Cartagena is definitely a destination to which I will return one day. It is an amazing city, diverse in its charm, in its history, architecture, colors, vibrancy and especially its people. 

From the Spanish colonial architecture restored or left to crumble to the decades-old local restaurants mixed in with hip new ones as well as shops and boutique hotels within the weathered walls of Old Town to the modern high rise hotels, congested traffic, shiny new shopping malls and beachside shack cafes outside the walls, Cartagena has something really special for everyone.

There are so many reasons to visit Cartagena. Let me just name a few of my favorites and explain each one in which I will use at least an example (one of a plethora to see) of each category ::

1. Old World Charm

The Old Walled town of Cartagena is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which holds so many amazing structures and views that it is indescribable in words. In order to truly appreciate the wonder that is Cartagena you must visit and see this area of Colombia for yourself.

Plaza de San Diego

One of the many, many areas that are beautiful examples of the old world charm of Cartagena is Plaza de San Diego. Filled with churches, restaurants, bars, music and excitement on a daily basis this is only just one perfect example of what makes Cartagena so special.

You will find local artisans in the square at night, music of all kinds and generations all day and night, restaurants filled with locals and tourists throughout, bars filled with lively entertainment and colors… I can go on and on. But what it boils down to is that Cartagena is filled with color, fun, excitement and everything that makes coming to Colombia more than worth it. Old world charm in all of its glory. This is Cartagena.

2. History

Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

Castillo San Felipe de Barajas is only one example of the amazing history held in Cartagena. This colonial-era castle is the greatest Spanish fortress in the Americas, one that could never be breached. It took nearly a century to build but it certainly did what it was designed to do :: keep the enemies out. The most famous attack on Cartagena was called the Battle of Cartagena de Indias and gives great insight as to how strong this fortress is.

The history of course is what makes Castillo San Felipe de Barajas so incredible but there is another reason to visit Cartagena. If you can make the strenuous climb up the hill to the castle you will be richly rewarded by the most amazing views of Cartagena you can get anywhere in the city.

UNESCO’s World Heritage site Castillo San Felipede Barajas is one of so many reasons Cartagena is such a rewarding destination to visit.

Tip :: be prepared – it is HOT up there so be sure to bring water up with you on your climb!

Location :: Cra. 17, Cartagena, Provincia de Cartagena
Hours :: 8am to 6pm
Entrance :: $25,000 COP (about $8) for adults, $10,500 COP (about $3 US) for kids ages 6 to 13

3. New Life

Modern times have over the years taken Colombia into a forward direction and Cartagena is one of the leading cities to be most successful in this effort. Where its rich history is still prevalent everywhere you turn, the new Cartagena has been built to provide a stark and shocking contrast.

Bocagrande

The neighboring district to Old Town, Bocagrande, resembles Miami with its long strip of colorful cabana covered beachfront and shimmering new architecture. Cartagena has a truly dichotomous skyline.

As we walked from the old part of town to the new Plaza Bocagrande, a modern mall on that strip of beachfront, was a much-needed respite for us to get out of the heat. It certainly seemed like much longer than a 30-minute walk! Plaza Bocagrande has some good food options and shopping but certainly not my first choice of where to spend time the majority of time in Cartagena. Since the air conditioning did feel good for a rest before heading back we did find a place with a large flat screen that showed a good futbol game. So Roydio enjoyed that while I strolled around and found some ice cream at Crepes & Waffles. So good.

Location :: Cra. 1 ##12-118, Cartagena
Phone :: +57 5 6436509
Website :: http://www.plazabocagrande.com

4. Coffee (duh)

Cafe del Mural

We did some reading about how to have a fun Colombian coffee experience in Cartagena and found this eclectic cafe. We stopped by Cafe del Mural one day and it was not open yet, and another day it was too late because they were already closed. But when we finally arrived during open hours without a long line of people at the door we stepped in to find it to resemble more of a laboratory than anything else. Looking around you we found all kinds of old equipment, relics really, that were really interesting. We didn’t actually partake in the entire experience because we arrived late in the day.

It was interesting to find that in Colombia the popular hours for coffee are at 3pm and 7pm :: this explains the unusual (for us) hours of operation here. And you will pay more here than the typical Colombian cafe but it was a very fun and eclectic place.

Location :: CRA 9a (Callé san juan) no 25-60
Hours :: 3pm to 8pm
Phone :: +57 5 6472912
Social Medial : Cafe del Mural Facebook page

5. Ambiance

Getsemani

IMHO Getsemani, located within the Old Walls, is the perfect location to stay in Cartagena with its wonderful old world ambiance. It is walking distance to everything and I really loved the funky vibe of this emerging neighborhood full of artists, poets and writers. I loved the amazing street art and graffiti that covered nearly every brick and concrete wall. 

6. Vibrancy

During the daytime you can see kids play soccer in the street while you stroll through a plethora of vibrant streets filled to the rim with every bright color imaginable. But the area really comes alive at night as bands, dancers and performers come out in this eclectic hotspot. Music fills the air every night in Cartagena. And joy just oozes from each neighborhood you stroll along. Oh, and the street food. Lots of street food.

7. Colors

Colors of Cartagena

Beautiful colors everywhere you go :: umbrellas, flags, graffiti, murals, OMG such beautiful colorful displays of talent everywhere you walk. Seriously, you will find it difficult to stroll along without snapping away on your camera (or iPhoneX as I did) because every nook and cranny will get your attention, I promise you!

8. Sunsets

Oh the sunsets in Cartagena… they are absolutely spectacular. There are several places to plant yourself for this experience. Allow yourself time to get there in plenty of time and take your time as you make memories

Cafe del Mar

For an unobstructed view of the sunset over the ocean be sure to get there early. I would estimate at least an hour or more before sunset. Although it’s a touristy thing to do you won’t be disappointed and that’s why I recommend it. Grab a table right up against the wall and have dinner and/or drinks. Just don’t plan on leaving for a while because you will enjoy this experience more than I can tell you.

Santa Isabel Food Trucks

For a more casual atmosphere be sure to visit Santa Isabel Food Trucks. You will find a wonderful ambiance, lots of chairs to relax in with a wonderful view of the water and the Cartagena skyline.

I recommend you dine at sunset here on the waterfront because the food is wonderful. You have your choice of several trucks but each is unique and very tasty. For us we had the perfect evening weather, enjoyed the lighted atmosphere and the sunset :: Oh! Em! Gee! Don’t miss this!

9. Lights

The lights at night in Old Town as well as Playa de Bocagrande (new town) are equally as beautiful. It just so happens that Bocagrande dominates the skyline of Cartagena and make the picture-perfect postcard memories. And since it is the modern part of town outside the walls you will find even more tourists. So you can count on the beach always being crowded.

The high-rise apartments and hotels make up this skyline and will provide some pretty great views no matter where you are. Stunning!

Location :: Cra. 1 #1A-23, Cartagena

10. Atmosphere

It feels like it’s always a party in Cartagena! No matter if it’s day or night, you will experience an atmosphere like nowhere else in the world. There will be a little wiggle in your walk as you stroll the beautiful, colorful streets of Cartagena.

At night the city comes alive like no other city! Bright lights, music and excitement are all synonyms of Cartagena at night. And when you are there you become one with the city and its people. The atmosphere is truly infectious.

Chiva tours

Although we did not join in on the fun on these brightly painted, wooden-framed buses they are hard to miss and it was really fun watching them go by. Once the most popular form of transportation in rural areas of Colombia Chiva buses are now used only for tours, during the daytime they will guide you through some of Cartagena’s best attractions. But at night this colorful party bus gets wild, complete with pulsing lights and honking horns to dance beats that blare out into the streets from loudspeakers. You’ll pay about $12 per person to join in on the fun. Several companies offer the chiva tours.

Location :: Torre del Reloj Av. Venezuela, Cartagena

Use the form below to find activities while in Cartagena ::

TIP :: While Colombian pesos will be welcomed by cab drivers, street vendors and some smaller shops and restaurants, credit cards are accepted (unlike in other parts of Colombia) just about everywhere in Cartagena.

And one more thing I want to bring your attention to ::

Bed and Breakfast

We stayed at Les Lezards in Getsemani and although we didn’t experience any other lodging in Cartagena I can’t imagine you’ll find one more amazing than this. We stayed in the La Mer room which included a cozy bedroom, bathroom, living room and kitchen.

Owner, Marcus, and his entire staff is very friendly and accommodating. Everything is walking distance, you’re in the middle of all the fun but just far enough away from the noise so you can rest. And a wonderful homemade breakfast is included in your stay.

Location :: Calle De Las Chancletas #10B-39 Getsemani, Cartagena
Phone :: (786) 224-1982
Social Media :: Les Lezards Facebook page

Book Les Lezards by clicking on this link. I Promise You :: You will NOT be disappointed!

Oh, and ONE MORE THING I thought you might enjoy :: check out this video that Will Smith made in Cartagena :: I think he agrees with me that this city is one you will want to return to again and again and again!

Read More ::

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10 of My Very Favorite Things in Bogota

All of these amazing traits of Cartagena are just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak, of all of the compelling reasons that put Cartagena on the top of my list of places to which I will definitely return. And I’m sure you will more than agree when you visit this incredible city for yourself.

The post Cartagena :: 10 Wonderful Reasons to Visit appeared first on Where in the World is Louise?.

Bogota is definitely a city of contrast. For example check out the colonial architecture and modern buildings. There is a vast divide between rich and poor. And this cosmopolitan city seems stuck in the past. 99% of the population speaks Spanish yet it is a rich tourist destination. Bogota also has a diverse mix of hometown foodie stalls and modern day malls.

Many roads are closed to cars on Sundays from 7am to 2pm and are reserved for bicycles. And it seems everyone here takes advantage of this traffic-free day.

And don’t expect to find people to speak anything but Spanish on the streets of this dichotomous city. The culture in Bogota is prominent everywhere you go. Tell-tale signs of the Spanish colonization and architecture abound.

Now that I’ve given you an introduction to this fabulous city, let me tell you my personal 10 favorite things about Bogota ::

10. THE FOOD + DRINKS

One of the things I loved about Bogota is the food and drinks. Although I loved the food in Armenia and Medellin I would have to rate Bogota above the others if not for anything else but the overwhelming choices you have in this big city.

A. Catacion Publica Let me start with the coffee. This is one place I have to recommend. My experience here was so good. Our barista, Andres, was the best. He was thoughtful, considerate, prompt and not overbearing. He went above and beyond to make sure we were happy and he knew everything there was to know about the coffee. Very conscientious young man and eager to please. Oh, and the coffee is pretty terrific as well!

I am not a coffee drinker so I didn’t expect to be partaking with Roydio and our friend Catalina who brought us here. When Roydio asked for sugar, Andres explained that they do not serve sugar with their coffee in Colombia. Or cream, for that matter. With over 560,000 coffee farms in this country you would think they serve coffee every way a customer would want it. Well, Colombians are very proud about the quality of coffee they serve and I guess to add anything to it would be an insult to its quality.

And another thing I found interesting is that the more popular time to drink coffee here isn’t in the morning. Try more like 3pm and 7pm. There is no emphasis on caffeine when it comes to coffee in Colombia.

Location :: Cl. 120a ##3A-47
Hours :: weekdays from 11am to 6pm and weekends to 7pm
Social Media :: Catacion Publica Facebook page

I also have to mention the juices. You can get any juice at any time and it is always freshly squeezed. My very favorite (and you may remember me mentioning it a few times before) is the limonada de cocos. Coconut lemonade. It is to die for! And I tried lots of other fruit juices as well. Whether in a restaurant or on the street OMG the fresh juice in Colombia is the BEST!

B. Crepes & Waffles I usually don’t go for chain restaurants especially when I’m in another country, but this one is so special and so good with an amazing concept and extensive menu that I just have to recommend it.

The idea for this Colombian chain restaurant was born in 1980 by a couple of CESA university students who had the vision to open a business in which they believed :: hiring only women who are “head of household.”

Trust me, it’s not just the concept that makes this restaurant so popular with lines out the door from open to close. The menu is absolutely amazing. Their original offerings included crepes, waffles and ice cream but has expanded to include many delicious and healthy dishes. But certainly their philosophy behind the food they serve is another big reason it’s grown in popularity.

Locations :: Colombia, Chili, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Spain
Website :: Crepes & Waffles
Social Media :: Crepes & Waffles Facebook page

C. OBLEAS I’ve mentioned eating on the streets of Colombia but there is one thing I wish I would have enjoyed more than just the one time. Everywhere and in every city you will find a colorful cart selling obleas. And Bogota is no different. The cart will contain a stack of super thin waffles and several jars of colorful sauces that they place between two waffles. You have your choice. I chose the milk caramel sauce. OMG it was so delicious! The waffles are so thin that it really doesn’t take much room in your tummy.

