10 Reasons NOT to Visit Slovenia

1. There is green postcard-like scenery everywhere. I guess one can get tired of that very quickly.

2. They do have a coastline too, but who would want to see these views?

3. Wine is like their national drink. Everywhere you go, people will have a vine yard all for themselves!

4. The food will make you gain some extra pounds. Who wants that to go through that during vacation?

5.  The most iconic location is an island in the middle of a lake. Disney fairytale much?

6. The symbol of the capital is a dragon and as we all know, dragons are super scary.

7. Ljubljana’s city center looks like a mini Prague but without too many tourists. Who will want to visit such an underrated place like that? Gimme overcrowded touristic locations!!

8. During the summer there is an Open food festival every Friday where you can eat all kinds of dishes from all over the world. Ugh, calories…

9.  Their desserts will give you a sweetness overload.

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10. There is also lots of beer though, but who wants to drink that during the holidays?

So isn’t Slovenia incredibly freakin’ awesome!?

Of course I was kidding the whole time. Slovenia is so great and y’all should visit it because word is spreading around!

I hope I really took you to this little beautiful corner of the world. The adventure awaits!

From the sunny side of this,

Isabel

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Now there’s a joke in Scotland that we get four seasons in a day. I say it’s a joke but it’s quite often true; we can experience rain, snow, wind and sun all within the same day, sometimes the same hour! However when the seasons are right, Scotland is an incredible place year round and I have included my top picks for each season.

Spring
Generally the most calm season here, spring time is when we often get the nicest weather and the days are starting to get longer. It can however still be quite cold and of course rainy and it has been known to snow as far south as Edinburgh in April before.

Gardens

Spring is the perfect time to visit the beautiful gardens on offer throughout the country. Three of my favourites are in Edinburgh. Dr Neil’s Garden, Royal Botanic Gardens and Lauriston Gardens.

Dr Neil’s garden is a beautiful garden, known in Edinburgh (only by the few that know it) as the secret garden. Situated on Duddingston loch (a Scottish lake), this garden is beautiful in the spring as the flowers come to full bloom. You’ll often be lucky enough to have this garden to yourself so take a picnic and enjoy gazing out to the loch on one of the many benched.

Royal Highland Show



June is a huge month for foodie festivals in Scotland. My favourite of these is the Royal Highland Show which takes place every year just outside Edinburgh. It’s more of a farming festival so it has a truly Scottish feel with animals to look at as well as delicious food stalls.

West Highland Way

The West Highland Way is a famous walk starting in Milngavie just north of Glasgow, and finishing 100 miles later in Fort William. Walking through beautiful scenery it is the best way to experience Scotland and this has been on my list ever since I walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Late spring is the best time to do this walk as you will hopefully get dry weather (although do see my note above, it has been known to snow in April) but before the midges (tiny biting inspects) start in the summer. If you don’t fancy the whole 100 miles, you can stop and start from the various locations.

Summer
Definitely the busiest time to visit Scotland and probably the most expensive. However the days are long, with the sun rising about 4am and setting about 10pm on the longest day of the year. Prepare to carry an umbrella for those summer showers, are you seeing the pattern here yet?

Edinburgh Fringe festival

The Edinburgh Fringe festival is a huge comedy and arts festival. Taking over Edinburgh in the month of August you can catch some street performers, a comedy show or sample food from the stalls set up in the city. While it’s the most expensive time to visit Edinburgh it’s definitely worth it for the buzz in the city. Every day finishes with the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a show of military bands and performers which finishes with a fantastic firework display (my favourite part).

Bute


All up the west coast of Scotland the islands have the most glorious beaches. For a trip close to the mainland try Bute, an island about an hour and a half away from the city centre of Glasgow. Get the ferry from Wemyss Bay to Rothesay and drive to the west side of the island for lots of amazing beaches such as Scalpsie Bay – even I have a hard time believing that is in Scotland.

Bring a picnic and enjoy the (hopefully) nice weather.

Villages of Scotland


Summer is by far my favourite time to visit some of the pretty villages and seaside ports in the Scottish lowlands. My top picks are Pitlochry, Anstruther (be sure to get a portion of fish and chips from the famous cafe) and Crinnan with its beautiful canal.

