude of 5-star resorts and hotels waiting for you to choose from. Follow this with a jaunt at Kruger National Park for the safari of a lifetime. After that, sip a little vino in the Cape Winelands and relax with some beach time in Cape Town. No matter what your poison, a mix of bustling, calm, stunning, and raw life awaits in this often unexplored world.
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Annemarie Dooling is a Digital Content Strategist who spends her vacation days traveling the globe and reporting back to Twitter. In her spare time she's planning her own destination wedding and documenting the whole thing on her blog, Frill Seeker Diary. 

Paris? Forget About It – These Are the Five Places You Really Need to Go in France.

Paris – the city of romance and love. It's so beautiful – if you only ever go to one place in France, it has to be Paris, right? See the Eiffel Tower, visit the Louvre and the Cathédrale Notre Dame, walk down the Champs Elysées and around the Arc de Triomphe...

It's true, Paris is a beautiful city and a great place to visit – don't let anyone tell you differently. However, it's not the most beautiful – or most friendly – place to visit in France.

 Photo: Versailles palace gardens

First on the list of must-visit places in France is the Palace at Versailles. I don't care where you've been, what you've done or what you've seen – until you visit Versailles, you haven't seen anything like it. From its sprawling gardens to its hall of mirrors, Versailles is an incredible campus of palaces, kitchens, gardens, stables and even vacation getaways – right on its own premises. The palace grounds are impressive beyond belief – making Versailles a worthy pit stop for any traveler in France.

  Photo:Versailles mirrors

The remaining four must-visit destinations in France are all south of Paris – where not all residents speak English, and instead of hating Americans, the people outside of Paris find Americans fascinating. Believe me, it's a welcomed change of attitude!

Grenoble is a small Alpine town with a great nightlife and lots to offer. The regional liquor is called Chartruese – served flaming in a double shot glass with a straw. Ever wanted to eat fire? Well this is your chance...
There are tourist attractions like Les Boules – giant plastic bubbles that hoist you up the side of a mountain – and great bars and restaurants in the town square. Le Palais de la Biere is a great place for lunch in the summer.

 Photo: Le Palais de la Biere

The city has great shopping and fantastic public transit. It's situated along a river and in the foothills of the Alps, making it great for hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter – it's a year-round getaway with a super fun and friendly atmosphere!

 Photo: Annecy

A short train ride from Grenoble is another small French town called Annecy. Some people have called it the most beautiful city in France – and it's not tough to see why. Canals weave through the city underneath bridges that are flower-covered throughout the summer. The canals are lined with beautiful buildings – some residences, others small cafés and restaurants. Annecy is a very pedestrian-friendly town that doesn't have a touristy feel.

Photo: Chateau d'If

If you've ever read or seen The Count of Monte Cristo, you've seen the Château d'If – an old fortress off the coast of southern France. Not only is the Château d'If a fantastic historical attraction in France, but Marseilles, the old port city nearest the fortress, is an amazing place to experience beaches and nightlife on the French Riviera.

Marseilles has a good subway system, making travel around the city simple for tourists. Though Marseilles is a more well-known tourist destination, it is definitely a worthy destination for any traveler – whether you're a seasoned European traveler or a newbie to the French Riviera.

The final must-visit destination in France isn't actually in France... It's Monaco.

 Photo: Monaco broadwalk

Monaco – the country and the city – is like a fairytale land. It's pristine appearance is unfathomable until you see it for yourself. From white sandy beaches to the extravagant architecture of the Monte Carlo Casino, the standard of living in Monaco is clear: there is a LOT of money here.  If you have the money to spend, by all means stay in Monaco – but if you don't, grab a cheap hotel in Nice, France.

It's just a 20 minute train ride along the Mediterranean, and you can take day trips to paradise. Who knows, maybe you'll get lucky at Monte Carlo and be able to afford that Monaco hotel room the next time around...
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The article above was written by Morgan Brickley, a twenty-something blogger residing in Chicago, IL.  Be sure to check out her blog 'Living on 25 Sense' or follow her on Twitter.  You can also read Morgan's recent guest post on Florida here. 