I had every intention of grabbing another before we left Colombia but that never happened. 🙁 Be sure to try one when you see one of those colorful carts on the street. And don’t miss out on having at least another during your time in Colombia! You’ll thank me, I promise!

D. Coctel del Mar We lifted our glasses in celebration of our friendship. And enjoyed the food here very much!

Just a walk around the corner and down the block from our friends Juan and Catalina’s home is this beautiful restaurant. Such a wonderful menu. But most of all we enjoyed the company of Catalina and her mama. What an awesome way to spend our last day in Bogota.

Location :: Cl. 69 #17-60
Phone :: +57 1 2173109
Hours :: Monday to Saturday 11am to 6pm, Saturday 12 noon to 10pm, Sunday 11am to 9pm
Website :: Coctel del Mar
Social Media :: Coctel del Mar Facebook page

E. Carulla One of the things I love doing when I travel the world is to visit a local grocery store. In Colombia this is one I really enjoyed.

I believe Carulla is a little more high end than the typical supermarket but it was walking distance to where we stayed in Bogota and we ended up having breakfast there a couple of mornings. The bakery is pretty extensive and always fresh. For the first time ever I tried the pan de yucca (yucca bread) and it was so delicious! Thank you, Catalina, for introducing us to it!

A little fun fact :: Carulla was the first retailer in Colombia to introduce a loyalty card and it currently has 250,000 members.

Location :: 206 locations throughout Colombia
Hours :: 7am to 10pm
Website :: Carulla
Social Media :: Carulla Facebook page

F. La Puerta Falsa I can’t be remiss in recommending an iconic restaurant with a one-page menu which is famous for their tamales. In fact, they have been serving them for 200 years. Best tamale I’ve every had. Anywhere.

Expect to stand in line and wait for at least half an hour (if you’re lucky) or longer. This two-story cafe is tiny and always packed. We had thought about going elsewhere but I’m so glad we waited. Trust me, patience is your friend at La Puerta Falsa as you will ultimately experience a piece of Bogota culinary history.

Location :: Cl. 11 #6-50, Bogota
Hours :: 6am to 9pm every day
Phone :: +57 1 2865091

9. IGLESIA SANTA BIBIANA

Our sweet friend Catalina took us to an adorable church in Bogota that is definitely worth a mention here. I know there are lots of iglesias (churches) in Bogota but this one is truly special. I hope you get a chance to visit.

Location :: Cl. 109, Bogotá, Colombia
Hours :: Tuesday to Saturday 7am to 6:30pm, Sunday 7:15am to 8pm, closed Monday
Entrance Fee :: FREE (donations are always welcome)
Phone :: +57 1 2134683
Social Media :: Iglesia Santa Bibiana Facebook page

8. VILLA DE LEYVA

Although this town is not in Bogota itself you would be remiss in not taking the opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a couple of days to relax. Villa de Leyva is home to some of Colombia’s best-preserved architecture with cobblestoned streets, white-washed buildings and terra cotta tile roofs.

In this little town you will just park your car and walk around. Immediately upon entering you will see why. In the center, Plaza Major spans 150,700 square feet and is one of the largest cobblestone squares in South America. What a gorgeous place. Not much to do here but relax and enjoy this sweet 16th-century environment.

Campanario de la Villa de Leyva is the place you want to stay. It is a beautiful colonial property including breakfast (8-10am daily) a shared lounge, fireplace, swimming pool (open 11am to 7pm) and a spa and wellness center.

Our room came with a wrap-around balcony with wonderful views of the city. I highly recommend this property.

Location :: Villa de Leyva is located about 100 miles northeast of Bogotá.
Phone :: +57 310 5500216
Website :: Villa de Leyva (translated to English)

7. CASA TERRACOTA

Within the city limits of Villa de Leyva you will find an amazing piece of clay architecture (artwork, really) that is unlike anything I’ve ever seen.

Location :: Casa Terracota is located about 1.2 miles west of Villa de Leyva, about a 10-minute drive or a 30-minute walk – Vereda Monquira, Villa de Leyva
Hours :: Daily 9am to 6pm
Entrance Fee :: $5 (in COP only)
Website :: Casa Terracota
Social Media :: Casa Terracota Facebook page

6. RAQUIRA

Located in Boyaca Department of Colombia, Raquira “village of the pans” is a cute little colorful town and sits at an altitude of 7000 ft above sea level directly on the Raquira River.

This truly adorable town is known for its terra cotta clay pottery and the artisans who make them. In fact it is known as the pottery capital of Colombia. When driving around the area you will find clay everywhere and it seems that the mountains here are all made of terra cotta.

Location :: 3.5 hrs drive north of Bogota
Social Media :: Raquira Facebook page

5. USAQUEN FLEA MARKET

I have to say that this is seriously the BEST flea market I’ve ever been to and I’ve been to many all over the world. The variety of products and quality craftsmanship and unique designs and absolutely delicious homemade food of all kinds all play into my five-star rating of this great market. When you visit Bogota make sure you spend your Sunday here.

While walking around this flea market you will be entertained with a background of vibrant music. This adorable couple were so happy to receive a few pesos from passersby. And I just had to include a video of this amazing violinist.

My opinion is that he belongs in a concert hall (don’t you agree?) but his love is to play for the locals on the street.

Location :: Usaquen Park, Calle 119 Con Carrera 6a
Hours :: Open Only on Sundays from 8am to 6pm
Entrance Fee :: FREE

4. MUSEO DE ORO

Museo de Oro (Museum of Gold) in Bogota is a truly impressive collection of 55,000 pieces through history, the life and thought of the different societies which lived in present-day Colombia before the Spanish conquest of the Americas.

Museo de Oro also happens to be one of the most visited attractions in Colombia with over 500,000 tourists every year. 

Location :: Cra. 6 ##15-88, Bogota
Hours :: Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sunday 10am to 5pm
Phone :: +57 1 3432222
Entrance Fee :: $4000 COP ($1.35 US) and FREE to Senior Citizens
Website :: Museo de Oro
Social Media :: Museo de Oro Facebook page

3. LA CANDELARIA WALKING TOUR

Your English-speaking tour guide will walk you through all the nooks and crannies that make La Candelaria so special. The colors and the graffiti make this area stand out. Begin the tour with a fruit and juice tasting at a local stand, walk through the town and learn all about it and end with a demonstration and tasting of the famous Colombian coffee.

This 2-hour tour is free but make sure you make a reservation ahead of time to reserve your spot. You do not want to miss this beautiful part of Bogota. After the tour you will want to check out some of the cute shops and restaurants (there are many) and get your camera ready to get some amazing footage!

Location :: La Candelaria, Bogota
Hours :: 10am to 5pm
Cost :: FREE (pay what you think your guide is worth) – in English
Website :: Freetour Bogota

2. TELEFERICO UP TO MONSERRATE

Rather than take the funicular up the mountain we decided on the teleferico instead. It was a much quicker ride up. Steep as all get out, though, so be prepared! But oh the amazing views!

Taking this ride up the mountain was pretty amazing. But when we finally got to the top the views were magnificent!

Plan to spend time up there, there is so much to see. Two restaurants, the church, shopping, snacks, lots of paths and arches and flowers and statues… it is pretty incredible.

We were even blessed to witness a church service up there. Wow. What a beautiful place. And don’t forget your camera because you will take photos that you’ll talk about for years to come.

Location :: Carrera 2 Este No. 21-48 Paseo Bolívar
Hours :: 7:30am to 8pm
Entrance Fee :: $27,500 COP ($8.25 US), Senior Citizens $22,000 COP ($6.75 US)
Website :: Cerro de Monserrate
Social Media :: Cerro de Monserrat Facebook page

1. ZIPAQUIRA SALT CATHEDRAL

Zipaquira is the salt mining capital of Colombia. The story of the Salt Cathedral begins in the 1930s. Miners carved out a makeshift chapel in the mine tunnel. There, they prayed for their safety each day before starting work.

One of the most spectacular sites I’ve seen in my lifetime is the Catedral de la Sal Zipaquira. What an amazing structure. To take the walking tour you’ll need at least two hours and you will walk about a mile while inside, if not more, if you’re anything like me and want to go back and capture some beautiful images at your leisure.

There were so many amazing facets to this place. Just take a look at some of the photos I took and I’ll let you decide for yourself.

While I was video taping one of the exhibits someone started singing in one of the chambers and you could hear it clearly throughout the entire cathedral. It was definitely a moment that gave me chills.

Not only did we take the tour inside the cathedral but we also took the mining tour (extra fee). It was so interesting to put on hardhats and walk into and through this giant shaft.

Tips :: 1. They do not give this tour in English, only in Spanish. 2. Also, there is a part of this tour that you will be walking in the pitch black, holding on to the person in front of you. Only after that section can you turn on your headlamp and actually see the inside.

Your entrance ticket to the cathedral includes a shuttle to the town.

It is also nice to walk the town of Zipaquira if you have some time.

Location :: Parque De La Sal, Zipaquirá
Hours :: 9am to 6pm, free tours are given in Spanish and English, every hour on the hour
Entrance Fee :: $58,000 COP ($18 US), with mine tour $89,000 ($28 US)
Website :: Catedral de Sal Zipaquira
Social Media :: Catedral de Sal de Zipaquira Facebook page

Read More ::

Medellin :: 10 Do’s and Don’ts You Must Know

Bahamas :: 5 of My Favorite Things

Lisbon :: 95 Images to Inspire You to Go

To sum up my time in Bogota and its surrounding areas I have to say that it held a lot of inspiration for me. Besides the difficulty breathing due to the high altitude nothing stopped us as we experienced as many of Bogota attractions as possible. From the simple things to the absolutely unbelievable Bogota proved to be amazing. Many thanks to our friends Juan and Catalina for hosting us in the the city! We love you guys!

The post 10 of My Very Favorite Things In Bogota appeared first on Where in the World is Louise?.

Let me repeat :: This will NOT be your typical travel blog post about Colombia but more about my adventures. As a matter of fact it is more something you may read in a book or something.  Don’t encourage me about that though HA!

For this portion of our adventures in Colombia Roydio planned what was supposed to be a romantic time at the beach. So far we had pretty much flown from one place to the other and we kinda missed driving as we do in so many of our other travel adventures. So we rented a car in Cartagena (I’ll cover our time in this magnificent place in a later post in this series).

We set out to what we had read was an undiscovered gem of a coastal location south of Cartagena, “a peaceful oasis that cultivates the idea of sustainable travel.” And we were really looking forward to it getting away from the hustle and bustle.

The beginning of our drive was a breeze. The sky was a little overcast but perfect for driving because it wasn’t too hot. The landscape was amazing. Have I told you how much I love the landscape of Colombia? We were so happy we chose to drive this portion of our trip.

And then the rain came.

It didn’t just come, it literally attacked us. The wind and rain pelted our windshield and it became difficult to see. And wouldn’t you know it Roydio had to use the facilities right when it started. It seemed like hours before it let up. And he patiently waited until the rain let up a bit before getting back in the car.

We got back on the road and after driving a few miles the rain finally stopped. And we could see in the far distance that the clouds were giving way to blue skies. When we got off the main highway we took the turn off and proceeded on our leisurely drive to the beautiful Colombia beaches we’d heard so much about. This is where our adventures continued.

So most of the roads off the beaten path in Colombia are made of dirt and rocks. We had experienced that in Armenia and again in Medellin but because we weren’t doing the driving I didn’t take much notice of it. We took it slow and tried to enjoy the ride.

We arrived in a small town called San Onofre. We took a turn where the road split. And we noticed that there were no cars on this road, only a motorcycle or two. (I may or may not have mentioned that I am married to Indiana Jones #2 but I have to keep it real) So Roydio went into “Colombia adventures mode,” driving slowly because the rain left huge holes in the muddy road that were difficult to navigate. Now see at this point my anxiety reared its ugly head. I couldn’t help thinking that now would NOT be a good time for a flat tire. Not that there would ever be a good time mind you. But the rocks on the road were really big and we were in a rental car with nary a soul in sight. Eek!

After what seemed like hours we finally saw life on this road, a motorcyclist. It gave us hope that we were nearing our destination. Then we saw another motorcycle. But still not a single car. Ours was the only car. When we finally arrived in what appeared to be a small town we slowly made our way down the road over bumps and into ditches.

People stopped to stare at us as we bumbled by. At the end of the road a barefoot man with a big smile came over to our car and directed us into a “parking lot” which was just a plot of grass under a tree, after which he insisted on carrying our two suitcases about 200 yards down the street and around the corner until we reached a beach with white sand. We walked about 100 yards….

