Category: travel guide

10 Days in England: Itinerary Ideas

Post author By sean
Post date August 15, 2012

When we think about planning an itinerary in England, the obvious choice for a hub is London. Yes, the city is expensive, but offers plenty of day trips and you can easily find cheap airfare into one of its airports. Plus, with a bit of research, you’ll be able to find affordable hostels or hotels, too.

The best time to visit London if you want to save money is the low season (November, February, March), but then you’ll be skipping Brighton as a day trip if you planned to catch a tan, too. This itinerary focuses on London for 3 days and also includes 5 day trips (Stonehenge, Oxford, Stratford upon Avon, Brighton and Bath), ending in Liverpool. Of course, you can create your own itinerary based on this. For example, if you are not into Shakespeare, skip Stratford upon Avon and add Manchester to the itinerary.

Itinerary assumptions:

You will be flying into London and out of Liverpool (although you can travel back to London for your return flight).
You will be staying most of the time in London, in a hostel or hotel close to the tube
On your 3 days within the capital, purchase travel day cards to use on the tube and maximize your time in the city.

Day 1 , 2, 3 London

London is a huge city offering a lot of things to do and see. It’s best to travel by tube if you want to cover large distances. On your first day, get to know the area where you stay in and the closest sights. Walk a bit and find a pub or two to try the English food .

Start your second day with watching the changing of the guards in front of Buckingham Palace. Outside of summer, it takes place every other day, so do a bit of research ahead of time. Then, you can visit British Museum. Depending on what interests you there, you can easily spend between 2 h and 8 h checking out the artifacts. Stop by St.Paul’s Cathedral before going back to the hotel.

On the third day, start with the Tower of London , Big Ben and then cross the Tower Bridge. If you have a bit of money for splurges , catch a ride on London Eye. Otherwise, visit Westminster Abby and then walk toward Trafalgar Square. If you still have some time left, visit the National Gallery.

>>read more about 3 days in London

Day 4 Stonehenge

You can plan a day trip to Stonehenge on your own, but it’s going to be a bit challenging, unless you plan to rent a car and drive. Catch a bus to Amesbury (leaving at 2:10 p.m. and the fare is £16.50 one way). The travel time is slightly more than 2 ½ h so you’ll have about 2 h to visit the sight.

Day 5 Oxford

Oxford is the oldest university city in the UK, easily accessible from London. If you like Medieval and Gothic architecture, this is a must-see on your itinerary. Trains leave from London Paddington and the fares start at £4 one way. The bus is cheaper (from £1 if booked in advance) and take about 1 ½ h.

>>read more about Getting from London to Oxford

Day 6 Stratford upon Avon

For those fascinated by Shakespeare’s work, a trip to Stratford upon Avon is definitely a good idea. The market town located on River Avon is where you’ll find the birthplace of Shakespeare. Henley Street, one of the town’s oldest streets, Sheep Street , the residential quartier in the 16th century , and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre are among the places you shouldn’t miss while visiting the city.

Trains depart from London Marylebone Station and take 2 h 15 min. A return fare (advance) starts at £10. Trains depart every two hours.

Day 7 Brighton

On this day you can escape to the sea-side. Brighton is located about 1 h by train from London. You can catch a train from either London Victoria or London Bridge stations and the single fare starts at £6.75. The resort is very popular among Londoners during the weekends so, if possible, try to go on a weekday (unless you like crowds). Aside from spending time on the beach, you can also visit the Royal Pavilion , a former royal palace and the Clock tower.

>>read more about Getting from London to Brighton

Day 8 Bath

Bath is a historic Roman and Georgian spa city , located about 100 miles from London. Aside from the Roman and Georgian architecture, you can also see lovely Medieval buildings. Bath is the oldest tourist destination in England.

The Roman baths are a must-see while here, but don’t forget about the Abbey , Pulteney Bridge, museums and parks.

Trains depart from London Paddington Station every half hour and take about 1 ½ h. The single fare starts at £22.50 (but depends on how far in advance you purchase the ticket). It’s cheaper (from £5 one way) to travel by bus but it takes almost 3 ½ h.

