Porto, Portugal

 

Porto

Porto is situated along the Douro River in Northern Portugal and is the second largest city in Portugal after Lisbon.  Almost 2 million people live in the Porto metro area. One of the top destinations in all of western Europe, Porto was elected The Best European Destination by the Best European Destinations Agency in 2017.

Travelers that explore the areas around Porto are in for great experiences.  Ancient archaeological sites abound, such as the Celtic village of Citania de Briteiros.  There are many castles can be explored including Guimarães Castle. Porto is on the Portuguese Way path of the Camino de Santiago. Northern Portugal is famous for Port wine and the Douro River Valley is home to many famous wineries.

It certainly is a really nice place to explore by walking around and to meet people make sure you go out at night. You will also find Porto’s atmosphere to be, by far, more authentic than Lisbon.

History

This area is rich in history and considered the birthplace of country itself. Porto is one of the oldest European centers.  The Celts settled in and around Porto in 300 BC.  Porto was a Roman Empire outpost as late as the 5th century AD.  After that, Germanic tribes and then the Moors occupied Porto until the reconquest in 868.  Porto was later invaded by Vikings and Arabs until eventually became an important city of Portugal. It’s no wonder that the historical core of Porto is a World Heritage Site.

People

Residents of Porto are very proud of their city and you may hear the expression that "o Porto é uma nação" which means Porto is a nation. People from Porto are often called the Tripeiros, or tripe eaters.  The city's inhabitants went without meat during the Portuguese conquest of Ceuta in North Africa in 1415 to help provision the fleet, hence the name Tripeiros.  Instead of meat, they subsisted on tripe soup.  Visitors to Porto may recognize that sometimes it feels like it is all business - as the saying goes, "Porto works, Braga prays, Coimbra studies, and Lisbon gets the money."

Climate

Porto's climate is semi-Mediterranean climate.  The Atlantic Ocean makes Porto cooler than other cities with this climate. Temperatures rise as high as 40°C in August during occasional heat waves. Winters are mild, rainy and humid, with occasional cold nights when temperatures can drop below 0°C.

Getting Around

Porto Metro light rail/subway system is modern and is the best way to get around Porto even though some parts of the city don’t have good coverage yet.  You need to purchase and store tickets on an Adante card at the station.

You can also purchase a Porto Card for 24, 48, or 72 consecutive hours of unlimited access to public transportation and includes free access to some museums and other discounts.

Don’t Miss

While in Porto, make sure you don’t miss the following experiences:

• Aliados Avenue
• Rua de Santa Catarina (shopping street)
• Visit Livraria Lello - the library that inspired  JK Rowling to write Harry Potter
• Cross the Ponte de Dom Luis (The Dom Luis I Bridge) bridge on the top and lower bridges.
• Tour one of the Port Wine cellars (on the Gaia side of the Douro River)
• Grab a beer and enjoy the sunset at Serra do Pilar viewpoint on the Gaia side of the Douro River)
• Ribeira (Porto's Riverside area)
• Sao Bento's train station
• Take in the views from the area outside Se Catedral Porto
• Enjoy the night out around Galerias
• Capela das Almas and the surrounding area
• Try the traditional "Francesinha" with a nice and cold beer at lunchtime
• Cafe Santiago (go early)
• Lado B
• Bufete Fase
• Barcarola Café
• Brasao Cervejaria

Suggested Afternoon Itinerary

Start your walking tour at Sao Bento station, head down to Ribeira, buy a combined ticket for a boat trip on Douro river plus visit to one of the Port wine cellars (ask for the time with English guide). Cross the bridge on the lower side to Gaia, visit the Cellars, do the boat trip, have some fun at the rooftop terrace bar Espaco Porto Cruz on the side of Sandeman Port Cellar. Then walk up or take the cable car to Serra do Pilar and enjoy the sunset over there.

General Tips

Here are some general tips to help you enjoy your time in Porto:

• If traveling to Porto from Lisbon (Lisboa), visit Obidos on your way
• Order an expresso Italy and Portugal and Italy are the best places to have expresso.   You will not be disappointed!
• Always buy bread or pastries at a traditional Patisserie (Pastelaria)
• Ask for the menu of the day when having lunch (in Portuguese, "Menu do Dia"). A lot of restaurants use this method for lunch.  The Menu do Dia usually has soup, a main course, coffee and drink and is cheaper than ordering off the regular menu.
• Always ask for the house wine at meals, it normally is as good as any other wine and it is the cheapest one. The wine is generally very cheap in Portugal, so you can always buy some and drink on the street or in a nice place elsewhere.
• Complement fish or shellfish dishes with some cold Vinho Verde, a unique Portuguese wine from the north.