…and there it was :: Dos Aguas Lodge.

This beautiful undiscovered paradise on a pristine white sand beach. This “peaceful oasis that cultivates the idea of sustainable travel” was indeed beautiful, indeed undiscovered and I can see why!

And it was indeed sustainable. No potable or hot water, mosquito nets over the beds and to say it was hot is an understatement. The ceiling fan didn’t do much more than move the hot air around. The mattress was hard (I love a hard mattress but this was H A R D). There was a hammock hanging in our room and a night stand by the bed.

The owner and staff were super friendly and actually spoke English so that was really nice, especially in Colombia where very few do. Once we checked in and dropped our bags off in our room we came out to have lunch in the little hut of a restaurant on the beach next door. After the adventure we had getting there we were really hungry!

After lunch we grabbed an available chair and took a nice long rest.

Well actually that is pretty much where I stayed, on the beach, for the next two days in Rincon del Mar. Roydio did get into the water but I was content to just lay out in the sun and relax after the craziness that had ensued getting here.

If you are a backpacker, used to roughing it and looking for a beautiful place to relax for a few days you will enjoy this paradise and beautiful beach with clear water in front and amazing mangroves in back. And they do serve a good breakfast, too.

If you are not used to carrying a pack on your back and getting around on a motorcycle I’d say you might want to get there by boat. That’s really what we should have done.

I don’t consider myself a diva but I’ve gotta keep it real. I really didn’t sleep much because the bed was uncomfortably hard and it was so hot all during the night. I got up several times to wet a towel for my face to get a little relief. And I got bit by mosquitos and bugs. A lot. In spite of the net. Ugh. And there was a couple with a baby in the next room who kept crying (why do people bring babies to a place like this?). It’s really a shame because it is such a beautiful place.

I really should have joined in on the night boat tour to see the glowing plankton (that is my one regret) but I really was content to just spend all day sitting in a beach chair or in a hammock relaxing and drinking my limonada de cocos. That part was so great. And I may have taken a few naps out there as well…

Then came the time for us to leave and make the trek back to the main road from Rincon del Mar. If it was bad coming in believe it or not it was worse going out. It had rained again the night before.

The new rain made the roads even worse (if that was even possible to imagine). OMG I tried not to think too much but I definitely had several bouts of anxiety as we bumbled our way out of there.

I kept telling Roydio not to stop because if there’s one thing I know :: you never stop on a muddy road for fear of getting stuck.

Well, sure enough :: it happened! We got stuck in the mud and our wheels just kept spinning and there was no way out.

Out of nowhere appeared a man in the road in front of us who walked over and began trying to push our car out of the mud. After several attempts and to no avail he signaled for us to wait. When he returned he had a shovel in his hand and began digging out the mud from underneath our tire. The ditch we had gotten into was so big it seemed to just get worse.

Then again out of nowhere another guy on a motorcycle appeared. Between the two of them and a shovel and their brute strength lifting up the left side of our car as we revved our engine several more times, they were able to get us free. So very thankful, we gave them 20,000 COP for their help. When we were on our way again we started thinking. Where did they come from? And where in the world did they get a shovel? I looked back and they were gone. Hmmmm, do you believe in angels?

Then as we slowly made our way much further down the road and just as we thought we were in the clear we got stuck a second time. There was a truck coming our way (a truck? on this crazy road?) and we thought maybe he would offer to help us as well. Yea, no. The driver stopped, got out of his truck and just stood at the side of the road and watched us struggle. It was obvious that he couldn’t get through until we moved so I guess he chose to use this time to take a little break. Indiana Jones #2 went into his “Colombia adventures mode” again and after about 10 minutes of rocking the car back and forth, back and forth, he finally got us out and we were again on our way. The Lord was with us for sure on this trek!

Now it was time for us to make it to the second destination on the beach :: the Playa Manglares resort in Isla Baru. As we were making our way there I told Roydio there was no way I was going to go through that again and if the next place had the same kind of roads we should just keep driving and find something else. Well, lucky for us, Playa Manglares was right off a good road and the place was wonderful.

We had air conditioning and even though there was no hot water it was warm and comfortable enough to take great showers. Whew! And no mosquitos. Yay!

At the Playa Manglares resort they serve you breakfast, lunch and dinner because there is not really anywhere you can walk to for meals. It’s located on another beautiful beach (be sure to wear water shoes, though). The owner and her family are lovely as are the rest of the staff. And it is so peaceful and beautiful.

At dinner the first night we met a lovely couple from London with whom we decided to take a boat tour to the Rosario Islands. The following day we had perfect weather. No rain clouds anywhere in sight. It was a truly lovely day with wonderful company.

Our tour guides couldn’t have been older than 17 but they were adorable. The boys spoke only Spanish so this gave us a good opportunity for us to learn more! We went through mangroves and through a group of islands, one where the boys lived. He even pointed out his madre and she waved as we went by.

We arrived at Bendita Beach where we enjoyed a few hours in the sand and water. And on our way back we stopped for lunch on one of the islands.

Interesting Fact :: Several of the Rosario Islands are available for rent. For example, Isla Matamba can be rented for approximately $1300 per night and sleeps 16 (divided by 8 couples that only comes to $162 per night! For an entire island to yourselves!). Available on the island is a restaurant (3 meals are included), bar, jacuzzi, mini golf course, tennis court and various water sport activities.

Here are some more pics of our time on the water ::

Click here to see for yourself what you can do in Cartagena and the Rosario Islands! You won’t regret going. But just take a boat there. Trust me. Just do it.

The two days we spent in the Playa Manglares resort and the Rosario Islands were amazing but it went by much too quickly. If you drive a little further down the road in Isla Baru there are more touristy resort options such as Playa Blanca but I’m really glad we opted for a quieter location.

So there you have it :: our adventures to the beaches in Colombia. Although we would have done things differently had we realized what we were in for, it makes for a great story. And the beaches really were gorgeous.

What do you think of our Colombia adventures to its beautiful beaches? Would you have gone for the adventure or would you have chosen the easier way? HA! Either way I think you would enjoy it there.

TIP :: Do your research, people! You can’t always believe everything you read so make sure you read between the lines to assure that you will have the best experience possible!

Read More ::

Bangkok :: How to See it in 3 Days

Medellin :: 10 Do’s and Don’ts You Must Know

Top 5 Beaches in Curacao :: My Picks

Although this post was more of an adventure article rather than an actual travel post I hope I’ve given you enough reason to explore the beaches of Colombia. Should I be blessed with the opportunity to return I’d love to explore the other islands and perhaps even stay a few days in Rosario. Definitely on my bucket list would be to experience the bioluminescent plankton tour on Isla Grande. I could really kick myself for not going when I had the opportunity! But we’ll just have to come back!!

I do hope you enjoyed this post on my Colombia adventures and that one day you will come out to create your own!

The post Colombia Adventures :: NOT a Typical Travel Post appeared first on Where in the World is Louise?.

On our journey through Colombia we flew from Armenia to Medellin. 

We were assured that in recent years Medellin has been transformed to a safe place to travel. Of course we are always aware of the dangers of walking the streets at night so that is something we generally avoid no matter where we go. This city was no different. But honestly we never felt unsafe anywhere we went throughout Colombia.

DO … visit La Comuna 13

On our first full day in Medellin, a city once heartbreakingly lost to violence with a most tumultuous history, notorious for the drug and gang wars that once dominated the area, we really wanted to visit La Comuna Trese (13) an over-populated and low socio-economic zone that crawls up along the west hills of the city with thousands of brick and cement homes stacked close to one another which I had read had made an amazing transformation since the days of Pablo Escobar.

I am so thrilled to have taken the time to visit because this is a city with a story of meaningful change, credited to its residents and their resiliency to reinvent itself, transforming the neighborhood which was once a pivotal center for paramilitary, guerrilla and gang activity and a location ideal for crime into a place of optimism that’s livable, vibrant and growing. La Comuna 13 is an amazing place and one I fell in love with.

Since its transformation residents are no longer afraid to leave their homes and quality of life has changed for the good. As we walked through the narrow roadways, kids were playing soccer in the streets, vendors were selling fruit and empanadas and we laughed with friendly shopkeepers who let us sample their signature green mango ice cream topped with lime and salt. It felt safe, comfortable, friendly.

The one thing that is very evident as we walk along the streets is the graffiti. This is what La Comuna 13 is known for :: artistic scenes on its walls. As I came to find out it was art that saved the city, used as a vehicle for creative and political expression. The walls became a canvas to tell its history, beautifying the area and bringing optimism and peace. And there is a story to every artist’s work. I recommend taking a tour so that you can hear the stories for yourself and experience what makes this place so special.

Enjoy the photos I took of some the amazing walls in La Comuna 13. Hopefully it will compel you pay it a visit one day.

DON’T … believe all the hype

Nowhere in our travels to Colombia did we ever feel unsafe. Everywhere we walked we found friendly people and safe atmospheres. Please don’t believe all the hype about dangerous Colombia. Be mindful wherever you go but don’t let it stop you from enjoying your travels!

DO … go see Botero Plaza

A well-known artist born in Medellin is Fernando Botero Angulo. (As a side note, the culture of Latin Americans is to use first the father’s last name and second the mother’s last name) His signature style called Boterismo (no need to describe what it is, just take a look at my photos) makes him the most recognized artist from Latin America and self-titled “the most Colombian of Colombian artists.” In 1958 he won 1st prize at the Salon de Artistas Colombianos and has attained international recognition for his paintings, drawings and sculptures (some of his pieces have sold in the millions of dollars) with exhibitions all over the world. And in 2012 he received the International Sculpture Center’s Lifetime Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award.

His donation of 23 bronze sculptures for the front of the Museum of Antioquia in Medellin became known as the Botero Plaza which is where all of my photos were taken.

DON’T … miss going to the museum

One thing I wish we would have done is to go into the Museo de Antioquia which is rated as one of the best museums in Medellin and housed in the previous Municipal Palace. It was right there under my nose and I just had a lapse in judgment. It is recommended that you start on the third floor and work your way down.

Louise didn’t go to the Museo de Antioquia. Don’t be like Louise.

DO … eat at Mercado Del Rio

As we travel around the world one of my favorite things to do is visit a mercado. Basically the word mercado means “market” but that definition has been expanded to include fine eateries, like a food court but much more elegant and trendy, and with many amazing food restaurants to choose from. Some do include the sales of produce and seafood and meat as well. While in Medellin we went to Mercado Del Rio and it was beautiful!

Here they serve everything from alcoholic beverages to appetizers to main courses and desserts… and the atmosphere is awesome! They even have large screen TV’s throughout playing the ever popular futbol (soccer). Fabulous! This mercado did not disappoint, for sure.

I would definitely recommend this mercado. But don’t let that stop you from finding others! This was our final night with family and friends – it was a great way to end our time together.

DON’T … forget to bring all your friends!

Mercado del Rio is a great place to hang out with your friends! The atmosphere really lends itself to fun in every sense of the word. Food, friends and fun all go together so have yourselves a great time!

DO … visit Marinilla

We had a wonderful tour guide to drive us out to a famous landmark in Guatape but on our way we had to stop in this yet another adorable Colombian town with yet another cute plaza.

In the municipality of Marinilla we visited the Museo del Cristo y las Cruces where you will find more than 2700 crosses of different styles, sizes, materials and countries of origin on display. The collection was donated in 2005 by Roberto Hoyos Castaño who collected the pieces for more than 35 years from his travels around the world.

DON’T … miss stopping for a cup of cafe

Marinella is a great little town to stop for … what else? COFFEE! Every city in Colombia is actually a great place because after all you are in Coffee Country! Try a cup at 9Bares Tienda de Cafe. It’s highly rated on TA!

DO … climb La Piedra del Penol

Our plans in Medellin included several adventures that we were very excited to participate in…. one of them being to climb La Piedra del Penol. This is a famous landmark also called The Rock of Guatape. At its highest point it is 7005 feet above sea level and is composed of quartz, feldspar and mica. 

At the base you will find food and market stalls. As you climb there are several “resting” points (at least that’s what I used them for HA!) and halfway up is a shrine to the Virgin Mary.

It was an extremely hot and humid day but we did it! We climbed a whopping 745 steep steps to the very top! WHEW!

When we got there there we found a three-story viewpoint tower, a souvenir shop (I bought a “rock” for my collection – how original, right?), a bar and there are lots of chairs and tables where you can enjoy a little refreshment before making your way down.

If you ever find yourself in this area of Colombia this is an absolute must do!

