Category: Destinations

Eating out in Menorca

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Sidewalk patio in Menorca

When it comes to eating out in Menorca, there are restaurants enough to suit every taste, budget and ‘sensitive palate’ (otherwise known as ‘picky sod’) under the sun. Whether you’re after a cheap lunch to get your metabolism started after a night on the town, or a more substantial meal to impress friends, family or that special someone, a veritable smorgasbord of restaurants awaits you – and we’re sure you won’t mind the food-related pun on ‘smorgasbord’.

Discover the best of them here on this idyllic Spanish island, and then book yourself a flight with Monarch Airways and get sampling the delightful eateries below.

Pan y Vino

Few nationalities put as much effort into their style, presentation and taste sensation as the French. It is an attitude Pan y Vino has made an almighty effort to imitate. Serving up Mediterranean cuisine – typically with a French twist – their menu is varied, exotic and above all, sumptuous. You can find Pan y Vino in Saint Lluis es.

El Castillo

A seafront bar/restaurant with superbly sweeping views all the way out to the horizon, this minx of a venue pulls no punches when it comes to serving up good quality cuisine for reasonable prices. If you are in Menorca for a special occasion, they openly invite you to tell them so that they can serve you up something particularly memorable. The menu features homemade tapas and what the owners describe as the ‘best pizzas in Menorca’. So far, we haven’t found reason to doubt this. El Castillo can be found in Avinguda del Port d’Addaia.

Smoix

The website, decor and presentation of Smoix can only be described as minimalist, but the taste of the meals is anything but. Big on flavour and bang on the money, it’s a great up-market eatery if you’re out to impress. Just be careful the person you’re trying to wow doesn’t walk off with the chef. The fig slices as a starter are particularly divine. Located on Carre Sant Isidre 33 in Ciutaedella de Menorca.

Bar Camacho

For authentic tapas, look no further than Bar Camacho. It’s often said that to find the best places, you need to follow the locals and that is certainly true of this little eatery. Good food, friendly service and wholesome tapas dishes. Camacho is located at La Calle Victori 19 in Es Castell.

Buddha Lounge Cafe

Remember to light a candle to the Buddha before you sit down in this unique cafe, bar and restaurant mix. A raised seating area straddles the nearby street, giving you a great vantage point from which to watch the passers-by. Service is excellent and the sheer variety of drinks on offer will give even the most cultured connoisseur of beverages pause for thought. You can find the Buddha Lounge Cafe on Centro Comercial Son Bou.

Alaska

Tapas is the name of the main meal here at Alaska. Go straight for the appropriate menu and choose your favourite dishes. The red peppers stuffed with cod are particularly delectable. But be sure to save some space for dessert as the lemon sorbet served with locally sourced gin is absolutely excellent.

 

Top Destinations In Feira de Santana

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skyline view of Feira de Santana

Visiting the top destinations in Feira de Santana is a good idea when spending a vacation in the Brazilian state of Bahia. This city earned the special nickname called “the gateway to the backcountry”.

Apparently, this city is located within the famous Agreste Zone. The Agreste Zone is a geographic region that separates the wetland area called “Zona da Mata” and the arid deserted region of “Sertao”. This city is a Spanish derivation for the compound noun “market of St. Anne” and it is obvious that this city thrives on straightforward retail commerce since centuries before.

This city’s geographic position proves a valuable asset for its tourism industry because outdoor adventurers visiting either of the two boondocks in the Agreste Zone always stop by at this city. And while there are here, they could be delayed by the following destinations:

1. Metropolitan Cathedral of Santa Anna

Anyone attempting to brave the wilderness of Zona da Mata or trekking through the dry lands of Sertao must be competent enough to recognize the difficulty of what they are about to embark into. Veteran outdoor adventurers who have been to this journey before has no cause for anxiety. But newbies might need to pray for it. For Catholic Christians, one of the top destinations in Feira de Santana to visit is the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santa Anna. This church was built in the 1800’s as a centerpiece to the fast growing market settlement and now it is the seat of the Archdiocese of Feira de Santana.

2. Market of popular arts

The market of popular arts is a famous location for a wide variety of travelers. Although the word art is generally understood in a sophisticated cultural sense, pop arts appeal to the more casual variety of people whose tastes are not so superior to any common man. Anyone would easily appreciate the stark hippie colors of illustrated images either printed on posters or souvenir t-shirts with a caption “we love St. Anne” in Portuguese or Spanish.

3. Museum of contemporary art

The Museum of Contemporary Art is a unique take on history and culture in contrary to how mainstream understanding defines it. Apparently, Feira de Santana does not have such a very extensive history and the same can even be said more of the people’s art culture. But in modern times the interest in art, particularly of the more recent genres, has caught up with the people. There is good reason to believe foreign outdoor adventurers have contributed to that behavior quite immensely.

