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Tour Fall Foliage From Boston

Boston is a great destination that offers wonderful food, history and plenty of unique events for visitors. The absolute best time to go to the New England region is in the fall; warm days, crisp and cool nights, beautiful autumn leaves glowing in reds and yellows, caramel apples, and cider donuts.

If you are thinking about <a href="http://twoweekstotravel.com/2011/06/27/find-gems-in-your-own-backyard-%E2%80%93-a-weekend-in-boston/">taking a vacation to Boston</a>, now is the time to do it! Here is one interesting tour that let's you experience the beauty of fall in New England.

<strong>The Fall Foliage Spectacular Tour:</strong> Allows visitors to Boston to take a day away from the hustle and bustle of city life and view all of the natural beauty the surrounding areas have to offer. The best part about this tour is that it picks you up directly from any of the hotels in Boston and transports you straight to breathtaking scenery for all your photography needs and includes some traditional New England fare along the way.

If you are pondering taking a break this fall and doing a short vacation, put Boston at the top of your list. Championship sports teams, history, top notch educational institutions and fresh seafood all make Boston a must see destination anytime of year, but especially in the Autumn.

Organize Your Suitcase

How do you usually pack a suitcase? Pile shorts, pants, pajamas, undergarments, boots, leggings, belts, and toiletries into a mounding heap before cramming them into your largest Samsonite, then plopping yourself on the lid to fasten it shut. Oops, did you forget extra socks or underwear?

Get your loose clothing organized, keep luggage contents neat and clean, and easily zip your suitcase shut by sorting and packing items into sturdy, lightweight Lusso Bags http://www.lussobags.com/. Stuff socks and underwear into one drawstring bag. Prevent the dirt on your running shoes from smearing on your white, wool sweater or hoodie by giving them their own bag. Place high heels in a separate bag to keep them from stabbing your silk scarves. Stash accessories into another one. Hold back a couple empty bags for laundry. 

One of the best things about these nifty bags is that the company is dedicated to helping end human trafficking and gives back a portion of every purchase to this cause. The Mrs. Bird bag is actually made in Kolkata by women who have left the sex trade to work as seamstresses. It is both eco-friendly and fair-trade, meaning the women are paid adequate wages that enable them to leave the poverty that forced them into the unhappy journey of sex trafficking.

 

By using travel shoe bags to sort your contents, not only will you have a much tidier suitcase, you should also be able to conveniently locate, say, the swim trunks or bikini from your swimwear sack.  Oh, and if you have to open a carry on during a security check, you won’t have to worry about underwear or other embarrassing belongings toppling onto the conveyor belt. Most importantly, while making your own journey easier, you get to simultaneously help trafficked victims end theirs.

 

 

October is Celebration Time in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Playa del Carmen is a great place to visit any time of year because of all the international restaurants and clientele, great weather, culture and some of the best beaches in the world.   October also offers lowers rates, fewer people and fun things to do.

Three unique events that take place in October in Playa, as the locals and lovers of all-things-Playa call it, include the Riviera Maya Underground Film Festival, the Sea Turtle Festival, and Days of the Dead celebrations!

 

Riviera Maya Underground Film Festival, October 6 - 9

One of the biggest attractions of Playa del Carmen is its international tourist base.  This international competition of Documentaries and Short Films (Animation, Experimental, and Fiction) also offers workshops and conferences on cinematography and filmmaking.  Open to the public and is free.

Sea Turtle Festival October 13 – 16

Another annual event, the Sea Turtle Festival provides an interactive opportunity for participants to learn about this endangered species and participate in activities, kite contests, sports competitions and games related to Sea Turtles and the environment.  This year is the inauguration of Stained Glass Bottles made to reflect the protection of sea turtles.  Free admission all days.

Dia de los Muertos, Days of the Dead, October 30 – November 2

Halloween and Days of the Dead mean parties, costumes and fun in Playa del Carmen.  Bars and restaurants offer costume parties and contests for locals and tourists.  Although Halloween is October 31, Days of the Dead begin November 1 and are a unique cultural celebration of the deceased.