DON’T … miss out on the cerveza michelada con mango

It is tradition to celebrate your climb by having a cerveza michelada con mango, the local beer, which they serve with salt and lime on the rim of the glass. Although I’m not a beer drinker I did have a sip of Roydio’s to celebrate making the trek and then I ordered my fave drink in Colombia :: limonada de cocos (coconut lemonade). OMG it is FABulous! We were both pretty proud of ourselves having made it on this hot and very humid day and these cold drinks were just the ticket!

DO … visit Guatape 

We made our way to Guatape where we stopped again to enjoy another beautifully colorful town.

When you get to the city of Guatape you will find a square. Of course. Like every other town in Colombia. And oh the beautiful Colombian colors were everywhere! I loved it!

And you’ll find great views of La Piedra del Penol on the way as well!

DON’T … miss taking a boat tour!

The building of the dam (see more info below) created a truly picturesque place. We were smart and took a boat tour on the reservoir. And I must say it was a perfect day to be on the water! Don’t miss your chance to take this wonderful tour!

DO … enjoy Viejo El Penol

Since we were in the town of El Penol, or what we thought was El Penol, we had to look around and check it out…

We found out that this is just a replica of the original town which was founded on June 20, 1714 but had to be relocated in 1978 because of a flood and they had to construct a hydroelectric dam which created the Guatape reservoir as we know it today.

If you want to get a taste of how the old town of El Peñol might have been, you can stop at Viejo Peñol, featuring a reconstructed plaza and church. There are souvenir shops and a couple places to grab coffee, ice cream, or something to eat.

DON’T … forget to bring your good camera

Make sure you find your way to the outside behind the shops and you will find THE BEST views of the city! OMG you will not believe how photographic this town is! If you’re looking to take some Instagram-worthy pics, this is definitely the place to go!

DO … take Cable car up to Parque Arvi

It seems that everywhere we went in Colombia we ended up on top of a mountain. I had many opportunities to overcome my fear of heights HA! But I must say that the views are tremendous and it was worth every trek UP!

It was getting late in the day and even though it was closing soon we decided to take the cable car up to Parque Arvi which is both an ecological nature preserve and pre-Hispanic archeological site on the eastern slopes of Aburrá Valley in the northeast area of Medellín.

The cost to take the cable car from the metro to Santo Domingo was included in the metro ticket but there we paid 4600 COP ($1.50US) per person for a 10-minute ride up to the park which is a very large, 4352 acres in fact, ecological park deep in the woods on top of the eastern mountains of Medellin where you can hike all around. It was a pretty amazing ride over the tall pine and eucalyptus trees in this forest.

When we got to the park entrance we had a relaxing time exploring the beautiful surroundings. There are some displays with information about Parque Arvi there and some shops and a restaurant as well as some comfortable seating scattered all around.

We ordered some refreshments at the cafe and just enjoyed our surroundings and relaxed for a while before heading down to Santo Domingo.

I highly recommend a trip up in the cable car in Medellin to Parque Arvi. Whether or not you hike the trails in the park or not – trust me you will be rewarded with some of the best views of the city! And if you’re able, time it so that you get the sunset on your way down!

DON’T … expect for anyone to speak English

As a matter of fact, everywhere you travel in Colombia you will be hard-pressed to find English-speaking people. You will be able to find some tour guides that will speak English but not here in Parque Arvi. And as a general rule the local people do not speak English at all.

DO … stop in Santo Domingo

Since it’s on the way down from Parque Arvi Santo Domingo is a great place to stop, especially if you’re looking for some local interaction and community engagement in your travels. Once known to be one of the most violent neighborhoods in Comuna Popular it has turned over a new leaf in its progressing atmosphere and urban improvement initiatives. 

We enjoyed walking the streets of Santo Domingo. Again, we felt completely safe here. And it was really nice to see how the locals live.

DON’T … be afraid to eat on the streets

We had absolutely no worries about eating on the streets anywhere in Colombia. The food is yummy and safe to eat! Here in Santo Domingo you can eat on the streets for much cheaper than in the city. We ordered a local plato (plate) of pollo (chicken) with all the trimmings for a mere 5000 COP ($1.75 US). It was yummy and more than enough for the two of us :: we even had some leftovers to feed a local street dog.

DO … splurge at San Carbon Restaurant

Before leaving Medellin we chose on our final night to enjoy dinner at a nice restaurant located right up the street and walking distance from our hotel. Known for their steaks, the food was delicious, the atmosphere indeed was “fancy” and there was live jazz music which we also really enjoyed. It was a great way for us to end our amazing time in Medellin.

DON’T … expect to pay local prices

Prices at San Carbon are higher than the average restaurant in Medellin, or for Colombia in general, but if you’re looking to have a nice dinner this is the place to go. Excellent food and atmosphere!

Read More ::

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Lisbon Portugal :: 95 Images to Inspire You to Go

Medellin was one of the biggest surprises on my travels to Colombia. Not only was I intimidated by all the hype about it not being a safe place to travel but this amazing city blew me away and made me a believer in all things good about in the world.

If there is one thing that I hope you gleaned from this post is that you can safely and happily travel to this city and have the most amazing time of your life here. I do hope you will follow my lead and come support all the wonderful things Medellin has been doing and continues doing to transform a bad story into a good one. Because that is exactly what is happening in this place. How blessed I feel for having had the opportunity to experience it.

The post Medellin :: 10 Do’s and Don’ts You Must Know appeared first on Where in the World is Louise?.

“Why would you go to Armenia of all places in Colombia?” you might ask. Let me preface my answer by saying that neither Roydio nor I speak much Spanish (save for the few words and phrases we’ve learned over the years living in California) and yet we found ourselves in Colombia for the very first time, a country where very few people speak or understand English. Our motivation for visiting was a young couple from Colombia whom we had met while vacationing in China. We kept in touch over the years and had hoped to meet each other on the road again but our paths never crossed. So we decided to take matters into our own hands and visit them in their home country.

Our plan was to spend four weeks in Colombia exploring different parts of the country including a week in Bogota where our friends live, a week in Medellin, a week in Cartagena and then another week exploring the coast and Rosario Islands. But then we came upon the opportunity to spend our first week in Colombia with Roydio’s Spanish-speaking brother and his friends who happened to be traveling to Armenia during the time we were to be in Colombia. So although this particular city was not originally in our plans (not even on our radar, to be frank) we changed our itinerary to begin our Colombian journey there.

From what I was able to gather before our trip I found out that Armenia is the capital of Quindio department, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011 (you know by now how much I love visiting UNESCO sites!) and named the Coffee Culture Landscape of Colombia, being an integral part of the coffee triangle, and one of the main centers of the national economy largely due to, I would venture to guess, its coffee production).

We were so excited to visit Colombia for the first time and Armenia turned out to be the perfect place to start. Forgive me for taking so long to answer the original question. Of all the amazing qualities held by this city and the areas surrounding it, here are the Top Seven Things I recommend doing when visiting Armenia ::

Warning: You may be getting a Spanish lesson in this post so… be prepared!

#7. Spend time in downtown Armenia.

Being in the center of Colombia’s coffee triangle you will find local cafeterias (coffee shops) on every corner. The people are friendly and are happy to give you samples of the foods they sell. They genuinely want you to taste the goodness before you buy. 

And speaking of taking time, I’d also recommend you visit some of the surrounding towns such as Salento, Buena Vista and Cocora Valley, each of which I will be mentioning again later in this post.

#6. Be sure to eat bandeja paisa.

Bandeja paisa (local Armenian meal) includes cerdo (pork) and huevos (eggs), frijoles (beans – I absolutely LOVED the flavorful frijoles!), chorizo (sausage), and try the mazamorra (porridge made with corn, milk, sugar cane) which are distinctive dishes in Armenia. 

Patacones (plantains) grow abundantly in Quindio department so naturally they have found many ways to eat it. One dish is “Salentune Patacon” which is a smashed, thin fried layer covered with queso molido (ground cheese), carne molido (ground beef) and salsa de pina (pineapple sauce).

Arepa, a thick tortilla-type food made of ground maize (corn), is also popular and can be eaten plain (be sure to add table salt!) along with huevos (eggs) and/or cheese and sometimes comes filled with pollo desmenuzado (shredded chicken), carne asada (roasted beef) or pieces of chicharron (fried pork belly).

TIP :: When eating plain arepas be sure to add table salt (there’s a reason they put salt on the table) because the flavor can be quite bland.

At one of the local places we had the pollo a la parrilla y papas (barbecued chicken and potatoes) and although that may sound like a simple meal the only thing simple about how the Armenia’s serve it is the way it simply melts in your mouth (see what I did there?) with a wonderful local flavor! And then always served with patacones.

TIP :: When tipping at a Colombian restaurant some people tip anywhere from 1000 pesos (less than 30 US cents) to 2000 pesos (less than 75 cents US). Locals generally tip very little if at all. Tipping is not expected but always appreciated.

I also recommend stopping at one of the local panaderias (bakeries) for the bunuelos (round fried dough balls or fritters like donuts only without the hole) or the cocadas blancas (or what we called “coconut balls” because really, that’s what they are) which are made with sweetened condensed milk. Oh Em Gee. You definitely don’t want to miss that.

There are a couple of nearby towns that are worth a visit as well. In Filandia try the desserts at La Casa Del Pandebon which served amazing baked items.

In Salento be sure to dine at La Fonda de los Arrieros which has a wonderful ambiance and where they serve the best traditional foods :: arepas, frijoles (beans), arroz (rice), chorizo (sausage), chicharron (pork belly) and aguacate (avocado) and don’t miss trying the refajo (local beer mixed with Colombiano which is a local soda) as well as lulo (local fruit which means “little orange” made into an amazing juice – my very fave in Armenia). They also have a little mariachi band that will come and play for you at your table. So fun!

#5. Visit a local finca (farm).

The landscape is breathtakingly beautiful and it is really a wonderful treat to see how the livestock in Armenia is raised and treated and fed.

You might even consider a Farm Stay. Finca Hotel La Tata Premium in Pueblo Tapao Montenegro about a 30-minute drive east of Armenia comes highly recommended. Click on the link and check it out. Great reviews and property! Hiking and coffee/banana plantation tours can be arranged from here.

We had the pleasure of visiting our friends’ finca de la familia (family farm). Several of us milked the vacas (cows) and fed their babes (babies)… and a couple of us even rode the caballos (horses). It was a lovely way to spend the day for sure and I highly recommend you do this when you’re in Armenia.

I would highly recommend getting out into the open and visiting a finca or two in Armenia. It is truly a beautiful area and the air is so fresh and clean!

#4. Go river rafting in Montenegro – Balsaje Por El Rio La Vieja.

OK so Montenegro is a country in Europe but it’s also a city in Colombia near Armenia. Who knew? This was the most relaxing day we had in Armenia thus far and it was absolutely perfect! Rather than white-water rafting this is more of a “lazy” river rafting experience that floats along peacefully with the help of the two guides who kept us from bumping into the banks. Sometimes we got a little rush but most times it just gently took us along. And it went slow enough that we were able to jump into the river and just float (or swim) alongside the raft.

The time of year we did this the area had experienced 40 days without rain so we were not able to visit the anticipated waterfall La Cascada and although it was a disappointment it really didn’t take away from our rafting experience at all.

We took a lunch break in a beautiful spot overlooking the river which was absolutely perfect. Lunch was arroz, pollo, patacon and vegetales (vegetables) in a delicious sauce served altogether in a hoja de banana (banana leaf). OMG was it good! Seriously delicious!

TIP :: If it’s a super sunny day be sure to ask them to put up a roof for you (they are more than happy to oblige). It can get hot and being in the shade when you need it is really helpful.

#3. Go paragliding in Buena Vista.

I know, I said it. Me. With my overwhelming fear of heights which I am desperately trying to overcome. Well, by the coercion, I mean encouragement, of our friends and with some reticence as you can see in the pic below, I agreed to give it a try. OMG.

Running off a cliff was seriously one of the scariest things I’ve ever done in my life… who’s idea was this???

But I must say, once I was off the ground and some time had gone by (with the help of my instructor who owned the company *whew!* and who helped distract me by pointing out some interesting views in the distance) I am so glad I did it. The view was breathtaking (I think I’ve used this word many times in describing what I’ve seen of Colombia so far and I don’t think it will be the last) and the air was so fresh and clear. It was a perfect day. I had the perfect instructor. He even let me steer us for a while. One of the highlights of my life so far, for sure.

Considering everything is much more affordable in Colombia than in the US it was really refreshing to be able to do many activities without breaking the bank. For instance, our paragliding experience cost only $40US per person while in California it would cost anywhere from $175 to $250. I am so glad I didn’t chicken out and took the leap… It is definitely one thing checked off my bucket list and something I can brag about (hehe) for years to come.