 

How Traveling Can Help You Fight Depression

 

How Traveling Can Help You Fight Depression

Living with depression is not the most desirable thing. It is not a tangible feeling of being happy or sad and neither is it a medical condition that can be wiped out with a few tablets every other day (do not quit using medication). It feels like a dark cloud hanging over you and you have to fight your own way through it. Traveling can help fight depression.

Many people suffering from depression have felt a liberating feeling after going on a fun-filled excursion. It has dragged them towards the light at the end of the tunnel.

Traveling does not necessarily mean quitting your job and leaving everything behind or that sort of thing; it can be the kind where you plan and prepare for it. If you can do the former where you quit your day job and do a pilgrimage where you explore your spirituality and sexuality, well and good! The bottom line is: have fun out there.

How beneficial is a trip to someone going through a bout of depression? Here are a few ways in which travel helps you fight depression:

 

Traveling opens up new neural pathways 

When you are depressed, your mind gets caught up in a loop of negative thoughts and it makes you feel isolated. You get used to experiencing dark emotions and it shuts you off from the environmental conditions that can help you overcome these bad feelings. It is worse if you are used to a routine because you get used to things going a certain way and it becomes hard to shake off the negative thoughts.

When you travel, you are forced to experience new situations that trigger different stimuli. You face new challenges and if forces your brain to think differently. In this state, your negative thoughts are slowly replaced by positive ones.

 

Traveling helps remove external stressors

When you travel to, say the beach, you are released from your normal environment which your brain associates with negative feelings. As such, your usual surroundings are external stressors. A trip comes with a change of scenery. It is liberating to the mind and it helps freshen things up.

 

You meet new people

Traveling to a new place and engaging in a fun activity while you are there presents you with the chance to meet new people. You strike up conversations with them and you share experiences. Such encounters help you develop a new outlook on life. If you are fortunate, you can make new friends who will actively help you fight depression.

 

You can engage in new activities guilt-free 

When you are out on a trip to, say, a foreign country, you can do activities that you would normally not do at home. You can go kayaking, bungee jumping, white water rafting, or even skydiving. If you are not cut out for such extreme activities, you can sing in a bar, swim, read a book, and get a massage. Such activities help ease your mind.

 

You experience nature

If you live in a big city where there are many cars, skyscrapers, billboards, and factories, you need to travel to experience Mother Nature. It can be refreshing to go out on a trip to a place where the air is fresh, the birds sing, the water splashes on the rocks, and the crickets chirp at night. Nature can serve as a tonic to your depressed mind.

 

Conclusion

Depression can be crushing and traveling can relieve the pressure. Traveling calls for initiative and you may feel like it is a lot of work. It is worthwhile. Get out of your comfort zone and embark on your healing journey!

Top 10 Places to See in Europe

 

Top 10 Places to see in Europe

 

Despite being the second smallest continent in the world, Europe is one place that encompasses nearly everything. From magical and logical attractions to the ancient and modern ones, you will always have something new to explore whether it’s your first or tenth time there. This is why millions of travelers come here to get a taste of the very tumultuous history and rich culture that this continent has to offer. The only challenge travelers here have is choosing from the thousands of unique attractions and sites to visit. To help you, I have compiled a list of the top 10 best places in Europe you must see and visit.

 

Louvre, Paris

Built in the year 1793, this is arguably Europe’s and the world’s most visited museum. It is a central landmark of the city and receives more than 8 million visitors annually. Being an art lover's paradise, the museum displays more than 35 thousand objects all coming from the 6th BC up to the 19th century.

 

Vatican, Rome

As the center of the entire Roman Catholic Church, the Vatican definitely needs no introduction. Being located inside the city of Rome, the Vatican has a rich history and more artwork than any other city in the world. It also houses St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s square, and the Vatican museum all which are world’s big tourist attractions.

 

Buckingham palace, Buckingham

After being built in the year 1705, this palace was first known as the Buckingham House. However, it was later named a palace in 1837 following Queen Victoria's accession. The palace has a total of 775 rooms including 19 State rooms, 188 staff rooms, 52 guest rooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms all decorated using precious works of art.