Five Things I Didn't Know about Chile

In January of this year, I bought a one-way ticket to Santiago, Chile with nothing more than a loose plan to see some friends and explore South America.  I knew very little about Chile but figured a quick skim of the guidebook on the 9-hour flight would suffice.  Despite my efforts, I was still surprised by some of the country's most interesting characteristics and quirks.  Here are my top 5:

1. Chile Has Earthquakes
As I stood in my 16th story guest room preparing for bed on February 27th, 2010, my floor suddenly started to give way, and remaining on my feet was no easier than standing in a canoe.  I hobbled to the door and braced myself in its frame.  For the next 90 seconds, to a soundtrack of shattered glass and cracking drywall, I focused only on the hanging lamp that swung violently, just short of slapping the ceiling.  A few minutes later, when the earthquake had ended and the building swayed no more, I  began to grasp the magnitude of the phenomenon I'd just survived.

Chile's long history with earthquakes, or “terremotos,” is all-too-well-known by its residents, but I was fascinated to learn that roughly every 25 years or so there is another “big one”.  In 1960, the world's strongest recorded earthquake (9.5 magnitude) occurred 435 miles South of Santiago, near Valdivia.  The country was rocked again in 1985 by an 8.0 quake near Valparaiso.  This past February, 25 years later, the world's 7th strongest terremoto left tourists shaken and residents concerned, and more than 400 aftershocks have silenced conversations, interrupted sleep, or induced flashbacks.  But with consistency comes awareness, and it's reassuring to see that Santiago was built to handle such disasters.  Impressively, the damage in the nation's capital was minimal, and life carried on as usual by the end of the weekend. 

2. Stray Dogs Are Everywhere
It's obvious within the first few minutes of entering Santiago.  Disturbing to some; comforting to others.  It's a constant reminder of both the cruelty and kindness found on the street.  In the greater Santiago area, there are more than 200,000 stray dogs or, in some cases, those who have owners but spend their time on the street.  A daunting number indeed, but what's equally surprising is the genial demeanor of the city's dogs.  Treated more like pets than pests, strays are often fed and even petted by locals.  It's not uncommon to see a stray with a sweater in the winter.  And for their compassion, the humans of Santiago are rarely barked at, bitten, or even bothered.  With the tight quarters of downtown apartments, it's no wonder that some dog-lovers prefer to take care of the strays in return for a walking companion or a smiling face on the stairs of their building.  While Government and animal rights organizations make continuous efforts to address the abundance of stray dogs, agreements are rarely reached, and it's safe to say that with merely a slice of ham and a rub of a belly, you can find a friend for the day as you tour Santiago.

3. Chileans LOVE Hot Dogs
Anticipating exotic new cuisines to shock my palate, I arrived in Chile in search of local staples that would surely be intriguing and delicious.  Instead, I found hot dogs.  Around every corner in downtown Santiago is another hole-in-the-wall ready to serve you hot dogs with a variety of toppings, including, but not limited to:  avocado, tomato, salsa, sauerkraut, green beans, red peppers, cheese, and most abundantly: mayonnaise.  And they pile it on.  Eating a hot dog in Chile is a skill mastered only with years of practice and inherently steady hands. I've seen tourists end up with more on them than in them.  I've seen locals do it one-handed.  Though they certainly won't earn you a stamp on your “foreign cuisine passport,” a Chilean hot dog is a must-have and should be enjoyed very carefully.

4. Chileans Are Friendly
Browse travel forums, watch television specials, or phone up your mother's friend's neighbor's daughter who studied abroad in college, and you'll undoubtedly find a mixed bag of personal encounters and impressions when it comes to Chilean hospitality.  This is nothing short of expected in a country with a modern city of 6 million people.  You'd find the same in New York, London, or Rome.  But venture outside of Santiago and you'll find some of the most helpful, tourist-friendly folks you could ask for.  I've had winery tour-guides make hostel reservations (in Spanish), hostel owners draw detailed maps to my next destination, and concerned locals remind me to keep the camera strap around my neck...just in case!  By simply maintaining a friendly and open-minded demeanor, there's no doubt you'll find Chileans are dedicated to making your experience in their country a positive one.