Day 9, 10 Liverpool

Instead of going back to London, catch a train to Liverpool via Bristol. The single fare to Bristol Temple Meads is £6.60 and trains leave Bath every 10 min to ½ h. The travel time is about 15 min.

>>read more about Getting from Bath to Bristol

From Bristol catch a train to Liverpool Lime Street. The single fare starts at £38.00 and the travel time is about 3 h. You’ll have to change trains in Stafford [STA].

Alternately , catch a bus from Bath to Liverpool (with two stops in Bristol and Birmingham). The single fare starts at £36.50 and the fastest travel time is about 6 ½ h.

Liverpool dock has been added to the UNESCO world heritage sites since 2004 and the most famous dock is Albert Dock, home to some interesting museums. You can also visit some cathedrals and if you are a Beatles fan, don’t miss The Beatles Story, the only museum in the world dedicated to The Beatles.

Photo credits: London by Cristina Puscas and may not be used without permission, Stonehenge by yvestown , Oxford by UGArdener , Stratford upon Avon by BigTallGuy , Brighton by zilverbat , Bath by wallyg , Liverpool by Adrian S Jones

Tags Planning a Trip, travel guide

travel guide Turkey

3 Days in Istanbul: Itinerary Ideas

Post author By sean
Post date August 14, 2012

There are plenty of things to do in Istanbul and having only three days to visit the city means you’ll either be cramming in a lot in a limited time or take things slower and visit some of the important sights. This itinerary starts off with cramming a lot of sights during the first day, but offering a more relaxed approach for the other two days.

Itinerary assumption:

You will be flying in and out of Istanbul
While in the city you’ll be using the public transportation
You will be staying in a hostel or hotel close to the main sights, such as a hotel in Sultanahmet

Day 1

Get to know the city and buy a map. Then make your way to the Spice market (take the tram to Eminonu). You can spend quite a lot of time picking up spice.

Sultanahmet Square is easy to get to either by tram or on foot . Hagia Sofia is in the area, too. You can visit the museum daily except on Mondays.

There are plenty of places to eat in the area . Try to look for one without a menu in English (or one filled with locals). Try some of the lovely Turkish food .

You can now visit the Blue Mosque, which is open daily except during praying times. Pay attention to the dress code. Make your way to the old peninsula and then head to the Covered bazaar. By the way: yes, you will be “kindly” (more like hassled) asked to buy. While a nice experience, skip this part if you don’t feel comfortable dealing with aggressive vendors. Instead , check out the Egyptian obelisk in the Hippodrome Square and spend some time in the area.

Day 2

You can start the day with visiting Galata Tower. The views from above are superb and the possibility to take fantastic photos are endless.

Then add a boat trip on the Bosphorus to the plan. There are many choices but it’s best to opt for the ferry. The ferries leave from Eminonu. There are three departures per day during summer and the round trip is about 5-6 h. The ferry stops in all ports along the Bosphorus, so you can stop and check out various places, but first look up the ferry times so you know when you can catch the next one.

Day 3

Take the tram to Sultanahmet station and walk to the Topkapi palace. It is open daily except on Tuesdays. You can easily spend an entire day visiting the palace and the Harem.

If you still have time, visit the Archeological Museum, open daily expect on Mondays. It houses very interesting items, including statues from ancient Roman Era , statue of the head of Alexander the Great, and fragments from the temple of Athens at Assos.

Photo credits: Hagia Sofia , View from Ferry , Harem at Topkapi palace

Tags travel guide

Planning a Trip Portugal Things to Do travel guide

3 Days in Lisbon: Itinerary Ideas

Post author By sean
Post date August 14, 2012

Lisbon doesn’t lack things to do and 3 days are just enough to get a taste of the city , visiting some of the most important and interesting sights. The following itinerary offers some ideas to plan three days in the city.

Itinerary assumptions:

You will be flying in and out of Lisbon
You will be using the public transportation or walk to get around the city
You will be staying in a hotel or hostel close to the main sites (along the route of Tram 28)

>>read about Getting around in Lisbon

Day 1

Start your day with a free walking tour of Lisbon . It departs at 11 a.m. from Luís de Camões Square (easily reachable by metro or bus). The tour takes about 2 ½ h.