 

The Colosseum, Rome

Situated in Rome’s capital center, the Colosseum is the largest known Amphitheatre. Its construction started in the 70AD during the Roman Empire when Vespasian was the empire. The Colosseum was anciently used for gladiator fights but what remains are the ruins which are a major tourist attraction in Rome.

 

Eiffel Tower, Paris

The Eiffel Tower was originally built to represent the 1989 exhibitions that marked a century ever since the French Revolution. It later became a symbol of Paris. Having been designed by Gustave Eiffel, the tower is now the world's most visited entrance-paying monument. The tower enables visitors to experience breathtaking views of the city and houses a wide range of restaurants inside.

 

Disneyland Park, France

With more than 12 million visitors visiting here annually, Disney Park is questionably one of the most visited places in Europe. It is divided into two main parks with each one holding separate attraction areas. This entertainment resort encompasses more than four thousand acres of theme parks, golf courses, and entertainment complex.

 

Venice, Italy

Spending some time in Venice feels like you are in a world away from reality. Visitors here are greeted by the breathtaking views of Grand Canal when they Step from Santa Lucia train station. There are tour guides at Doge’s palace and Saint Mark's Basilica to give visitors some great historical insight.

 

Akropolis, Athens

Located on the rocky hills along the valley of IlIssos, the Akropolis in Athens is the most famous in the world. Since it is situated right in the city center, it offers visitors impressive sights of the city of Athens. There is also a wonderful museum located just under its southern slopes.

 

British Museum, London

London is known to be a real treat when it comes to museums. Located in Bloomsbury, the British museum is among the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Here, visitors are open to viewing more than 7 million objects and 2 miles of galleries. Thanks to its free admission, the British Museum receives more than 5 million visitors annually

 

Belfast Castle, Scotland

A visit to the Belfast castle is a must if you are a history enthusiasts. Located on the edges of Belfast city on Antrim road, this castle can be seen even far away from the town. This classic sandstone building offers amazing views of the very romantic Scottish city. Visitors can choose to have scenic views of the city from the castle or go for a hike to the summit of Cave Hill and get a chance to view the castle from above.

The Best Foodie Destinations

 

The best foodie destinations

A good friend of mine once said, “there is no love sincere than love for food,” and I couldn’t agree with him more. The only thing better? Eating good food while traveling somewhere new and exciting!

Why not enjoy a heavenly cup of coffee while enjoying the view from your hotel balcony somewhere in Florence? Maybe travelling make you hungry, or perhaps being somewhere new stokes the fire of your inquisitive personality: Whichever the case, if travel only heightens your foodie-nature, these destinations should high on your travel list!

1.          Paris, France

Continuously voted the best foodie destination in Europe, Paris undoubtedly takes the lead as the top food destination in the world. French Chefs have an unmatched reputation for preparing deliciously satisfying meals.

If you love Baguettes, Steak frites, Duck confits, Croissants, Macarons, fine wines, and of course cheeses then rest assured Paris will never let you go hungry.

2.          Macedonia

It is likely that the average traveler knows very little, if any, regarding this nation, let alone its cuisine. So, let have the pleasure of being the first one to inform you: Macedonian food is a category of cuisine not to miss for foodies everywhere!

I could write about Macedonian food all day, but to sum it up, their meals usually consist of a delightful mix of produce, high end meats, and dairy products alongside a professional selection of delicious local wines. Even writing this made my mouth water. If anything even remotely similar occurred to you then Macedonia ought to be your next stop.

Venture into this landlocked nation and experience foodie wonders worth bragging about for years.

3.           Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok, Thailand is home to a globally respected food community more than sure to satisfy the appetite of any foodie traveler from all around the world.

Listing every delicious thing you should try in Bangkok is near impossible because the city features thousands of must-try meals intended just for tourists. If this doesn’t qualify Bangkok as a food heaven, then I do not know possibly could! 

4.          Lima, Peru

In the last couple of years, Lima has risen in notoriety as one of the best foodie destinations in South America. The city has earned this wonderful reputation in part thanks to its position on the situated off the Pacific Ocean and as a result its creation of appealing and mesmerizing seafood dishes.