4. Antares Astronomical Observatory

The Antares Astronomical Observatory is one of the most interesting of the top destinations in Feira de Santana. Astronomy is the closest thing to a non-fiction academic field that Star Wars lovers could hardly ignore. In fact, for a city that is often believed to be backward has some facility that is technologically advanced. Obviously, this academic facility is an extension of the Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana.

 

Arts and culture in Suffolk, UK

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Band playing at the Latitude Festival in Suffolk, UK

Suffolk has traditionally been seen as a very low-key destination for a getaway, consisting mainly of quiet rural landscapes. However, anyone who thinks there’s not much going on in the county is very much mistaken, as the region boasts a vibrant arts and culture scene, with all manner of live shows taking place throughout the year.

With Ipswich being the largest city in Suffolk, it’s unsurprising that many of the theatres and other live performance venues are located here, although the county’s abundance of flat arable land has also been put to good use, with large-scale outdoor music festivals being held across the region. Depending on when you visit will likely determine what sort of events you are able to attend, although you can be sure that no matter when you come here, there’ll be something exciting going on in this vibrant destination.

In terms of reaching the area, it’s a good idea to hire a car from London and head north-east along the A1214. More information about doing so can be found here, and we’ll now talk about some of the wonderful cultural events on offer in Suffolk.

Live music

No matter what genre of music you’re into, you’ll find something to suit your taste at Aldeburgh. Surrounded by stunning scenery, the place first rose to prominence in 1948 when the famous composer Benjamin Britten hosted the first ever Aldeburgh Festival, and since then the Aldeburgh Music programme has turned the location into the premier spot for live performances.

A number of venues have been erected on what has become known as the Creative Campus since Britten first launched the festival 65 years ago, and to this day the event is held every June, with most of the action being centred around the Snape Maltings Concert Hall.

For something a little more boisterous, Latitude Festival also takes place in Suffolk, with Henham Park hosting the event each July. Over the past few years it has grown into one of the most popular summer music festivals in the UK, with major bands like Bloc Party, the Pet Shop Boys and many others having performed.

Away from the main stage, Latitude also has a poetry tent and a comedy stage, so there’s plenty of live entertainment to suit everyone.

Theatre

Suffolk is home to the only working Regency playhouse in the UK, with the Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds being a Grade 1 listed building, currently owned by the National Trust. Originally built back in 1819, the venue was restored earlier this decade before reopening in 2007, and endeavours to recreate the theatre experience of the early 19th century via a heritage programme entitled ReVisit.

As part of this initiative, productions of plays that were performed around the time when the venue first opened are regularly staged here, while a number of other talks, workshops and demonstrations are also held at the Theatre Royal with the aim of bringing the Regency to life.

Elsewhere, the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich is one of the country’s leading performance venues, and puts on a vibrant and diverse range of shows aimed at thrilling audiences while also delivering creative learning experiences.

The Ipswich Regent, meanwhile, hosts a fantastic programme of live shows ranging from musicals to pantomimes, and is another wonderfully historic site, dating back to 1929.

 

The Best Time To Visit Tulum, Mexico

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Get the most out of your vacation at one of the Yucatan Peninsula’s earliest resort areas, by knowing the best time to visit Tulum. It may not be Cancun, but its picturesque coastlines and pristine beaches have made it a place of worship and relaxation by Mayan kings, clergy and gods in the early times.  And up to today, it’s one of the most visited resort towns in the country, with its famous Mayan ruins and breathtaking beaches.

But knowing the best time to visit Tulum can spare you the hassle of dealing with high hotel prices, huge swarms of tourists and hurricane season.  Here’s a guide:

Mayan ruins in tulum

January to March.  During this time, temperatures are at its peak, ranging from high 60s to high 80’s and the chances are rain are very slim.  It’s also the peak season where the ruins and the beaches are jam packed with tourists and hotel prices soar.  Though, with a little digging, you will be able to find good deals.

April to June.  During late spring, the temperatures continue to rise, but the prices of accommodation start to fall, except when the famous Cinco de Mayo festival is fast approaching.

July to September.  Hurricane season may mean low hotel prices, but it may also mean having to check the weather every once in a while.  During this time, there’s a big chance that you might get caught in a bad storm.  But even if there isn’t any hurricane or storm in the horizon, expect to have your itinerary ruined by sweltering temperatures and frequent rains.