Now go to the Avenida da Liberdade, where Baixa district starts. It’s located in central down town and features imposing squares. Then you should also check the district of Alfama, which features narrow streets climbing steeply the hills of Lisbon. Don’t miss the Saint Luiza View point while you are here. Also in the these two areas are: the Castelo Sao Jorge, the Se Cathedral and Praca de Dom Petro IV .

You can consider taking a ferry ride across the river Tejo (Tagus) to end the first day in Lisbon . Or riding tram 28 around the historic center of the town.

Day 2

Make your way to Bairro Alto , located to the west of Baixa. As you probably figured out, the name pretty much explains the elevation, so you’ll also be rewarded with superb views of River Tejo. This district is the birth place of Fado music.

You can now explore Belem ; take a tram from Baixa to Belem along the river. The district is picturesque , with great architecture. Don’t miss visiting Torre de Belem, a heritage fort once used to guard the city from invaders. Chiado district is a good idea to check out if you have shopping on your mind.

In the evening make your way north Baixa and relax in one of the outdoor restaurant. Of course, don’t forget to sample the Portuguese food .

>>also read about What to eat and drink in Lisbon

Day 3 Sintra

Sintra is a stunning place, located close to Lisbon, and well-known for the Moorish castle. But it’s also home to Pena Palace and its historical center is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. So, you can spend at least ½ day here and not get bored.

Hop on a train to Sintra. It takes about 42 min and you’ll pay €2.05 one way (unless you have Lisbon card and in the case the ride is free).

>>read more about Getting from Lisbon to Sintra

Photo credits: Luís de Camões Square , Bairro Alto , Sintra

Tags Planning a Trip, things to do, travel guide

Croatia travel guide

10 Days in Croatia: Itinerary Ideas

Post author By sean
Post date August 14, 2012

Visiting Croatia in only 10 days can be a bit of a challenge. The country has a lot of interesting places to visit and cramming a lot in such an itinerary means you’ll leave out certain places. In this case, Plitvice Lakes (although you can spend only a day in Split and drive to the Lakes on the second day), Pula and Hvar (but again, you can plan a day trip from Split as the ferry only takes 2 h). Plus, you can “customize” this itinerary idea to suit your own needs; for example, spend only 1 day in Zagreb and 3 days in Split, allowing you add a day trip to your itinerary.

This itinerary is meant to hit some of the most popular places in Croatia: Rijeka, Krk Island, Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik. If you want to spend some time on the beaches, plan to visit the country during the summer. For a more budget friendly option, October is a good choice and the weather is still good and warm.

Itinerary assumptions:

The itinerary starts in Zagreb and ends in Dubrovnik. From Dubrovnik, you can take a ferry to Bari, Italy and explore more of Southern Europe’s beauty.
You will be using the public transportation to get between the cities. If you’d love to take a scenic drive, then do that on the Split to Dubrovnik part of the itinerary.
You will be staying in hostel or hotels with easy access to the main sights in the cities.

Day 1, 2 : Zagreb

Most often the capital of Croatia, Zagreb, is just a stop on the way to other popular destinations. Indeed, you can get here by plane or train easily from most of Europe, but you shouldn’t overlook the city, either.

The Upper Town is the medieval part of the city. The Old Town Gate is now a shrine to Virgin Mary. And you can take a day trip to Medvedgrad, which is a fortress located on Medvednica, a mountain overlooking the capital. The hiking and biking routes are excellent.

Day 3 Rijeka

Rijeka is Croatia’s main seaport and the country’s third largest city. While it’s served by an airport, it’s a better idea to travel to the city by train or bus. Most of the city is easy accessible on foot and to see its main sights, just follow the tourist path.

Don’t miss the Trsat Castle, overlooking the city, and City Tower, a symbol of Rijeka.

Day 4, 5 Krk Island

Especially if you plan to visit Croatia’s second largest island during summer, you’ll be facing large crowds of tourists. Krk Town is the capital and the busiest city , with a lot of places to see.