5.          New York

Known for some of most iconic meals in the whole world (ahem, the pizza!), New York City is a 1-stop with every special meal you can think of!

Treat yourself to delicious meals from everywhere across the globe ranging from dim sum eateries in, sweet Indian take outs, and of course a pizza shop on every corner.

Conclusion

People travel for any number of reasons; some for love, some for work, some for adventure, and others, well, just because they can. Regardless of your reason for travel, finding an exciting new foodie destination to treat yourself will always be a perfect way to enjoy a new or familiar piece of this beautiful Earth.

The Best Traveling Activities

 

                                                     The best traveling activities

As you travel around the world, specific activities suddenly become your new way of life rather than useless axioms most people aspire to try out, but somehow only a few get to do it.

When it’s just you and your traveling backpack a long way from home, live in the moment, enjoy your freedom, and try out things you would consider ridiculously overwhelming in “normal setting.”

From indoor to outdoor activities, this post presents to you the best traveling activities every traveler should try out at least once in their lifetime.

1.          Wilderness Backpacking

Wilderness backpacking is the grand traveling adventure. Even more, this traveling activity happens to be the most liberal as it allows you to view gorgeous landscapes from a new and unique perception.

As long as you do not mind exerting some physical effort from time to time, wilderness backpacking could be the best way to get away from your troubles and enjoy earth’s beautiful topography along the way.

2.          Skydiving

What better way to spend your excursions than transits from the highest point of earth with the help of gravity? Good news is skydiving is not tied to any specific location, making it the best choice if you would like to view a place from a bird’s view.

As long as you can keep your eyes open and not pray or curse 90 percent of the time, then I guarantee you’ll fall in love with skydiving.

If you are a blowhard, like me, then you could bring a footage home with you and show it off to your parents and friends.

Here is a fun fact about skydiving: Skydiving builds upper body strength (used when controlling the parachute) and lower body muscle groups (used for landing). Interesting, right?

3.          Swimming

Swimming is one of the most enjoyable and readily available traveling activities. Most hotels nowadays feature inbuilt swimming pools to entertain their guests and keep them engaged. Even though swimming is not free from hazards, it is an activity enjoyed by individuals of all ages.

In case swimming is your no one traveling activity, kindly ask yourselves the following questions prior to setting out for your journey.

•         Is the season friendly for swimming in your destination?

•         In case a beach is not an option in your destination, how much will it cost you to rent a hotel with an indoor pool?

•         How much free time do you have set aside for swimming?

Kindly note; swimming poses numerous hazards so make sure you know how to swim if you plan on engaging in the activity.

4.          Cliff Jumping

If you plan on cliff jumping, try and make it the highest one in the world. Besides being the least complicated extreme sport, cliff jumping gets to award you a thrilling dose of adrenaline, unlike any other activity.

That being said, cliff jumping is not for the easily scared. In case you are a beginner looking forward to getting over the fear of heights, Cliff jumping is for you, but make sure you learn how to do it right without getting hurt in the process.

5.          Rock climbing

Rock climbing is usually considered reckless, dangerous, and irresponsible by non-climbers (and for a good reason) but rock-climbing is one of the most amusing ways to push one’s physical and mental abilities.

Even more, your love for rock climbing could be the perfect motivation to visit attractive nations with mesmerizing rock formations.

5 Best Winter Vacations

 

5 Best Winter Vacations

Most people think the only appropriate season to explore the world is summer, and in case you are one of these “unfortunate” people then I’d like to change your mind with this blog post.

If you are the type that appreciatively looks forward to every December vacation, then you can affirm that winter is one of the best times to explore the different topographies of Mother Nature.

Furthermore, who doesn’t love winter vacations? I mean, I do not like gloomy, overcast, or rainy weather either, but I love winter seasons.

So, regardless of your travel preferences and what you are looking for (may it be a snowy retreat at in Colorado, a week sightseeing southern Spain, a sweater weather dual to Austin, or a perfect family cruise in the Caribbean), there is an ideal winter destination for you to bask this coming December.

1.          Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn city is the perfect winter destination for a short city break. During winter, the town turns magical with snow-covered streets and rooftops. This view integrated with the fact Tallinn city is naturally attractive due to its ancient walls, stunning old buildings, medieval towers, and cobbled streets makes the whole town downright stunning and the best winter destination on this list.