October to December.  The best time to visit Tulum is when the hurricane season has passed and the temperature falls down to around low 80’s.  But do plan ahead.  Come early winter-time, tourists from the U.S. start swarming in Tulum during this time to escape the freezing cold of winter in the United States.  But you can save a great deal if you make reservations and book flights upon the start of the winter season.

Top Things To Do In Samoa

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The top things to do in Samoa guarantee an unforgettable vacation for both honeymooners and families alike.  This island nation in the South Pacific Ocean which is part of Polynesia has beautiful beaches and great landscapes thanks to the countless volcanic cones you can see all over the main islands.  Samoa has a pleasant tropical climate, making it a great place escape the harsh cold winters in the southern hemisphere.

If you’re looking forward to a vacation here, here are some of the top things to do in Samoa:

beach in Samoa

Learn the basic Samoan language.  Knowing a little Samoan will help you ease your way into the hearts of the locals, even it’s only how to say “Hi” and “Thank You”.  Here are some of the phrases to get you started:

Talofa – Hello.

Faafetai – Thank you.

O a mai oe? – How are you?

Get a Samoan Tattoo.  One must get a Samoan tattoo, as a way of sealing your experience in the island nation.  This traditional art form is very much part of the Samoan culture.  So if you can bare the pain, ask your hotel for recommendations on the best place to get a Samoan tattoo.

Remember that designs for men and women are different.  Samoan tattoo for men may cover half the body.

Get Married.  What’s more romantic than getting married in Samoa?  With its beautiful beaches and great sunsets, it’s hard not to fall in love with the island nation.  There are several hotels and resorts offering special packages for weddings and honeymoons.  So take the chance, fall inlove and get married in Samoa.

Scuba diving.  It’s no surprise that scuba diving is one of the top things to do in Samoa.  The surrounding waters are abundant in sea life and colourful coral reefs, especially in Upolu and Savai’i.  with around 900 species of fish and 200 types of corals, Samoa’s waters are an underwater paradise that’s worth discovering.

Sample local food.  Samoan cuisines make use of ingredients which are not familiar to westerners.  So it’s important that you do try out some of local delicacies when you’re in Samoa.  Some of the most common dishes in Samoan cuisine are pork, fish, taro or breadfruit cooked in Umu style, or over hot stones and covered in banana leaves until cooked, and Oka, or raw fish marinated in a mixture of lemon juice, coconut cream, salt and finely chopped onions.

Top Reasons To Visit Rwanda

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While seeing the silverback gorillas is the main highlight in  visiting Rwanda, there’s more to this African country than these gentle giants, as the top reasons to visit Rwanda prove.  Officially called the Republic of Rwanda, this country flanked by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo has a varied landscape, ranging from mountains to savannah plains with lakes dotting the entire country.

And while it may not be your idea of a dream destination, the top reasons to visit Rwanda may make you want to consider this underrated travel destination on your next trip to Africa:

hills in Rwanda

It’s the land of a thousand hills.  And the country surely lives up to its name.  With mountains beyond mountains beyond mountains, Rwanda is a sight to behold.  Imagine seeing a breath-taking panorama of mountains surrounded by Rwanda’s famous floating mists.  It’s like being in heaven, only you’re alive and holding a camera to capture that priceless moment forever.

It’s clean, and virtually safe.  Tourists are warmly welcomed in the country, so long as you don’t stray from the capital, Kigali after dark, or visit certain areas in the border due to the presence of Hutu paramilitary.

So much to see, so much to do.  One of the top reasons to visit Rwanda is because there’s just so much to see in the country.  Aside from the breathtaking panorama of the mountains, there’s a great diversity of landscapes, such as extinct volcanoes, rivers, lakes and savannahs teeming with wildlife.

Lake Kivu is your best bet for a relaxing weekend, or a week if you’re looking forward to a lazy holiday in Rwanda.  But with so much to see in the country, why waste a week lounging by the lake side?

Because there’s more to Rwanda than silverback gorillas.  Rwanda’s varied landscapes are teeming with life.  Wildlife that is, from the mountains, to the rainforests, to the savannahs.  Visit their national parks and nature reserves to meet Rwanda’s other underrated residents such as elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, and a wide variety of bird species with some of the most beautiful plumages you’ll ever see.

History.  The memory of the Rwanda genocide still lingers heavily especially among its local populace and some are still grieving for the loss of their loved ones due to one of the world’s worst tragedies.  Memorials, such as the Genocide Memorial in Kigali, the Nymata Genocide Memorial and the Ntarama Genocide Memorial provide a great insight to Rwanda’s worst moments in history.  The relics and evidences such as the victims’ clothing piled on benches and bullet-riddled roofs are a haunting and moving reminder of the genocide.