Playa attracts an international tourist base of Americans, Canadians, Europeans, and South Americans.  Guests can fly into either Cancun or Cozumel airports and take a 30 minute ride to Playa.  For additional information, please visit My Blog

How to Eat like a Local in Antalya

 The cuisine of Antalya, the capital of the Turkish Mediterranean, is just what you'd expect: fresh whole fish, vegetables and fruits are the main events. The standard Turkish dish of Shish Kebap (cubes of lamb), doner (thin sliced pressed and seasoned lamb)and kofte (grilled meatbslls) are widely available, but they're not the specialty of the region. You can order the local fish, levrek (sea bass) or cipura (sea bream) in many places, including the simple bar/restaurants at Baki beach. But for the best quality head to your neighborhood Balik Evi (fish house) , where you can see the fresh fish on display and pick out the one that looks good to you. At the Balik Evi you can get the usual vegetable mezes, but you should take this opportunity to start with some tender fried calamari or the local specialty, stuffed mussels. The mussels are stuffed in their shells with seasoned rice. They tend to be a bit on the spicy side for my taste, but I've been called a " wimp" in this regard, so try at least one. They're usually sold for 50 kurus (about 30 cents) a piece. The traditional beverage to drink with fish is Raki, Turkey”s anisette flavored spirit. It's served with water to dilute it, and I'd recommend diluting it a lot. But come to think of it, I'm a wimp in this regard as well. Another option is to go for the local beer, Efes, which is a perfectly respectable lager. Of course the most authentic (and economic) way to eat the freshest food is to buy it at your local pazaar, the weekly market where farmers sell their produce. Buy a variety of beautiful greens and some tomatoes for a salad, and pick out a fish from the cheerful guy selling them. He'll clean and scale it for you, and all you have to do is throw it in the oven. A side dish can be a saute of zucchini and eggplant, or you could make some zeytinyagli fasulye, green beans cooked with tomato, onion, garlic and olive oil. As a starch you can try the fresh noodles , or fry up some tasty potatoes. Both are as authentic as the rice you get with most of your kebap orders. For dessert, buy some fresh figs and serve them with yoghurt and a little honey drizzled on top. Delicious and nutritious!

About the Author
Ellen Rabiner has been writing about travel since her teenage years on the road as a violist in a youth orchestra. After college her focus shifted to singing, although she did some creative writing as a lawyer in Los Angeles. She returned home to New York as a soloist at the Metropolitan Opera and resumed traveling as a guest artist with opera companies around the world. She is currently traveling and writing from her home in Antalya, Turkey. Follow her blog Talking Turkey.

Miami Food Tours

Savor Miami food tours while enjoying an Art Deco walking tour of South Beach. Taste a variety of delectable specialties from family owned restaurants while you walk and learn about the largest collection of Art Deco buildings in the world at our acclaimed food tours in Miami. Travelers have rated the South Beach Food Tour "best tour of South Beach." A fun and friendly tour guide who is passionate about the theme of the tour; Food - will lead your culinary journey. There will be an assortment of food and drink options - and you’ll get to listen to some of the most fascinating secret stories behind Miami Beach founders and pioneers.

From the Versace mansion to the most dramatic Nautical Art Deco lobby, at this Art Deco walking tour (with food)  you’ll get the chance to discover some of the tastiest small eateries and restaurants in Miami Beach. 

Take for example the stop the tour makes at a Colombian restaurant that was voted "Best Colombian Restaurant in Miami Beach" by the SunPost. Here foodies can taste a traditional corn empanada filled with smoked potatoes and shredded beef with aji sauce; a mild spicy sauce with a hint of habanero pepper.

Next, participants will get to try one of the Cuban classics at a place that is being owned by the same family for over 30 years. A smooth yet with a punch at the end, the Cafe Cubano that is featured at the tour is the best on in the district. There is a set of steps to brew the best colada with a light yet savory foam at the top. Guests get to learn how to prepare it while they watch the best Cuban barista in town.

Savory bites abound at the South Beach Food Tour, from Cuban to Colombian to all American bites, this foodie tour in Miami leads food aficionados to a route of discovery. Avoiding touristy places is what this tour is all about.

Why Honeymoon in Puerto Rico?

The beautiful Caribbean island of Puerto Rico is a surprisingly popular destination for honeymooners who are looking for adventure. The island is packed with fun things to do, delicious foods to eat, and warm friendly locals to welcome you to their island.

If you and your spouse to be are fans of nature and the outdoors, then Puerto Rico should move up on your list of places to visit. Activities to go hiking and scuba diving are abundant. When night falls feel free to visit one of the many bars, salsa clubs or casinos. This tropical paradise is a great place to cast your worries aside.

Its easy to have a romantic getaway and a memorable honeymoon in Puerto Rico. This lush island has a warm climate all year round. It is summer every day in Puerto Rico which is why it is an ideal place for tourists and other outdoor activities.

If you are a US citizen, you do not need a passport or visa to visit the island. Right after your wedding you can just head for paradise. Its that simple.