Many travelers come here for the beaches and swimming, so head to Baska and you’ll find a modern resort town. Needless to say, it’s packed in the summer.

>>read about the Top 7 Best Beaches in Croatia

Day 6 Zadar

Located in northern Dalmatia, the city is home to a lovely Old Town. Zadar is easily tackled on foot, so don’t forget your good walking shoes at home. Did you know that there are 34 churches on the peninsula where the Old Town is located?

Take your time to enjoy the excellent Croatian cuisine . And do some people watching as you are at it.

Day 7,8 Split

The city is located in Central Dalmatia and still offers plenty of well preserved Roman ruins to visit. Split was originally built around the Diocletian Palace, where the locals sought refuge centuries ago.

You can easily get to Split by bus from Zadar. Make sure to visit the Diocletian Palace , with the historical center built around it. St. Duje’s cathedral is the oldest cathedral in the old and was built as a mausoleum of Roman Emperor Diocletian. Rent a bike and enjoy Riva, the main city promenade.

If you visit Split during summer , you can head to Bačvice beach.

>>read about Getting from Zadar to Split

Day 9, 10 Dubrovnik

It is an old city on the Adriatic Sea Coast and probably the most well know travel destination in Croatia. Nicknamed the Pearl of the Adriatic, during the Middle Ages it has a trade industry so powerful that it rivaled Venice.

Make sure to get to Dubrovnik from Split by car, as the scenery along the coast is amazing, making it one of the most beautiful scenic drives in Europe. If you don’t fancy renting a car, then take the bus.

Visiting the Old Town of Dubrovnik is a must. Make sure to buy a map before attempting to do any walking. The maze of narrow streets can take some time to figure out. The Bell Tower, Sponza Palace, Pile Gate and the Old Port are only some of the places worth your time. And it’s impossible not to spend some time on the Stradum .

Don’t forget to visit the city walls, too, but make sure to plan this walk for early morning as the Mediterranean Sun can be really hot by mid-day. There are some interesting forts to check out within the city walls.

And while here, why not spend a bit of time on Lapad Beach, which is a sandy beach area with lovely views of the Old Town.

Read about :
>>Getting from Split to Dubrovnik
>>Things to do in Dubrovnik

Here is the itinerary map (if you rent a car for your stay and drive from city to city):

View Larger Map

Photo credits: Zagreb , Rijeka , Krk Island , Zadar , Split , Dubrovnik

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Panama travel guide

What to Eat in Panama: Famous Panamanian Foods

Post author By sean
Post date August 10, 2012

Panamanian food varies from simple to exotic due to the many influences it had over the years. You’ll most likely know some of the dishes thanks to being similar to the cuisine eaten in other Central American countries. Vegetarians will have some problems finding options but if you like fish, you’ll be in heaven.

Traditional breakfast

Tortilla, chorizo and empanadas, along with other goodies, are part of the traditional Panamanian breakfast.

Empanadas

These are corn or flour pastries filled with meat, cheese or potatoes. Vegetarian options are also available.

Tamales

These are pockets of dough filled meat, wrapped in banana leaves and then boiled.

Gallo Pinto

This is a dish of rice and beans, usually served with pork meat.

Ceviche

It’s raw fish, conch and shrimp, chopped and mixed with tomatoes, cilantro, onions , then marinated in lime juice. The dish is served with tortilla chips.

Plantains

They come in three forms in Panama. Patacones are salty fried green plantains; maduros are mature fried plantains; tajadas are baked plantains sprinkled with cinnamon.

Tortillas

These are thick, fried corn cakes, usually served for breakfast.

Sancocho

It’s basically a soup made from meat – usually chicken- , vegetables and yucca (instead of noodles).

Carimanola

This is a fried yuca roll , stuffed with boiled eggs and meat.

Yuca frita

It’s fried yuca root, pretty much the tropical French fries.

Chicharrones

This is fried pork fat.

Arroz con pollo

It’s a common, simple dish made from chicken and rice.