After our successful experience in the air we spent some time in the cute little town of Buena Vista.

#2. Go horseback riding in the Andes Mountains.

Climb into a jeep for a 2-hour drive to Cocora Valley and ride up into the Andes Mountains on caballos that know the trail very well.

Definitely not a leisurely ride, it was an incredible experience with breathtaking views as we rode our caballos through narrow trails of rocks and streams and trees and waterfalls. This adventure is definitely not for the faint of heart but surely one I will never forget!

Our destination was a hummingbird sanctuary high in the hills to which we had to climb about 100 very steep steps. Once we got up there (whew!) we enjoyed the scenery, refreshments and the beautiful hummingbirds flitting about. This also gave our caballos a break before heading back to town.

Check out this slow-mo video I took of these adorable birds…

TIPS ::
#1. Again, this experience is not for the faint of heart. You will need to be a mediocre horseback rider or else they will give you a guide to help you along the trail as I did (I’ve only been on a horse a handful of times in my life).
#2. We had a dry and beautiful sunny day but I have heard that it can rain and get muddy on this trail so be prepared with a raincoat and boots.
#3. Be prepared for this ride to take your breath away at times. Seriously incredible.

#1. Visit a coffee farm and take the tour.

Since Armenia is located in the middle of the Coffee Triangle and named the Coffee Culture Landscape of Colombia for good reason it really is a must to see how the coffee is grown, harvested and prepared for public consumption. WakeCup Coffee Tour by Experiencia Cafetera is located about an hour’s drive south of Armenia in Pijao where you will experience an immersive, full-day coffee tour known to be one of the best coffee tours in Colombia. The tour will take you through every step of the production process as well as all the way through to the end product and how best to serve it.

There are also other farms and tours available in Salento and in Armenia itself. It doesn’t really matter where you go, just don’t miss the opportunity to take a tour. Especially if you’re a coffee connoisseur (but even if you aren’t – like me) you will not want to miss this experience.

In the pic above I am drinking coffee. Duh! But what you may not know is that I am NOT a coffee drinker. Well, unless you count Starbucks Frapuccino as coffee; most people don’t. HA!

But as I was explaining this to the server he gave me the rare opportunity to change my mind by giving me pure Colombian coffee with the actual coffee cherries as a sweetener instead of sugar (a true Colombian coffee shop does not believe in using sugar in coffee – in fact, they don’t even have it available in the store!). He asked me to chew the coffee cherry (the outside of the coffee bean that is usually removed before the bean is roasted) and then take a swallow of coffee and cherry at the same time. OMG.

This is the first time I have ever really enjoyed a cup of java. Wow. I wish we could get these coffee cherries in the US!

Read More ::

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Armenia was the perfect start to our time in Colombia. The fact that we were able to travel this week with Spanish-speaking people really helped us get more comfortable, learn and understand more Spanish.

But more than that our adventures in Armenia were unforgettable. The landscape was breathtaking. Everywhere we went we were overwhelmed by God’s beautiful creations in nature. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to spend time in this incredible area of Colombia and especially to be able to spend it with family and friends.

Our next adventure in Colombia takes us to Medellin. Stay tuned in next week’s post for a recap of our time there. You will not want to miss it!

The post Armenia Colombia :: 7 Experiences Not to Miss appeared first on Where in the World is Louise?.

Tip #1 :: Choosing the perfect cruise line

The first of the Cruise Tips I have for you is in choosing a cruise line. Why? Because they all differ in personality. If you stop to consider what vibe suits you best you will be guaranteed a great time because it will fit your personality.

It has to be said that all of the cruise lines try and provide something to please everyone. But trust me when I tell you :: it is possible to wind up on a cruise ship with food that you’re not happy with, entertainment that doesn’t suit you and people with whom you have nothing in common. There’s nothing worse.

And that’s why my number one cruise tip is to choose your cruise line first. And I always advised that you do your research well in advance. I’ve taken four different cruise lines over the last 30+ years and these are the ones I am sharing with you ::

Carnival 

Known as the “Fun Ships” Carnival seems to be especially focused on pleasing the party-goers, singles and families with children and they make it more affordable so the cost fits into the budget of this demographic. And with the fun also comes a lot of noise. Yes, Carnival ships can get loud. But if you’re all about the fun, that will be perfect for you. They provide a party atmosphere out by the pool all day and night.

Carnival sails to :: Alaska, Australia, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama Canal, Transatlantic and Transpacific.

Carnival’s main dining room food quality is fine and it is all included in the price of your cruise so if you don’t like something you can always ask for something else. It’s a lot of fun when you go with a large group to dine together every night. And if you are traveling as a couple you can eat at your own table or ask to be seated with a larger group for dinner. It’s a great way to meet new people. But just remember you will be dining with these same people every night.

There are lots of other food venues on board that are included in the price of your cruise as well such as the ever popular Guy Fieri’s Burger Joint, 24-hour pizza on the Lido deck and many others. When we traveled with our family we spent a lot of time on the Lido deck because who doesn’t like fresh, homemade pizza? They provide lots of choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Royal Caribbean

The cost of an RCCL cruise won’t break your bank depending, of course, on what type of cabin you choose and if you opt out of the specialty dining venues they offer. Their large ships never seem crowded no matter where you go even though their largest ship accommodates 6600 passengers and 3000 crew members.

RCCL sails to :: Alaska, Arabian Gulf, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada/NE, Caribbean, Europe, Pacific Northwest, Panama, South Pacific, Transatlantic and Transpacific.

The entertainment on board is fabulous – their broadway productions are magnificent. The main dining room food quality is good. Their specialty dining restaurants are great.

Celebrity

Celebrity sails to :: Alaska, Asia, Australia/NZ, Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean, Dubai, Europe, Galapagos, Hawaii, Pacific Coast, Panama Canal, South America, Transatlantic and Transpacific.

With moderate cruise pricing they also offer good main dining room food quality. I would rate them a notch above Royal Caribbean for their food. And their itineraries are pretty spectacular.

They have a tendency to cater to the the older British crowd out of the UK (we left out of Southampton) where the entertainment is also focused on the Brits. That’s what we discovered at least. But it’s party time almost anywhere else.

We took Celebrity Equinox out of Istanbul when they still included that port. Since the US Embassy bombing in Ankara in 2003 cruise lines have removed Turkey from their itinerary altogether. But this was truly the best cruise I’ve ever taken. Istanbul to Barcelona and 12 stops in between. I would do it again in a heartbeat. And Celebrity was the perfect cruise line for it.

Norwegian

Norwegian sails to :: Africa, Alaska, Asia, Austrialia/NZ, Bahamas, Canada/NE, Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, Pacific Coast, Panama, South America and Transatlantic.

The Norwegian cabins have a tendency to be a bit smaller than the average cruise ship but you won’t be able to tell. We couldn’t. Their main dining room food quality is better than average as is their on board entertainment. They have really stepped up their game when it comes to on board entertainment. Their ship Norwegian Bliss even has a race track!

I loved cruising with Norwegian – we’ve taken the Escape and the Epic and they were both fabulous!

So there you have the run down on four of the top cruise lines IMHO and the ones I personally have experience with. I have enjoyed each one and they each have their strengths so it just depends on what you are looking for in a cruise. But wait, I have more cruise tips for you ::

Tip #2 :: Choosing the perfect ship

Choosing a ship is my next priority and one of the most important of my cruise tips for you. It’s probably because I’ve had so many to compare that I am more persnickety about the ship I want to take on my next cruise. Once you’ve sailed a few times you realize what you like and what you don’t like so my opinions come from my experience ::

SIZE / AGE

I have found that the size and age of the ship is the number one priority for me. Yes, destinations are important too but if the itinerary is great and the ship is old and doesn’t have all the amenities I like having then it makes for a dull time while at sea. The newer ships tend to be not only larger but also have better amenities onboard to make the cruise much more fun.

The smaller ships can get to places the larger ships can’t such as rivers and canals. But they are also not as stable as the larger ships so you will feel the movement of the waves a lot more. And I find that they also target an older crowd with less amenities than do the larger ships.

CLASS

The class of the ship also determines how much will be available to you while you are onboard. The higher the class the more expensive but also the more comfortable and luxurious your experience will be. Many times the class will also determine the ship’s age.

AMENITIES

Amenities are important if you are going to spend any time at sea at all. For instance, depending on the destination, on a 7-day cruise you could be spending half of the time at sea. And if your options only include a crowded pool outside or crowded restaurants inside you may not enjoy your cruise as much as a larger ship. Consider how much you would be willing to spend to upgrade your class of ship so that amenities are plenty.

Tip #3 :: Choosing the perfect itinerary

It almost isn’t as important to me to choose the specific itinerary because once you decide what kind of cruise you want there are so many different ports you have to choose from each hold something special and many different options. I’ve been to the same ports two or more times and I always find new places to explore so consider this as another one of my important cruise tips ::

DESTINATIONS

Whether you want to spend your port time in the water or on a beach or taking land excursions, choosing your destination is very important. Take time to explore all the different options, there are many!

TIME OF YEAR

Just as above and of course very important when considering a cruise, you will want to keep the time of year in mind. Before June and after September you can expect cooler weather and even some rain and the ocean water tends to be colder in places like Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. I don’t think a little rain is always a bad thing, especially in places like Pompeii or Athens where the heat can be overwhelming. But just consider that when choosing the time of year for your cruise.

PORTS

Consider the location you will be sailing out of. West Coast, East Coast or even a destination port. Because that can be really fun!

LENGTH OF CRUISE

Cruise length ranges anywhere from 3 days to 21 days on a regular cruise itinerary so one of my tips is to consider length. It all depends on where you want to go and what your budget is. Personally I have taken so many cruises that a 3-day cruise seems just too short. Sometimes even 7 days isn’t long enough for me anymore. My personal preference is a 14-day cruise or longer. And I love Europe and the Mediterranean so that time frame is perfect for those destinations.

Also consider how much time you prefer to be at sea as opposed to stopping at ports. There are lots of activities on board a larger ship in case you are spending several days at sea. But if you’re an adventurer you may opt for a cruise that includes several ports. There is no wrong or right. The choice is yours. But one of my tips for choosing a cruise is to consider how much time you want to be at sea.

EXCURSIONS

You can choose and reserve your cruise excursions when you are onboard your ship but one of my tips would be not to waste your precious vacation time doing this. There are always very long lines for Guest Services because other people haven’t planned ahead and booked online. I suggest you do all of your research prior to your cruise and book your excursions well ahead of time. You will have more choice before they are sold out and you can enjoy your cruise time doing fun things on board.

Another one of my tips is to spend time doing some research and trying to find reputable cruise excursions by companies who are not necessarily affiliated with your cruise line. Chances are your excursion will be cheaper and many times you can find a better choice for you and your friends/family. Make sure you do careful research on the company offering excursions. Although there are many reputable ones, there are also some that are not. Cruisecritic.com is a valuable forum resource where you can get others’ recommendations of excursions you are thinking of booking. My personal preference is finding local companies to those offered by the cruise line. It is their business to show you a great time and get you back to the ship in plenty of time. We have experienced some fantastic excursions by researching those with rave reviews and high ratings found on cruisecritic.com and tripadvisor.com.

Tip #4 :: Choosing the perfect cabin

When it comes to a cabin it really is a personal preference. When I cruise I like my cabin to feel like I’m at home so another one of my tips is to consider what kind of cabin you’d like. I prefer a higher middle deck and I prefer a balcony because of the views and the fresh sea air. But if you’re not picky and you want to keep your budget to a minimum you may opt for an inside cabin. Again, the choice is yours ::

LOCATION

The location of your cabin may be important to you if you have a tendency to have motion sickness. Low and middle is my recommendation if the “sway” of the ship will hinder your ability to have a good time and/or sleep.

If motion sickness is not a problem, consider the area of the ship you will be spending a lot of your time. Go online and check out the map of your ship. If you like to go to the pool, try and get a room nearer to that side of the ship so it will be easy and less time-consuming getting to and from your room. If you want a great view of the sunrise, sunset or land check out the route of the ship to see what side of the ship will give you the best views.

TYPE

There are several choices of cabins available depending on your budget and your preferences. Inside cabins are the cheapest rooms available but you will not have a view and they have a tendency to feel smaller and closed in without windows. The cabin choices go up from there all the way to outside and balconies and suites. Think about what’s important to you when traveling and make sure to choose something that will be comfortable for you. This is definitely one of my best cruise tips. Don’t just go for cheap :: the difference is only dollars so be sure you get what you will be comfortable in.

CLASS

There are also different classes of cabins, some that come with concierge and/or butler service. If that is important to you make sure to look into how much extra it will cost and if it makes sense for your budget.