5. Things Are Cheap
Again, any big city has a variety of people, places, and, of course, prices.  But with a little effort, you can survive in Chile for a fraction of that of the U.S.  It's no shock that cooking at home will save you money, but the savings increase exponentially if you're willing to step out of your comfort zone.  Keep your belongings close and head to La Vega – a wonderland of fruits and veggies that will leave your head spinning and stomach growling.  Made up of roughly 4 city blocks, La Vega is THE place for bargain shopping:  a pound of apples for $1, bottles of wine for $2, heads of lettuce for $0.50, and even 27 avocados for $3! It's not hard to stock the fridge for less than the price of a restaurant lunch.  And the fridge won't cost you much either...to rent, that is.  After the earthquake, I moved into a fully furnished 2-bedroom 2-bathroom 10th floor apartment with a 200-square-foot private terrace that rents for less than $500/month.  And it's located in the heart of downtown Santiago's art district, near Metro Bellas Artes.  It'd be hard to find something this good for $2,000/month in my hometown of Chicago.  And the list of price breaks can be found everywhere: subway rides for less than $1, movie tickets for less than $4, and happy hour specials that would make college kids jealous.  For shoestring survival in Santiago, it's all about knowing where to look. 
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The guest post above was written by Ryan Moore. He is a freelance writer and photographer currently living in Santiago, Chile.  He prefers not to write in the third-person, but does so occasionally.  To keep his Mom entertained, Ryan updates a blog that chronicles his travels: www.ryanontheroad.wordpress.com 

Top 10 Luxury Hotels in Paris, France.

Paris is a city of indulgence for all the senses. Whether you’re a backpacker or royalty, you’ll find pleasure wandering across the classy city. The smell of fresh croissant and coffee floating out of a boulangerie; the buzz of chic Parisians rushing across the city; the stomach butterflies you’ll still get seeing the Louvre or climbing the Eiffel Tower for the hundredth time. Rich French flavours delighting the palate and quirky French design and modern comforts wherever you go to bed. For those seeking pure perfection, here is our pick of the top 10 luxury hotels in Paris.

One By The Five
This heavenly one-suite hotel whisks couples away to another world. The stunning suite’s starry décor and boudoir style bathroom make for pure indulgence and a guaranteed saucy stay.

Hotel Le A
This sleek luxurious abode sits in an enviable location near the Champs Elysees. The 19th century façade hides a modern black, white and silver interior with arty ambience, embodying the bold style of contemporary Paris.

Hotel Le Bellechasse
Culture vultures wont be disappointed crawling into a decadent bed in this Christian Lacroix designed hotel in Faubourg St. Germain. The stunning embellished wallpapers and imposing wall art make for an intense, opulent experience.

Hotel Ares Eiffel
Versace-tiled bathrooms and Bang & Olufsun gadgets put the finishing touches to this fabulous Italian designed hotel. The charming fusion of baroque style furniture and personal service is topped off with views of the Eiffel Tower.

Hotel Daniel
The intricately patterned wallpapers and classically styled furniture bring history into the 21st century in this Relais & Chateaux property. Not far from the Arc de Triomphe, each of the 26 rooms enchants guests with a unique design, peppered with fashionable ornaments.

Hotel Edouard VII Opéra
The upmarket surroundings of this top class hotel are transposed onto the interior. Guest can stroll from the Palais Royale, and Louvre back to the antique furniture in this immaculately preserved building.

Hotel de Sers
Modern design meets 19th century art making for a poised and character-rich hotel.

Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel
The art deco façade, generously sized rooms and lush inner courtyard tempt guests into a world of stylish old world delights. Sample the southern French cuisine of the Jardin des Cynes restaurant before admiring the elegant wallpapers and wrapping up in the extravagant fabrics of the large bedrooms.

Hotel Lancaster
This 1889-built hotel retains it’s traditional flair in the bedrooms whilst oozing calming zen. The Michelin starred restaurant La Table du Lancaster, is famous for its heavenly caramel soufflés and hazelnut tortes, whipped up under the watchful eye of award-winning chef Michel Troisgros.

Hotel Les Etangs de Corot
This quiet rural hotel perhaps proves luxurious escapes and leisurely lounging are best found outside the city rush. With two fabulous gourmet restaurants and a café for afternoon nibbles, the calming water and forest air invite to pure relaxation.

These are the cream of the crop, but whatever your budget, if you're planning a trip to the French capital make sure you find a fantastic Paris hotel to suit your own good tastes.
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The above guest post was written by Holly MacGuire (escapio.com). From stunning castles, to rustic vineyards, to chic modern hotels, check out Escapio's collection of over 4,000 hand selected boutique and luxury hotels, or follow on Twitter.