Like any popular tourist destination, you will have a variety of accommodations from which to choose. If you are on a budget, there are small hotels and bed & breakfast that you can book. If you want to spoil yourselves a bit, you can stay at world class hotels and resorts.

To fully enjoy your honeymoon and make it worthwhile, here are some suggestions:

1. Experience Caribbean Reef Diving. Believe it or not, diving is a popular activity on honeymoons in the Caribbean. As an avid diver, I can speak first hand about the quality of the diving in Puerto Rico. You will get to see colorful reefs, a wide, colorful variety of tropical fish (maybe you’ll even spot a turtle or a ray) as well as ancient wrecks.
2. Go off the beaten path and visit the islands of Vieques and/or Culebra. These are much smaller islands about a 45 minute flight east of the main island. They feature gorgeous white sand beaches, quaint bars and restaurants and even friendlier locals than the main island. 
3. Hike the El Yunque Rainforest. Put on your hiking boots and enjoy a nice half and hour hike to La Mina. Here, you will experience nature untouched by man. The scenery is truly breathtaking. From natural trails, to waterfalls, to scenic views and the sub-tropical habitat of Puerto Rico’s endangered wildlife, El Yunque is arguably the richest forest in all of the Caribbean. Its truly something special. 
4. Pamper yourself with in one of the spas in Puerto Rico. The grandest spa that can be found there is the Ritz-Carlton San Juan. You can also try out the Golden Door Spa located at the El Conquistador Resort. This way you’ll come back home feeling fully refreshed.

There are many things that you can do to make your Caribbean honeymoon unforgettable. The suggestions above are just the tip of the iceberg. What are you waiting for?

This is a guest post by Ripley Daniels. Ripley writes for WithoutTheStress.Com, a travel document expediter specializing in Same Day Passports and other time sensitive travel documents.

Mexico Is Safe – It Really Is

 Any travel article or blog about Mexico these days has to start with the drug cartel problem. There’s just no way around that, and to ignore that issue is disingenuous at best, and journalistically irresponsible at worst. So let’s get that out of the way rig  ht off before I tell you why y  ou shouldn’t be dissuaded from visiting the great country of Mexico. I don’t need to describe what’s been going on for the past five years since President Calderon took office,immediately declaring war against the brutal cartels. The traditional news providers headline their accounts every time someone gets whacked, as the gruesome details of mass graves, torture and innocent bystanders serve to frighten the frijoles out of a public that is way too eager to believe whatever is spoon-fed them in print. But nowadays we have the internet, where we can actually “talk” to people who travel Mexico frequently. And they will tell you that you have nothing to fear as long as you or your family members aren’t working drug deals or gun running. The guys, the drug assassins, hit people who are messing with their business. They have no interest in random killing or robbery of tourists, opening up that  messy can of worms. They have enough to handle fighting the Mexican feds; they don’t need the foreign governments and embassies in the mix. Yes, of course, there is some crime in Mexico, but it ranks #39 in the world for crimes per capita. By the way, the U.S. ranks #8 (#1 is the worse). Some people say to stay away from border towns, but I cross over to Tijuana from San Diego with no hesitation, as I have for years.Where else am I going to get a mesquite-fired street taco and a cold beer for a couple of bucks? Don’t think you can’t go to Mexico because it is unsafe. It is not. I know many gringos who live throughout Mexico, and many more who travel there frequently. I talk to these people daily, and to a person, they say that Mexico is as safe as it has ever been. Most of them feel safer there than they do in their U.S. hometowns. And they always tell me what I’ve known to be true for my decades of Mexico travel – there are no nicer, friendlier people in the world. So, now that you know you can go to Mexico, where do you go? It is such an amazingly diverse country, you need to identify what you like. Do you want to sit on a beach? If so, do you want waves or calm water? Desert or jungle? How about mountains? They have the Sierra Madres populated with cobble-stoned colonial towns that date back 500 years. Pre-Columbian ruins are everywhere. You want a cosmopolitan city? Try Mexico City, Guadalajara, or Monterrey. Or how about that quaint fishing village with the hammock tied between pal  m trees? There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, to choose from. I’ve been to most of them and have left a little piece of me in each. Now that you have found the place you want to visit, you need to book a flight. Mexico is easy to get to, and with its proximity to the U.S. you can usually find a great deal. When you settle into a hotel, I suggest renting a car and exploring the area. Or take public transportation. Either way, g et out and see the country – eat the local food – interact with the people. You’ll discover what I have always known: Mexico is a wonderful place – the amigo country. David Simmonds published The Mexico File for 11 years, is the co-founder of MexicoPremiere.co  m, and founded the non-profit One Town At A Time, aimed at helping villages in Mexico become sustainable.