Tip #5 :: Choosing the perfect embarkation location

I really enjoy taking my time and arriving at my cruise port at least a day early. Sometimes I even arrive 3-5 days early especially if it’s a location I’ve never been to before. And there’s also the option of lengthening your vacation by staying longer. One thing I’d love to do is take back-to-back cruises but I have yet to experience that so I can’t give you input on that. So here is what I recommend ::

CITY

When choosing a cruise take into consideration where you will be embarking. The port city may be near other things you are interesting in doing or seeing. Some cruises will embark in one city and disembark in another city. That might be an option. But be sure you check to see which itineraries offer what you prefer.

PROXIMITY

How far is your cruise port from where you live? Take into consideration the cost for your flights and/or other transportation you will need to pay for before even getting onto your cruise ship. And if you are driving make sure you check out where is the best place to park your car for the time you’re gone. They do have parking at the port but from what I hear it is much more expensive than the off-site parking lots, some of which provide shuttles to the port.

Tip #6 :: Planning fun before and after

Once you have chosen your cruise line, destination, ship, destination, cabin and embarkation point you can start researching and planning your time before and after your cruise. This is one of my favorite cruise tips! Take your time :: it’s your vacation so make it last as long as you can!

LODGING

It is good to stay in lodging that is in close proximity to the port, dining options and with other interesting places within a short drive or walking distance to enjoy. Whether you choose a hotel, resort or AirBnb is up to you. Many hotels offer shuttle service to the port or you can take an Uber if they don’t. If you’re near by it won’t cost much.

OUTINGS

Try to find some great things to do that are not far from your hotel. Having a pool at the hotel is always a great way to start relaxing. I chose an Escape Room for us to experience prior to our cruise out of Miami. It was a lot of fun. We also ate at some great restaurants nearby that feature Latin food to get us in the vacation mood.

When we traveled to Istanbul to start on our 14-day Eastern Mediterranean cruise we arrived 4 days early to explore Istanbul itself. And when we disembarked in Barcelona we spent several days there as well. It is so much fun to take advantage of the cities in which you’ve never been before. I mean, who knows if you’ll ever have the chance to return? May as well take advantage of being there if you have the time, right?

I hope some of my cruising tips will give you food for thought as you begin planning! I’m so excited for you because whether this is your first time or you’re a veteran cruiser, I know you will have an absolutely fabulous time!

Let me know if cruising is in your plans for the near future and if some of my tips have helped you to decide some of the details!

Bon Voyage!

Read More ::

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How to Pack a Carryon For a Cruise in 10 Easy Steps

Ultimate Guide to Symphony of the Seas

Best Travel Tips After 30 Years of Traveling

The post 6 Cruise Tips to Help You Choose the Perfect One appeared first on Where in the World is Louise?.

One of the absolute highlights in the Balkans (which includes the following countries :: Albania, Bosnia + Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and the geographical/political region of European Turkey), this city has everything from breathtaking views, historic buildings, ancient architecture and ridiculously gorgeous natural wonders. Dubrovnik is a one-of-a-kind city that should definitely be at the top of your travel itinerary, especially because the weather there remains amazing long after summer is gone. So you can comfortably travel there after many tourists have taken their kids back home for the new school year.

Side Note ::
Dubrovnik was a stop on a 14-day cruise to the Eastern Mediterranean (and may I just add :: the BEST cruise itinerary I’ve ever taken. EVER.) departing out of Istanbul and stopping in Ephesus, Corfu, Mykonos, Athens, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Civiteveccia (Rome), Livorno (Florence), Nice/Villefranche, Provence (Marseilles) and ending in Barcelona. 12 stops, with only 2 full days at sea. What an amazing cruise that was and I would take it again in a heartbeat if it was still available (unfortunately the cruise lines took Istanbul off of their itineraries for safety reasons after the bombing at the US Embassy there). My plan is to write about each and every one of those fascinating cities in upcoming posts, so stay tuned!

Back to Dubrovnik, it happened to be a super hot day at the end of August but Roydio and I were determined to walk (and climb and climb!) the Walls of Dubrovnik which took us all the way around Old Town. OMG. The heat definitely made it a challenge but it was beyond worth it! It took us longer than the estimated time of 2 hours not only because of the heat (rest and water!) but also because I stopped at every turn to capture literally EVERYTHING I could in the short time we were there! I wish we’d had much, much more time…

Fort Lovrijenac

Also known as St. Lawrence Fortress or Dubrovnik’s Gibraltar this 16th century seaside fortress is made of limestone and hosts theatrical performances outside the western wall of the city. I’m told that several seasons of Game of Thrones was filmed here.

The Croatian leg of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series takes place in Lovrijenac. Two drawbridges lead to the fort and above the gate there is an inscription Non Bene Pro Toto Libertas Venditur Auro “Freedom is not to be sold for all the treasures in the world.”

Cost :: Included in the cost of Walls of Dubrovnik entrance 54.79USD Click here for tickets.
Hours :: 8am to 7:30pm
Location :: Od. Tabakarije 29, 20000, Dubrovnik

St. John Fortress

Also called Mulo Tower St. John is one of the key forts in Dubrovnik built to protect the entrance to the port but currently the large interior of the fortress houses the Dubrovnik Maritime Museum and Aquarium. From the intriguing exhibits one can gain insight to why and how Dubrovnik Republic was so successful in its trade endeavors and how Dubrovnik became a wealthy merchant Republic.

Cost :: Click here for info about and tickets for the walking tour of Dubrovnik which includes St. John Fortress
Hours :: 8am to 7:30pm
Location :: Poljana Paška Miličevića, 20000, Dubrovnik

Stradun

Stradun, the 300-meter limestone-paved pedestrian “main street” through Old Town, is surrounded by the Walls of Dubrovnik. Undoubtedly one of Europe’s most picturesque pedestrian thoroughfares, the Stradun boasts many cafés and restaurants and is a great place to rest weary feet after a day touring Dubrovnik and also do one of my fave pastimes :: people-watching.

Cost :: Free and open to the public
Hours :: 24 hours
Location :: most of the streets in Old Town lead to Stradun

Dubrovnik Cathedral

The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is its formal Roman Catholic name and is the seat of the Diocese of Dubrovnik. Beneath the Cathedral nearby archaeological excavations have revealed the foundations and walls of two older churches. The first was an early Christian basilica built sometime in the 7th or 8th century. Some say that this “new” church was financed by Richard the Lion-Heart on his return from the Third Crusade.

Cost :: Entrance is free and open to the public; ticket to enter the treasury is 2EU
Hours :: 9am to 5pm most days
Location :: Ul. kneza Damjana Jude 1, 20000, Dubrovnik

Tvrdava Minceta

Tvrdava Minceta is a 14th century fortress located on the north part of the walls facing toward the land at the highest point of Dubrovnik which offers a panoramic view of the city and Adriatic sea. Minceta is a large round fort with a massive base in the form with the Gothic crown sitting proudly on top.

Minceta is the very highest point in the Dubrovnik defense system, the name taken from the Mincetic family who were the owners of the ground where the tower was built the construction of which started in 1319 according to the design of architect Ranjina. You’ll be able to get some pretty fantastic views from this vantage point.

Cost :: Included in the entrance to the Wall (approx 30USD) or Click here for info and tickets on the Walking Tour
Hours :: 8am to 7:30pm daily
Location :: Ul. Ispod Minčete 9, 20000, Dubrovnik

Large Onofrio’s Fountain

Onofrio is a circular spring-water fountain built between 1438 and 1444 with carved stone masks out of which you can fill your water bottles any time of the day or night. Dubrovnik’s famous Big Fountain of Onofrio is probably the best known of the city’s many historic monuments.

Fresh spring water is available to the public from this and many other fountains around Dubrovnik. And it is certainly much needed if you’ll be there when the temperatures are as hot they were when we were there.

Cost :: Free and open to the public
Hours :: 24 hours
Location :: Pojana Paska Milicevica, 20000, Dubrovnik

Pile Gate

For centuries Dubrovnik’s famous Pile Gate is the north/main entrance to Old Town Dubrovnik. and is still the most interesting access point to this fabulous old city, formerly surrounded by a moat complete with a drawbridge built in 1537. Carved into the gate is a statue of Sveti Vlaho (St. Blaise), the patron saint of Dubrovnik.

Cost :: Free and open to the public
Hours :: 24 hours
Location :: Ul. Grata od Pila, 20000, Dubrovnik

King’s Landing

King’s Landing is the main filming location for the very popular television series “Game of Thrones.” The tours will take you to some of the locations used in the filming of this award-winning series.

If you’re a fan of the show this is a MUST do. Especially since they aired its final episode just last month on May 19, 2019.

Cost :: Click here for tickets to the 22.84USD small group walking tour
Hours :: 24 hours
Location :: Brsalje ul. bb, 20000, Dubrovnik

Dominican Monastery

In Gothic-style architecture this religious complex / museum was founded dating back to 1225 however actual use of the building did not occur until the 14th century and the bell towers were not added until the 18th century. 

The Dominican Monastery is one of the most important architectural parts of Dubrovnik and major treasury of cultural and art heritage there as the museum of the monastery exhibits many paintings, artifacts, jewelry and other items from the rich history of Dubrovnik.

Even with the many tourists who linger here it is a very peaceful place in which it is easy to reflect what it must been like in that time in the 14th century. Surreal, really.

Cost :: Entrance to the museum is 15 Kuna
Hours :: 9am to 6pm
Location :: Ul. Svetog Dominka 4, 20000, Dubrovnik

Sponza Palace

Also called Divona, “Sponza” in Latin means “the spot where rainwater is collected.” Designed in both Gothic and Renaissance architecture this 16th century palace was built between 1516 and 1522. The palace has served a variety of public functions, including as a customs office and bonded warehouse, mint (until after the fall of the Republic), armory, treasury, bank and school. It is currently home to the city archives (in terms of volume one of the largest in the world) which hold documents dating back to the 12th century. The palace is also currently used as a performance venue. And a memorial of Croatian soldiers killed in the last war is housed in there. 

The details in the architecture are stunning.

Cost :: Free to enter inner court; Treasury costs 2EU
Hours :: 8am to 7pm
Location :: Stradun 2, 20000, Dubrovnik

Cafe Buza

If you love drinking ice cold beer, lazing in the sun and cliff jumping into the crystal clear Adriatic ocean then you’re in for a treat. Is this what the original “dive bar” was named after?

Hanging out at a Buza Bar is definitely one of those things that you have to do if you come to Dubrovnik but there are a few things you may want to be prepared for before you go :: Buza Bar is no longer the the secret it used to be so it gets very crowded. The servers aren’t the friendliest (probably because they want to get people in and out as quickly as possible) and the bar serves only drinks, no food. You’ll pay about 6.50USD for a beer. And it may not be cold as they advertise. And they will serve your wine in a plastic cup. If you’re ok with all of that, make sure you bring water shoes to climb the rocks if you plan to dive in the water!

To find these epic spots, walk the main old town street clockwise around past all the shops and restaurants. You will eventually walk past a small doorway/hole in the wall (literally!). There is spray paint on the wall inside reading “NO TOPLESS” (HA!) that leads around to the right – you should be able to hear the music! This is Buza Bar 1 and it is the larger of the two. It has much more space for sunbathing and tables & chairs for chilling out. But be prepared for some seriously uncomfortable sunbathing! As you’ll find a lot in Europe, rocks and concrete slabs are known as their beaches. Remember, you’re coming for the experience!

Cost :: menu pricing
Hours :: 8am to 10pm
Location :: Crijevićeva ul. 9, 20000, Dubrovnik

Franjo Tudman Bridge

Originally designed to begin building in 1989 the process on the Franjo Tudman Bridge was halted due to the Croatian War of Independence. When it finally did open in 2002 this 1700-foot-long lopsided cable-stayed bridge was named after Croatia’s first president after its independence from Yugoslavia and cut the drive west from Dubrovnik by 20 minutes. If you park at the lot on the far side of the bridge you will get a wonderful view of Gruž Harbour and the Elafiti archipelago.

Cost :: Free and open to the public
Hours :: 24 hours
Location :: Suspended over the Rijeka Dubrovacka, near the Port of Gruz

There are TONS of other sites to see in Dubrovnik but it is impossible to even scratch the surface on a one-day cruise stop. What I enjoy about cruising is that you are exposed to many different destinations that one day you can go back to and spend more time. Croatia is one of those destinations to which I will return again and again I’m sure of it!