Ropa Vieja

This is a stew and includes boiled meat (beef), onions , peppers and garlic; but the preparation and ingredients differ from place to place.

Pasel de Tres Leches

It’s a desert. The cake is soaked in three kinds of milk.

Photo credits:Breakfast , Empanadas , Tamales , Gallo Pinto , Ceviche , Patacones , Sancocho , Carimanola , Yuca frita , Chicharrones , Arroz con pollo , Ropa Vieja

Tags travel guide

England travel guide

What to Eat in England: Famous British Foods

Post author By sean
Post date August 9, 2012

British cuisine has never been regarded as a tasty or healthy cuisine. Looks like the early British people had more fun doing anything else than learning to cook. But things are improving and modern British cuisine is not that terrible. Actually, you might even like it.

Fish and chips

It’s the quintessential food of England, and you can find chippies all over the place. You can also get this dish in pretty much any pub. The cod is fried in better and in served with French fries (chips). Peas are also served (either normal or mashed) and you are often asked if you care for onion rings as well. The dish goes well with beer.

Full English Breakfast

It’s terribly unhealthy but an icon of the British food. What you get on the plate includes: baked beans, black pudding, bread, eggs, bacon, sausages and mushrooms.

Black pudding is made with pig blood , pig fat, flour, onion , hulled and crushed cereal grain and seasoning.

Jellied eels

It’s a dish which requires a bit of getting used to the texture. The chunks of eels are in a clear jelly and are served with mashed potatoes and , sometimes , gravy.

Bangers and Mash

Bangers are sausages and mash is mashed potatoes. And you also might be asked if you want a side of onion rings, too.

Pies

Shepherd’s Pie is one of the most popular in this category and is made with minced lamb and vegetables, topped with mashed potatoes and baked until golden.

Cottage Pie is made the same way, but the meat used is beef.

Steak and kidney pie contains a mixture of beef, kidney and fried onion, served with brown gravy.

Pork pie is made with pork meat and lard. Variations do exist and they contain either turkey or chicken meat.

Most pies are served with mash.

Lancashire hotpot

It’s a stew made from meat and vegetables. It’s slowly cooked in the oven all day and draped with sliced potatoes.

The Sunday Roast

It’s a traditional meal served, you guessed it, on Sundays. It contains roast beef, served with steamed vegetables (carrots , cauliflower, etc) and roasted potatoes. Yorkshire pudding – made from a simple batter of flour , milk and eggs – is served with the meat and vegetables.

Ploughman’s Lunch

It’s not exactly lunch; it’s a piece of pungent cheese, served with crusty bread , a pickle and pickled onion.

Beer

My first encounter with a London pub also lead me to having no idea what beer to order. There are so many varieties that an advice from a local is a good idea. Any type of beer goes with pub food though. Oh and English beer is known as “lager”.

Mince pies

These are made for Christmas and now contain a filling of dried fruits, spices, fat and brandy (in the past, they contained minced meat).

Trifle

It’s a classic desert made from custard, sponge cake , fruit , fruit juice and whipped cream. The ingredients are arranged in layers.

>>also read about What to Eat in London: Famous British Foods

Photo credits : Trifle , Mince pies , Beer , Ploughman’s Lunch , The Sunday Roast , Lancashire hotpot , Shepherd’s Pie , Bangers and Mash , Jellied eels , Full English Breakfast , Fish and chips

Tags travel guide

Croatia travel guide

Top 7 beaches in Croatia

Post author By sean
Post date August 7, 2012

With 2000 miles of coastline and a lot of islands, Croatia doesn’t lack places to get a tan or make a splash. Some of the beaches are world-famous and many travelers head here every summer.

Searching for the best beaches in Croatia certainly starts with the traveler’s definition of “best beach”. Some travelers look for sandy beaches, with shallow waters, while others don’t mind pebbly beaches but want a superb landscape, too. Here is a list of the most popular and beautiful beaches in Croatia.

Paradise Beach, Rab Island

It is considered one of the best beaches in the world to skinny dip and is located on the island of Rab. It is also a beach popular among families (of course, for the part on which a swim suit is required). The 2 km long beach is one of the most famous in the Adriatic.