2.          Belize

Despite being a small, centrally placed American nation (approximately the same size as Massachusetts), only few winter vacation on this list can match Belize’s mesmerizing natural attractions. The barrier reef torques and coral hues match the spectacular Mayan ruins dispersed across Belize’s forests.

Belize spent decades hidden beneath Mexican vicinities’ shadows (Tulum, Cancun, and Cozumel) but today, this nation invites visitors from all around the world with its scuba diving heavens, Mayan ruins, and thatch-ceiled vintage lodges.

Even better, hundreds of tiny islands known as atolls and cays face off to Belize’s sun-drenched coastline. These islands lure tourists with their astonishing cerulean waters and palm trees. Try out Belize this winter and get to experience its unraveling charms.

3.          The Florida Keys

If cost is a golden factor, but then again you’re searching for a perfect winter vacation destination, then The Florida Keys could be the destination you are looking for. This string of tropical islands offers an array of economical winter vacations; all at an affordable price.

Key West, for instance, is well known for its beautiful sunsets, beaches, art galleries, and watersports. Keys on the northern side (e.g., Islamorada and Marathon), on the other hand, are well known for their affordable resorts and hotels.

4.          Oman

In case you would like to escape the snow a little bit but still make it home for the holidays, I suggest you visit the deserts of Oman. Here, you can explore magnificent canyons of Al Hajar Mountains and cruise through the dunes of Wahiba Sands. A brief, 3-week’s visit to the deserts of Oman can never leave you disappointed.

5.          Paris

Despite being a prominent tourist destination throughout summer, Paris holds an unsung secret close to its chest. During winter, Paris transforms into the most elegant city in all of Europe making it a must-see for every traveler this coming winter.

Have you ever asked yourself how it would feel like to ascend the Eiffel tower or line up to enter Musee du Louvre during winter? I suggest you visit and find out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to Avoid High Currency Exchange Fees

 

How to Avoid High Currency Exchange Fees

If you travel repeatedly then you probably engage in currency conversion a lot; and every time you do, your bank tries to rip you off as much cash as they can in the process. Even worse, currency exchange rip-offs at airport currency booths can cost travelers more than 400 dollars for every 1,200 dollars they exchange.

If you are not careful enough, you might pay fees and interests that cancel out your savings. Here are numerous ideas to help you evade unreasonably high exchange rates.

1.           Research on the different types of foreign ATM fees

Most ATMs usually charge fees. And in most cases, these fees vary if you are not a member of the respective bank. To ensure you avoid unnecessary hidden fees, research and find out every foreign bank linked with your local bank.

However, also note that some banks charge fees and interests to every user.

2.           Exchange currencies before leaving for your excursion

If you are yet to pack your bags, spare some time and hunt for the best exchange rates. Here are numerous recommended spots you can exchange currency. I have arranged them from the least to most expensive.

•         Check with your bank or credit union

•         Order cash via an online currency converter

•         Use airport currency booths, stores, and kiosks (Last resort)

I recommend Banks and credit card unions because they offer the best exchange rates and won’t charge irrational fees to exchange currency.

In case you are out of options, but would still like to exchange currency prior to leaving for your trip, try out airport kiosks and stores. However, kindly note that their exchange rates are generally low, and fees are high and numerous. Avoid this option at all cost.

3.           Find out if your destination is “cards” friendly

Research and find out whether your final destination is credit or debit cards friendly. In case it is, avoid currency exchange fees with “no foreign transaction fee” debit and credit cards.

Plan and apply for one of these cards before leaving for your trip and consequently use them instead of cash wherever possible. Kindly avoid using your “no foreign transaction fee” cards on foreign ATMs because you’ll be charged huge interests and fees faster than you can say Banana.

If your predetermined destination is not card friendly and only operates more in cash, refer to advice no 2 and exchange currencies before leaving for your trip.

4.           Find and use a reliable currency exchange company

If you are exchanging $5,000 to $100,000, avoid huge fees and only incur approximately 0.5% interest by choosing and using any of the following currency exchange firms:

•         TransferWise

•         OFX

•         CurrencyFair

•         Xe.com

This is how these companies operate;

•         You transfer (either through wire transfer or ACH in the United States) your funds to one of their bank accounts, and they direct or wire transfer the same amount to your account, but in an exchanged currency.

Usually, this implies you’ll need a bank account with two distinct currencies. To simplify this, open a bank account with various currencies.