Read More ::

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What a beautiful and picturesque place Dubrovnik is! It has all the history and architecture and culture and texture that I seek to find on my travels. My heart was full this day. The gelato was so refreshing and super tasty (one of the best I’ve had outside of Italy) and Roydio really enjoyed the iced coffee here! So happy that this city was on our cruise itinerary.

Update :: We flew back to Croatia on a trip to Europe, this time to Split, where we spent a little more time and also had the opportunity to visit the surrounding areas including UNESCO World Heritage Site in Trogir. Such a beautiful and interesting place. I’ll be writing about that trip in a future post so stay tuned for more on Croatia!

The post Dubrovnik Croatia :: A Must-See Gem in the Balkans appeared first on Where in the World is Louise?.

We spent three days in Liverpool in a pretty awesome AirBnb so that was definitely a good start. It was fairly near to all the attractions we wanted to see in Liverpool with easy access to public transportation.

HOHO Bus

The best way I’ve found to see an entire town no matter where you find yourself in the world is on the HOHO bus. Hop On Hop Off. It has a silly name but it describes exactly what it is :: you have the option of getting on and off whenever and wherever you want. Well, at each of the stops on their route, that is. And depending on the city you’re in they may have several routes.

What I did when I first arrived in Liverpool to make sure I’d see all the attractions I was interested in seeing was to take the HOHO around the entire route. I made a mental note (or took a picture) of what I wanted to see more in detail and then, on the second time around, I got off there. After I’d seen what I wanted I then hopped back on or walked to the next spot. For one affordable fare you can see many of the popular sites to see. Surprising to me was the fact that Liverpool really does have a LOT to offer!

Cost :: 14.59USD for 24-hr ticket (i.e., buy it at 2pm Monday and it’s good until 2pm Tuesday). Click here for tickets.
DEAL :: Click here to get tickets for river cruise and HOHO bus combo.
Hours :: The first tour leaves the Royal Albert Dock at 10 am and runs every 30 minutes from each stop until the last tour leaves the dock at 4:30 pm.
Location :: Click here for stops.

Liverpool Cathedral

Liverpool Anglican Cathedral is Britain’s largest Cathedral and the 5th largest in Europe. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II attended the grand opening in 1978 as “a triumphant proclamation of hope” and it was named “one of the great buildings of the world” and “a city site of world importance.”

The site was originally that of St. Peter’s Church but was over the years reconstructed as LAC is now. If you’re interested in reading about its entire history click here.

Cost :: Entrance is free; donations are accepted. The “Tower Experience” will cost 5.50EU or 14.50EU per family. Click here for more details.
Hours :: 8am to 6pm
Location :: St James Mount, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 7AZ

Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King is Britain’s largest Catholic Cathedral, opened in 1967 and man is it impressive! The cathedral’s architect, Frederick Gibberd, was the winner of a worldwide design competition held by the Union of International Architects. MCCL is the seat of the Archbishop of Liverpool and the mother church of the Archdiocese of Liverpool.

Cost :: Entrance is free; donations are accepted.
Guided tours are also free but suggested donation is 3EU per person. Click here for more information.
Hours :: 7:30am to 6pm
Location :: Cathedral House, Mount Pleasant, Liverpool L3 5TQ

Walker Art Gallery

The Walker Art Gallery located side-by-side to the World Museum and Central Library holds a stunning collection of paintings, sculpture and decorative arts spanning over six hundred years.

Cost :: Free general entry – Special Exhibitions vary between 2 to 9EU. Check with WAG for details.
Hours :: 10am to 5pm
Located :: William Brown Street, Liverpool, L3 8EL

Central Library

The largest of the 22 libraries in Liverpool is situated beside the World Museum and the Walker Art Gallery in the center of the city. What a gorgeous building! The 72-foot walk up contains engravings of famous titles of books, movies and music. From what I’ve heard therein also lies a riddle or a secret code if you will :: look for the letters in RED. If you’re aware of the riddle, let me know!

The library collection holds tomes dating back 800 years, including handwritten letters by Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and Florence Nightingale and even a childhood essay by Paul McCartney.

Cost :: Entrance is free and open to the public
Hours :: Mon-Fri 9am to 8pm, Sat 9am to 5pm, Sun 10am to 5pm
Location :: William Brown St, Liverpool L3 8EW

St. John’s Gardens

Such a peaceful and serene park named after John the Baptist. The gardens are part of the William Brown Street conservation area and comprises one of the two open spaces within Liverpool’s UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cost :: Free and open to the public
Hours :: Open 24 hours
Location :: St George’s Pl, William Brown St, Liverpool L1 1JJ

World Museum

The World Museum has really cool exhibits, revealing millions of years of the Earth’s history through thousands of exhibits and hands-on activities.

Cost :: Entrance is free; donations are welcome.
Hours :: 10am to 5pm, except on December 24, 25, 26, 31 and January 1 when it is closed all day.
Location :: William Brown St, Liverpool L3 8EN

Aquarium

The Aquarium at World Museum has a wonderful variety of fish – one of the most popular attractions at the museum for sure.

Cost :: Free and open to the public
Hours :: 10am to 5pm, except on December 24, 25, 26, 31 and January 1 when it is closed all day.
Location :: inside World Museum at William Brown St, Liverpool L3 8EN

Radio City Tower

View the fantastic skyline of Liverpool and beyond from the very top of St. John’s Beacon, home to Radio City.

Cost :: 4.50 to 6.50EU
Click here for combo tour including Mersey Ferry, Beatles Story, Radio City Tower and Cavern Club.
Location :: 1 Houghton St, Liverpool L1 1RL, UK

Epstein Theatre

Epstein Theatre re-named in memory of Liverpool’s most successful music entrepreneur and Beatles manager Brian Epstein, whose portrait hangs pertinently in Brians Bar. Brian was renowned for his contributions to the city’s cultural and music scene. Brian once also worked there when it was called Crane’s Music Hall. The theatre has featured a wide range of live entertainment for over 100 years.

Cost :: Prices vary, based on show. Buy tickets online or call them at 0844 888 4411
Location :: Hanover House, 85 Hanover Street, Liverpool, L1 3DZ

Liverpool City Center

With 5 shopping centres, 2 department stores and over 400 shops – you’ll find party wear, gifts and goodies for everyone and every budget in Liverpool city centre.

Cost :: Open to the public
Location :: Road access to Merseyside is excellent with the motorway network making access to central areas quick and easy. From the M6 follow the M56 or M62 to Liverpool.

Chinatown

You know by now that it is pretty inevitable that I have to find the Chinatown for Roydio wherever we go. And Liverpool was no different.

The food at New Capital on Nelson Street was delicious. England is known for having a wonderful assortment of international cuisine throughout and Liverpool certainly lived up to the reputation.

If you walk down Nelson Street at the right time, you can even hear the clatter of Mahjong tiles, with groups of people gathered round to play together. The area is also notable for its Chinese-style architecture; with the paifang (gateway structure) on Nelson Street being the largest, multiple-span arch of its kind outside of China.

Cost :: Free to enter and open to the public – restaurants and shops incur various prices

Location :: South of the City Center near Liverpool Cathedral on the following streets :: Bailey, Berry, Corwallis, Cummings, Duke, Griffiths, Knight, Nelson, Roscoe, Sankey, Seel, Upper Duke

Crown Hotel

The Crown Hotel is a public house (or pub) recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated World Heritage listed 3-story building built in 1905 in Art Nouveau style. It is constructed in brick with some stucco and has marble facing on the ground floor and much stained glass. It is definitely a sight to see if you are into architecture.

Cost :: Menu pricing
Location :: 43 Lime St, Liverpool L1 1JQ

The Pumphouse

You won’t have visited Liverpool without seeing one of the most distinctive buildings on the Albert Dock – The Pumphouse – with awesome views of the Mersey. A traditional cozy British pub with outside seating which is great place to sit on a sunny day.

Cost :: Menu pricing
Location :: The Colonnades, Albert Dock, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 4AA

Liverpool Philharmonic Dining Room

Liverpool’s Philharmonic Dinging Rooms is an ornate Victorian pub with wood paneling, rich tiling, leather sofas, stained glass and chandeliers where John Lennon used to hang out when he lived in Liverpool.

Cost :: Menu pricing
Location :: 36 Hope St, Liverpool L1 9BX

The Wheel of Liverpool

The 196-foot observation wheel has 42 capsules (one is a luxury VIP pod with a glass floor and leather interior) designed to give a 360* panoramic view of Liverpool and the Mersey River has become a known landmark in Liverpool near the Echo Arena. It was struck by lightening in 2013 but sustained no damage.

Cost :: 6.50-10EU, VIP pod 70EU (max 4 people) includes champagne and chocolates
Location :: Keel Wharf, Liverpool L3 4FN

Pier Head and Waterfront

The Pier Head (properly, George’s Pier Head) is a riverside location in the city centre of Liverpool and part of the Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City UNESCO World Heritage Site as I mentioned earlier, which was inscribed in 2004. As well as a collection of landmark buildings, recreational open space and a number of memorials (such as the Beatles’ statue above) Pier Head was (and for some traffic still is) the landing site for passenger ships travelling to and from the city.

Cost: Free and open to the public
Location :: Pier Head, Liverpool L3 1BY

Mersey Ferries

If you’re an “oldie” like me you’ll fondly remember the song by Gerry and The Pacemakers called “Ferry Across the Mersey” and it will bring great memories of days gone by. It’s fun to hear the song being played while you’re on the ferry. Kind of surreal.

Cost: Various – click here for details and tickets
Location :: Pier Head, George Parade, Liverpool L3 1DP

Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City

LMMC is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on the waterfront in Liverpool and is comprised of six locations throughout the centre of the city which relate to a different component and time in the Liverpool’s maritime history.

Cost :: Open to the public
Location :: The Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City UNESCO site includes The Pier Head known as the “three graces” buildings Liver, Port of Liverpool and Cunard, The Albert Dock, The Stanley Dock Conservation Area, Duke Street Conservation Area/Ropewalks, The Commercial Quarter/Castle Street Conservation Area and The Cultural Quarter/William Brown Street Conservation Area.

Architecture

I saved this subject for the end of this post because it just so happens to be my very favorite reason for visiting Liverpool. The architectural stylings throughout Liverpool represent that of the past 300 years, while next to nothing remains of its medieval structures which would have dated back as far as the 13th century.

Built in 1716-17 as a charity school, Bluecoat Chambers in School Lane is the oldest surviving building in central Liverpool.

There are over 2500 “listed” buildings in Liverpool. A listed building is one considered to be of special architectural, historical or cultural significance and which is protected from being demolished, extended or altered, unless special permission is granted by the relevant planning authorities.

Due to the city’s rich architectural history Liverpool has been described by English Heritage as England’s finest Victorian City. And OMG I can really see why! I so enjoyed this aspect of Liverpool!

Read More ::

10 Beatles Attractions in Liverpool

Lisbon :: One of My Very Favorite Cities in Europe

Top 6 Must-Do’s in Barcelona

My Favorite Travel Products :: Top 50

As I said before I was surprised at what a great city Liverpool is. I am completely smitten by Liverpool’s architecture! Along with the other amazing attractions in Liverpool (I only touched on a few of my faves but there are many, many more, including the Beatles’ attractions mentioned above) I think you will really enjoy it too!

The post Liverpool Attractions You Seriously Shouldn’t Miss appeared first on Where in the World is Louise?.

We traveled by train from the cruise port to Riomaggiore, the first and most southern of the Cinque Terre.

Riomaggiore

As we entered Riomaggiore we walked through a tunnel lined with hand-painted tile and artwork. It was really a beautiful way to enter the Five Villages for my first time. I’d seen pictures and was instantly drawn to Cinque Terre but in all fairness you have to physically visit it to experience the true magnitude of its beauty.

We spent most of our time wandering the streets of Riomaggiore. What a beautiful town, even in the rain.

We had originally planned to walk the trails from one town to the other however the paths were wet, unstable and partially closed due to the rains so we opted to take the train between towns. It was actually very easy to navigate, much easier than I had anticipated. And it probably was a better option, giving us time to wander without worrying about the time so much. By train it only took about 5 minutes before we arrived in Manarola.

Manarola

Another beautiful town I was instantly drawn to Manarola’s cliff walls that were naturally formed by the earth’s movement.

The rains trickled ever so gently along its walls and the greenery that sprouted out from between the rocks.

We ducked into a little place for a cup of strong Italian coffee before continuing on our journey.

Corniglia

Corniglia was the next town in Cinque Terre we hopped off the train to see. And such a cute town it was! Filled with adorable little shops and houses, and although the cloudy skies didn’t reveal all the beautiful colors as I’d seen in pictures it was so beautiful. Then for just a few seconds the sun peeked out to help me understand more clearly what a difference the sun makes to brighten up this little corner of the world. I wish I had captured that little bit of sun on film. But it just means that I’ll have to come back again.