The closest airport serves the city of Rijeka and from there you can catch a catamaran to the island (runs year round). But don’t underestimate the city , either, as it has a superb castle and is home to the biggest carnival in the country.

Bijeca in Medulin

Bijeca is a sandy beach located in Medulin, about 8 km from Pula. It is recommended for families with children, singles and older people. The beach spreads for 1 km along the coast. The archipelago of Medulin has some uninhabited islands which become quite crowded during summer.

The closest airport serves Pula and handles flights from a variety of European destinations.

Big Beach / Vela Plaža, Baska Beaches, Krk Island

Baska is known for the Vela Plaža, a natural pebbled beach stretching for almost 2km. It is a romantic spot on Croatia’s largest island. The beaches in this area are clothing optional.

Rijeka airport is closest to the island of Krk. Baska is connected to the mainland by a bridge, so you can rent car at the airport and travel here. Or you can catch a local bus.

Plat beaches, Dubrovnik

Located between Cavtat and Mlini, Plat is a tiny oasis of tranquility and remains one of the hidden areas in Croatia. The beaches are made both of sand and pebbles. The water is shallow so anyone can enjoy the beaches without having to know how to swim.

Dubrovnik airport is the choice when traveling to Plat. From there rent a car and drive the remaining 14 km.

Sunj beach, Dubrovnik

The wide, sandy beach is located on Lopund island. It’s incredibly busy during summer but once the high season ends, you can pretty much have the beach for yourself.

Sunj beach can only be reached by boat or foot from Dubrovnik.

Lokrum island beach, Dubrovnik

The island is a natural resort, protected by law. It’s a popular day trip excursion from Dubrovnik and offers a lot of sand, sea and sun. And when you’ve caught enough tan or plan a break, Fort Royal offers amazing views of Dubvronik. All the beaches here are rocky.

You can catch a taxi boat from Dubrovnik Old City Port (10 min travel time) .

Milna & Dubovica beaches, Hvar Island

Hvar is one of the most popular and beautiful Croatian islands and has been popular among travelers since the Roman times. Milna and Dubrovica are the most popular and most crowded beaches. All beaches are pebbly.

Two beaches are located in Milna village itself and two really close to the village. The largest beach is Dubovica and is made of white pebbles.

The beaches can be reached by road from Hvar town or by taxi boat from the port.

>>read about Getting from Dubrovnik to Hvar

Photo credits:Milna beach , Lokrum island , Sunj beach , Medulin , Paradise Beach , Krk island

Tags beaches, travel guide

travel guide Turkey

Best Greek & Roman Ruins in Turkey

Post author By sean
Post date August 2, 2012

The region of Antalya , also known as the Turkish Riviera, has some of the best preserved Greek and Roman ruins in the world. Unfortunately, they tend to be overlooked by most visitors, but those who take the time to plan a visit are impressed with the well preserved ruins. Also, some of the sites are quite off the beaten path so you can explore them without bumping into fellow travelers at every step. Turkey is also the place where you’ll find the famous sites of Ephesus, Pergamon and Troy.

Aspendos

It was an ancient Greco-Roman city located in Asia Minor, 7 km from today’s Serik. It is known for having the best preserved amphitheater from antiquity with a diameter of 96 m, which provided seating for 7,000 people. It was built by a Greek architect during the rule of Marcus Aurelius.

The theatre is still in use today, holding the annual Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival.

>>read more about 10 Best Roman Ruins Outside of Rome

Didyma

It is an ancient Greek site, containing the remains of the Sanctuary of Apollo and is located near modern day city of Didim (and the resorts of Bodrum and Kusadasi). It was one of the most important oracles in the ancient Hellenic world , second only to Delphi. The original temple was destroyed by the Persians but Alexander the Great rebuilt it in around 334BC.

Today, a range of ruins can be visited, including columns and remains of ancient tunnels.

Ephesus

It was a vibrant Greek ancient city, located near today’s Selcuk (and the resort of Kusadasi). It contains some of the best preserved Greek and Roman ruins in the Mediterranean.