David Simmonds published The Mexico File for 11 years, is the co-founder of MexicoPremiere.com, and founded the non-profit One Town At A Time, aimed at helping villages in Mexico become sustainable.    

Culinary Travel in Ecuador

I love seeing new places.  I love meeting new people.  These aspects are key components to travel.  But let’s be honest. You can’t travel without food.  From markets to trattorias to café lounges, eating is a prime motivation for seeing the world.  Even though I’m from New York, a capital of international dining, I’d rather have my pasta in Bologna, udon in Osaka, and pad thai in Bangkok.  Now three weeks into a 10-month South America sojourn, I’ve learned that one of the best places for good food is Ecuador.

Locro de Papa

An insanely rich potato soup, locro de papa is a creamy dish topped with fresh avocado and cheese.  Creamed potatoes thicken the broth and bubble over like lava.  Cubes of cheese swim along, melting into the potatoes in a stringy mosaic.  The avocado is the crowning glory.  Cool and decadent slices of the green fruit temper the steaming bowl and add another velvety layer of richness. 

Ceviche with Popcorn

Every Latin country has its own version of ceviche.  Whether it be pulpo, pescado, or mixto, the ceviche in Ecuador is citrusy and always served with popcorn.  Little clouds of salty crunch add unbelievable texture to tender seafood.  With hot sauce and a frigid Pilsener beer, Ecuadorian ceviche is a complete meal or late afternoon snack.

Trucha ala Plancha

Meaning grilled, “ala plancha” seafood is scorched to grill-mark perfection, and one of the most popular marine choices throughout the country is trout.  Many restaurants serve this fish whole, head-on and eyes staring.  But it’s all part of the fun and exploration.  The meat is sweet and in better establishments—even in the mountain markets of Otavalo—you can taste the sea. 

Yellow Tomato Juice

With a vibrant hue like the sun, yellow tomato juice is tangy like orange juice but sweet like cherries—all blended together in one glass.  The result is my favorite Ecuadorian drink.  Forget about health benefits such as antioxidants and cancer fighting punch, yellow tomato juice is better than coffee in the morning.  You’re practically drinking in the morning sunlight.

With  nine months left in South America, I'm excited to see what ends up on my fork!  For more culinary discoveries, visit Melissa Ruttanai and Neil Friedman at World Winder for travel travel tips and pictures.

The Best of Porto in one day

The best of Porto in one day

Porto is one of the cities in Portugal which receives a higher volume of low cost flights. Located in the Atlantic Ocean, aside the Douro River, this city is –after Lisboa- one of the major tourist centers of Portugal. It also represents the largest productive hub of the country.

Porto offers a wide range of beautiful views with a unique architecture that combines colorful and picturesque old houses with modern buildings. Weather is pleasant during summer due to the proximity to the Ocean and sunny days.

My one-day trip to Porto started by defining my transportation means. I stayed at a friend’s house in Foz de Douro; a residential neighborhood located a couple of kilometers to the west of downtown, on the Douro River. Although Porto has advanced services of metro and buses- at really convenient prices-, it was a lovely sunny day of September; therefore I opted for renting a bike.

I rent the bike at Ciclo-Foz, a store I found on internet which asks for a notification via email in advance in order to have ready the vehicle. They also provide motor-bike rent.  My bike cost 8 Euros for 1 day ride, where I was required to return the bike before 8.00pm. If you are looking to rent a bike, always remember to carry your ID, and if you are student, take your student card that will benefit you with many discounts.

On my way through the coast side I visited the Forte de Sao Joao Baptista da Foz, a port with smaller boats and the stunning Arrabida Bridge. My first stop was the San Francisco Church, which has lovely views. The ticket cost 3,5€ and includes a visit to the museum and adjacent catacombs. Photo-shooting is not allowed inside the church, but its detailed carvings in wood and painted with gold are a must-see.

A tourism office is located just in front of San Francisco, where you can pick up free maps with detailed descriptions of the city. You can also buy a Porto-Pass, which could be worthwhile if your do not have a student card or either if you are planning to visit lot of museums. Maybe a good investment could be a transport-pass in order to move free around the city…

For further tips and advice of Porto you can follow my trip on our travel blog. I hope this article was useful because I am trying to be as brief as possible. Your feedback is always welcomed!