Vernazza

Vernazza has to be my favorite of the five villages. With the cute fishing boats docked down below on the Ligurian Riviera it made the most picturesque view of the water. We walked and walked up and down the hills on little pathways between the houses not wanting to miss any little nook and cranny we passed. 

It was amazing to me that there were so many tourists here with us that day. Especially a large tour group with all of their camera equipment and selfie sticks, stopping to take pictures every step of the way, made it difficult to see clearly. It was then that we decided to duck inside the Gente di Mare with its beautiful pipe organ in the balcony above. And we took the steps down to the lower level to get back out to the street.

It was mid-morning so we stopped at this cute little Focacceria. All they sold was focaccia. And OMG can I just say that it was the best focaccia I’d ever had? That’s probably to be expected having tasted it in Italy for the first time. Seriously, it was indescribably delicious. Perfectly seasoned, perfectly soft on the inside and perfectly toasted on the outside.

I wish I would have recorded the girls behind the counter as they sung Italian songs while they worked. It was like out of a fairy tale movie. We ate our scrumptious focaccia on the steps outside and just listed to the music. Yes. We were in Italy and I was absorbing every scent, every sound. And no, I couldn’t wait to delve into this wonderful bread before capturing a picture of it! HA!

Monterossa al Mare

Our last stop and at the north-most end of Cinque Terre was Monterosso al Mare. This town was unique to the rest as it didn’t have that “small town” feel as the others did.

We didn’t let a little rain stop us from getting some gelato because, well, you have to have gelato when in Italy, right?

After a quick look around town we took out our tickets and headed back out to the train to La Spezia and onboard our ship.

As I said earlier, this was a great way to just see an overview of Cinque Terre but I am convinced we will be back to spend more quality time in this beautiful place.

I’d love to find the perfect time for a visit :: when the weather is beautiful but there are not so many tourists. Is there such a time? We will see. But regardless, I know I’ll be back because this has been one of my favorite cruise stops so far.

Read More ::

Lisbon :: One of My Favorite Cities in Europe

7 Things That Surprised Me About Vienna

Top 6 Must-Do’s in Barcelona

My Favorite Travel Products :: Top 50

The post Cinque Terre :: One Stop, Five Lands appeared first on Where in the World is Louise?.

We may not realize how important female friendships are… but they really are. We need friends who will help us navigate through the good times and difficult times in life. Whether it’s one best girlfriend or many, we need girl friendships to help make life better just by having them. There are so many benefits :: we make memories or recall those special moments that make us smile or laugh so hard until tears stream down our face, we need hugs of encouragement and joy throughout this crazy life, we need advice in times of difficulty and mostly give us justification to be US. Our girlfriends appreciate us for who we are.

There are so many more reasons to have your besties by your side of course but I’ve come up with at least eight things I find you absolutely must make time for ::

1. Let loose :: It’s important to be able to completely be yourself. Life can be difficult at times. But when you’re with your girls you can forget about your cares and enjoy each other’s company and just be silly.

2. Personal one-on-one time :: girl time is imperative. On our cruises we have breakfast together every morning on our adjoining balconies (in this pic we were waiting for them to take down the partition), catch up on our lives, uplifting one another, sharing spiritual unity, giving each other facials and venting about our family life… there is much, much more. Spending time together is the main thing.

3. Girls just wanna have fun :: it’s always a good time to dance, singing along with songs from the past that bring you back to your younger days, hanging out in the hot tub or pool, snorkeling and boating, laying out on the beach. We don’t need a reason to have fun.

4. Get dressed up and blinged out :: getting gussied up and looking fancy is always a great idea when the girls get together. It’s so much fun! Whether it’s dinner or a show, a celebration or just because.

5. To remind you that you’re not only one person with the one you’re with :: your girls allow you to be who you are, who you are meant to be, encouraging you to rise to the occasion of being you and not disappearing into the wife/girlfriend of him. Be you. Without a care in the world.

6. Girls are still your soul mates whether or not you’re with someone. Boys don’t understand your “girl”-ness and never will. Your girls do. They think the same way you do and will give you a perspective from a girl’s point of view that is impossible from him. Your soul mates understand you like no boy can.

7. Your girls keep you true to yourself :: there’s no need for pretenses, your girls keep you grounded. Laugh until you cry and maybe even almost to the point of peeing your pants about things that boys have no understanding of. We laughed every minute of every day, from the minute we woke up until the moment we fell asleep. Laughing is good for the soul and for your health. And being reminded and excepted for who you are makes life so much better.

8. Make more friends everywhere you go :: every excursion, every dinner, every night at the casino and at the bar. We had a woman in Puerto Rico stop us to say that our joy is contagious and she wished she was on vacation with us. She wasn’t the only one. At an otherwise uptight dinner venue on board we turned a stuffy night into a night of laughter and had the tables around us laughing with us. Or just waiting for our room (like in this picture) there are lots of people around us that want to be friends! There are lots of opportunities to meet new people and infect them with your joy.

In a previous post 10 Best Girlfriends Getaways in 2019 I mention taking a cruise as one of the best trips to take with your girlfriends. But there are lots of other things you can do so check it out!

So here is the itinerary of our Girls’ Trip 2019 to give you an idea of how you can plan yours! Ours consisted of a 7-day cruise to St. Maarten, Puerto Rico and Haiti sailing out of Miami so we arrived a couple of days early to make the most of our time together ::

Day 1 we arrived in Miami, all met up at the airport (from all four time zones :: California, Idaho, Minnesota and Pennsylvania) and Uber-ed to our hotel. Dinner next door to the hotel at Sergio’s Cuban restaurant after an exhausting day of travel. Talking into the early morning hours just catching up…

Day 2 in Miami we spent all day poolside catching up some more. Lunch by the pool and then dinner at an amazing Peruvian restaurant Cvi.che 105. OMG the food there was uh-MAY-zing! I’ve never had ceviche this way before and they have a full menu of many other choices of Peruvian deliciousness.

Then we did an Escape Room afterwards. We arrived late (it takes more time catching up than you realize!) and didn’t get out in time. Boo. Again a late night but So. Much. Fun!

Day 3 we boarded Royal Caribbean’s (RCCL) Symphony of the Seas (SoS). I have a separate post about this ship, the largest in the world, because it is absolutely incredible. Check it out! We hung out in a latin salsa bar called Boleros until our rooms were ready.

We then attended the poolside Sail Away Party where there happened to be a group of girls and their mothers celebrating their Quinceanera. There must have been about 20-25 14-year-old latin girls and their mothers (no men allowed, apparently) who danced the cruise away. It was the biggest and best Q party they could have ever had! And we enjoyed watching them enjoy this important celebration of life.

Dinner at Wonderland. OMG I need a separate post on this specialty restaurant. I think I’ll do that! Because this is truly an experience I highly recommend should you decide on an RCCL cruise on the SoS!

I had to include this video of the Chocolate Bomb we enjoyed… probably one of the best desserts I’ve ever had in my life… Oh. Em. Gee!!!

The balloon drop at midnight was crazy fun and we sang along to music from our past and to which we danced for the last couple of hours of the day. The band was pretty terrific! As if that wasn’t enough we then spent time in the casino and ate pizza at around 3am before heading up to our cabin. Yes, we were exhausted!

Day 4 we leisurely explored the ship, had our lunch in the Solarium (adults only) for lunch and laid out in the sun in our own cabanas most of the day. We attended an Art Auction wherein two in our group purchased some beautiful pieces.

We enjoyed our dinner at 150 Central Park specialty restaurant (this is the stuffy place I mentioned earlier). The food was magnificent and the staff was wonderful as well. We ended up closing the place down. LOL!

We then went back to Boleros to watch the salsa dancing again – those girls and their families had so much fun every night! Such a blast! We ended the night in the casino and pizza, of course.

Day 5 we had our breakfast and long, long meaningful discussions on our adjoining balconies…

…lunch at Park Cafe (our fave)…

…and then a slot tournament and bingo.

We had our dinner in the Main Dining Room (the only day we ate here LOL!!!)…

…and then attended the first of four shows onboard :: Hairspray. It was a fabulous Broadway performance and every bit quality! Back to the casino and pizza at 2am before heading to bed.

Day 6 was our 3rd day onboard and our first port stop :: St. Maarten – we took a private snorkel adventure with Captain Alan to 3 islands with Elisa and Jervais ::  Ile Tintamarre, Creole Rock, Ilet de Pinel – had a simple yet delicious lunch of sandwiches, salad and fruit onboard between the stops.

After re-boarding SoS we freshened up and were so tuckered out that we opted for a casual dinner at Johnny Rockets for hamburgers and fries – just the ticket! We finished the night at the casino bar meeting some people who were playing craps. He grew up in Long Beach and now lives in Orange County in Southern California with his family! It’s a small world.

Day 7 was our 2nd port :: Puerto Rico :: where we took a coach tour of old and new San Juan.

We did a little shopping at an outdoor market and had lunch at a recommended restaurant Mojitos and had mofongo for the first time.

Here is the woman we met that I spoke about earlier who wanted to join our group. She came to hang out with us for a while.

Once back onboard the ship we had dinner at Chops Grille specialty restaurant…

…and attended our second show Hiro which is an aquatic performance. Amazing!

Afterwards we went to Dazzles to see a Beatles tribute by the main band who also played at the balloon drop the first night. We actually came back later that night when everyone was gone and talked until the cleaning crew came in and worked around us.

Day 8 we docked in Labadee, Haiti which is owned by RCCL and we had another snorkel adventure, a nice lunch provided by RCCL there (while watching the zip-liners zip by over us) and leisurely shopping for souvenirs.

Back onboard we freshened up and had time to just hang together in our adjoining cabins until dinner which we grabbed at the Solarium Bistro and took out with us to eat in Central Park.

Afterwards we enjoyed the fabulous Ice Skating Show. They used 40 drones in the opening of the show which was pretty spectacular! And after that we stayed for the Battle of the Sexes game as well as the Quest game. Very entertaining! We ended up back in the casino and pizza again in the early morning hours.

Day 9 was our final day at sea. We had breakfast in the Windjammer, played our final slot tournament. I got in the finals but then lost. Boo!

We finally caught up with the traveling piano man, had lunch at Park Cafe (our very fave) and watched the Flowriders for a while. Then we spent time chatting it up with the girls in the jacuzzi.

In the evening we attended “Flight – Dare to Dream” which is an original RCCL production chronicling the evolution of air and space travel and which included for the first time in history on stage :: zero gravity (as you can see in the video above)! It was absolutely magnificent!

And if that wasn’t enough they used 3-D technology to fly this biplane over the audience. Absolutely breathtaking show!

To read more about this production and all the productions on Symphony of the Seas, click here. It is totally worth taking SoS if only for their stage productions if not every other state-of-the-art technologies they use throughout the ship!

After the show which was completely unmatched, we had a very low-key dinner in the Solarium Bistro and couldn’t stop talking about the amazing shows and ship we had experienced all week. We spent our last night in the casino and casino bar with our new found friends and had our last pizza night before bed. A tradition we just couldn’t break.

Day 10 we disembarked, the easiest disembarkation ever, by the way, RCCL does an amazing job of getting us out seamlessly! We found our way to the Uber station along with 4000 other people! That was a crazy experience! Trekking through the crowds and finding our Uber driver was a challenge but we did it! We ate at the Front Porch in South Beach before heading out to the airport to meet our flights.

Such a wonderful girls’ trip and the perfect vacation for us all to catch up, laugh, get silly, make friends, renew our friendships and have an absolutely fun time! 

It’s funny that I am actually the only one in our group who doesn’t drink alcohol. That was absolutely no deterrent to our enjoyment. Luckily I have no inhibitions and don’t need alcohol to let go and get a little crazy. And luckily my friends are not the type to get inebriated and sloppy and inappropriate. All on a vacation of fun and letting go and being unafraid of doing and saying anything without judgement. These are the kinds of girlfriends we all need. 

I encourage you to find them and start the tradition of girls’ trips on a regular basis. Or if you live in different time zones like our group, set intended dates of getting together on girls’ trips throughout the year. Whether it’s once a year or every other year like we do, just make sure to do it. You will be so glad you did!

**Warning :: You will need a vacation to recuperate from your girls’ trip … it took me a couple of days to adjust to my “real” life. LOL! But I can’t wait for the next one!

Read More ::

10 Best Girlfriends Getaways in 2019

How to Pack a Carryon For a Cruise

My Favorite Travel Products :: Top 50

The post Girls’ Trip :: Come, Let’s Sail Away! appeared first on Where in the World is Louise?.