Built in the 10th century BC, the city grew until 650 BC when it was attacked by the Cimmerians. The settlement was rebuilt and thrived again but later was conquered by the Persians.

Today, the well preserved site offers an amazing opportunity to walk among ancient Roman and Greek houses, buildings and stadiums. The famous Temple of Artemis is only represented by a column. The Library of Celsus is one of the most impressive buildings on site.

Hierapolis

It is an Ancient Roman city and spa, located near today’s Pamukkale . The site is famous for the hot springs , which were thought to have miraculous healing properties. Most of the ruins on site date from the Roman period ,but the Hellenistic layout can also be clearly seen. And it’s still possible to take a dip in the hot springs.

Miletus

It is an Ancient Greek city, located near today’s Balat. It still has an impressive theatre but the other ruins are few.

Pergamon

It was a famous ancient Greek city located in today’s Mysia region of Turkey, close to the city of Bergama. It was cited in the book of Revelations as one of the seven churches of Asia. The upper Acropolis included the Great Altar of Pergamon (which can be seen in a museum in Berlin), The Hellenistic Theater, the Sanctuary of Athena , The Royal Palaces , the Temple of Trajan, the Upper Agora, the Roman baths and other structures. The Lower Acropolis included, among other buildings, the Temple of Demeter , the Sanctuary of Hera and the Lower Agora.

Perge

It is a site containing mostly Roman ruins and is located near today’s Aksu (and Antalya resort). It has a history dating back to the Ancient Greek times as it was founded circa 1000 BC. The large theatre, the Roman agora , the bath and the necropolis can still be visited today.

Priene

It is an Ancient Greek city located near today’s Gullubahce (and the resorts of Kusadasi and Bodrum). It is one of the most important sites in the area , close to both Miletus and Ephesus. But it is located quite off the beaten path, providing a much relaxing experience (without the huge tourist crowds).

The Temple of Athena, the ancient theatre and the wall are still well preserved. You can also see the Roman baths and gymnasium, as well as the ruins of an Ancient Synagogue.

Sagalassos

The site contains mostly Hellenistic and Ancient Roman buildings and is located near today’s Aglasun. The Fountain of Antoninler is one of the best preserved ruins on site , but the theatre is not doing that bad either. You can also see the remains of the library, tombs , baths and temples.

Troy

Famous in antiquity, Troy stands in Turkey near today’s city Canakkale. It is one of the most famous and historically significant sites in the world, known to be the location of the Trojan War. The most popular fictional story is written by Homer in The Iliad and goes like this: the Greeks besieged Troy after Helen, the wife of Sparta’s king, was taken by Paris of Troy. However, historians believe that the reason of the Trojan War was a commercial rivalry between people of Troy and Mycenaeans.

The vast ruins can still be visited today. Each part of the site is numbered and is correlated to a specific period of time. And yes, the famous walls can still be seen. The site has a mix of Greek and Roman buildings, many built by Alexander the Great and Augustus.

Photo credits: Aspendos , Didyma , Ephesus , Hierapolis , Miletus , Pergamon , Perge , Priene , Sagalassos , Troy

Tags travel guide

travel guide Vietnam

What to Eat in Vietnam: Famous Vietnamese Foods

Post author By sean
Post date July 31, 2012

When you think of Vietnamese cuisine you wouldn’t consider it one of the healthiest in the world, would you? But you’d be wrong; with a lot of fresh veggies, herbs, rice and noodles as staples , the Vietnamese cuisine surely fits into the healthy choices.

The Vietnamese cuisine has both Chinese and European influences. Stir-frying in a wok and using chopsticks is common all over the country. Soy sauce is mostly used in the north, while fish sauce is mostly used in the south.

The best food is always found on the street. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things.

Banh Mi

It’s a French roll (baguette) stuffed with a variety of things, including ham, liver pate, cheese, sardines and pickled carrots.

Bo Kho

This is a beef and vegetable stew, served with a large baguette.

Goi Cuon

The famous summer rolls which are made with shrimp or pork, rolled in rice pepper with herbs and served with peanut sauce.

Pho

This is the famous noodle soup. The meat of choice is beef or chicken. Noodles are also added to the soup (either chicken or beef broth) and so are herbs such as mint , basil and lime. Bean sprouts may be added , too. The best places to eat it are in the northern parts of the country.

Banh da cua (Crab Noodle Soup)

This is an excellent alternative to pho. The broth is made with crab meat, tomatoes and vegetables. The topping is pork, though (ham or pork meat wrapped in betel leaves).

Bun cha ca (Fish Noodle Soup)

The broth is made with fish, tomatoes , vegetables and herbs. Noodles are also included in the soup and the toppings can be fish cake, fish meat and pork.

Com suon (Vietnamese grilled pork with broken rice)

This is a popular dish and contains marinated grilled pork served with rice and fried egg.

Bun Bo Nam Bo

It’s another popular dish, made with vermicelli noodles, topped with sliced beef and a lot of fresh vegetables. On top of those there’s fried onion and some broth.

Mi Quang

The dish is made with rice noodles , served with boiled egg , shrimp, meat , some broth and basil.

Oc luoc (Boiled snails)

Hello, bizarre food! If you are hungry in the middle of the night, this is the dish of choice. They are boiled with various strong seasoning, so don’t worry about the taste.

Muc nuong (Grilled dry squid)

The squid was dried before grilling. It is served with chili sauce and you must accompany it with beer.

Banh xeo (Vietnamese crepes)

The crepes are filled with shrimp, pork, onions, mushrooms and beans sprout. The best places to eat it are in the southern part of the country.

Nom hoa chuoi

It’s some sort of a salad and is made with banana flowers, which are sliced and served with green papaya, carrots, chicken and sprinkled with fish sauce.

Goi Du Du (Green mango and papaya salad)

It’s both an appetizer and side dish. Green papaya and carrots are found in the salad, sprinkled with the perfect sauce balancing the ingredients.

Bun dau mam tom

This is a tofu and noodle dish, served with mam tom sauce.

Che

It’s served for desert and is a pudding made with sticky rice ,bean jelly, fruit, coconut milk and ice.

Photo credits: Banh Mi , Bo Kho , Goi Cuon , Pho , Banh da cua , Bun Bo Nam Bo , Mi Quang , Snails , Banh xeo , Che

Tags food, travel guide

Portugal travel guide

What to Eat in Portugal: Famous Portuguese Foods

Post author By sean
Post date July 26, 2012

Sharing the Iberian Peninsula, the Spanish and Portuguese cuisines have many similarities, but they also bare great differences. Both have been influenced by the Greek cuisine, though, but the Celtic, Moorish and Beriberi ways of cooking can also be found in the Portuguese dishes. The Portuguese dishes are closely related to the Mediterranean cuisine.

A rule of thumb is to stay away from the touristy places and choose a restaurant which is popular among locals. That’s where you’ll find the best foods. Cooking is simple and the ingredients used are fresh and local.

Açorda

It is the classic Portuguese dish, featuring a simple broth which is thickened with bread and egg. Garlic is used for seasoning and, in costal areas, seafood may be added to it.

Bacalhau

It is salted, dried cod. To be used, it’s soaked in milk or water then cooked in many ways (about 365 ways to be exact). Sardines, octopus and anchovies are also popular and used in cooking.

Chouriço

It’s a pork sausage with distinct garlic and paprika seasoning in it. It’s eaten alone, or cooked with vegetables, beans or eggs.

Cozido

It’s a slowly simmering meat (or sea food) dish, cooked with vegetables in a special pot.

Sopa seca

You can find it in northern Portugal and features leftover bread, meats, vegetables, added in layers and moistened with broth.

Caldeirada

It is a stew made with a variety of fish, shellfish, tomato, potatoes and onion.

Caldo verde

This is a green soup made with green cabbage, mashed potatoes and served with sausage.

Tripas à moda do Porto

It is tripe with white beans and , if you are not familiar with tripe, you can pretty much put in the bizarre foods category. The recipe dates from the 14th century.