If you do stop in Pitlochry, make sure you visit Edradour, the country’s smallest whisky distillery for a tour and whisky tasting!

Autumn
I would struggle to choose a favourite season between spring and autumn. While the spring flowers are beautiful the gorgeous autumnal colours of woodlands are hard to beat! Although the weather is often miserable! Forget the umbrella, it’s too windy! But catch it on a clear, brisk day and it’s beautiful.

Benmore botanic gardens


These gardens, run by the Royal Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh, are beautiful all year round but especially stunning in the autumn when the trees turn beautiful shades of red, amber and yellow.

Drive up Loch Eck and the argyle forest to experience the beauty of Scotland in the autumn.
Note: the gardens are closed November – February but you can still enter free of charge, there just isn’t as much to see.

Enchanted forest and Loch Faskally
Every October, the forests in Pitlochry transform into an enchanted show of lights and sounds. Tickets go on sale in June and fill up quickly, with multiple shows throughout October you should easily be able to grab tickets. I have to admit I’ve still never been myself but I have heard great things from those that have made it along. Before heading to the show, check out Loch Faskally in Pitlochry for some more stunning autumnal scenes.

Falls of Shin
Over the months of April to September it is Scottish salmon season. Towards the end of the season, the salmon swim up river to reach the top to breed. Head to the waterfall at the Falls of Shin and you may be lucky enough to see salmon leaping up. It becomes a bit exciting as you start to cheer them on. Note: the visitor centre has closed due to a fire but the waterfalls are still accessible.

Winter
As expected weather conditions in winter go down a little, snow isn’t guaranteed, especially in the southern areas but often that means damp and wet winters instead of pretty snowy scenes with blue skies. The days are remarkably shorter with the sun rising at 9am and setting about 4pm. The low sun does make for beautiful photographs however with the so-called golden hour turning into the golden day.

Skiing in the Cairngorms


A huge national park in the north of Scotland, the Cairngorms is a fantastic place to head to for some skiing. It does get very busy so make sure you book a ticket up the slopes. If you are not a fan of skiing, head to Aviemore and visit the Rothiemurchus estate. There’s plenty to do from seeing reindeer, to sledging and just enjoying a coffee in a cosy little cafe.

I love loch Morlich, which if the weather is cold enough is often frozen over and looks simply beautiful.

Edinburgh Christmas market



If you are in Edinburgh over Christmas, the Christmas markets are definitely worth a visit. Sample lots of delicious treats such as mulled wine, haggis rolls and mini pancakes covered in chocolate sauce. There is also an outdoor ice skating rink set up every year. You can also pick up lots of Christmas gifts for friends. Stay and see in the new year at the famous Hogmanay (Scottish for last day of the year) celebrations. Whether you want to join in the famous street party or watch the fireworks from one of the many view points (check out Calton Hill or Blackford Hill), the city has a real buzz at this time of the year.

Glencoe

The Glencoe valley is a must for any time of the year but it looks especially beautiful in the winter with the snow-capped peaks.

Drive down to the King’s Hotel or down Glen Etive and you may be lucky to spot some majestic stags by the side of the road as they come down from the snow-covered mountains to find food.
Note: if you are fortunate enough to see some deer please remember these are wild animals, please also take great care driving in the dark. Glencoe is famous for walking but during the harsh conditions in winter it is only recommended for experienced walkers.

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See the rest of the Around the World series, from Panama to Egypt to Ecuador to California, here. 

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My name is Nathalie and I blog over at Snowflakes in California about my life in the US. It’s been almost two years since I moved from Belgium to San Diego and since Amy was kind enough to let me take over her blog for today I thought I’d show you a (tiny) bit of my adopted city. Ready?

To be honest, I had never heard of this city before I met my husband who grew up here. Everyone around the world knows Los Angeles, but San Diego seems a bit underrated next to its big sister. And for no good reason, because it has the same mild climate, (even better) beaches & waves, some of the best craft beer in the United States (although I’m not particularly fond of it) and LESS traffic. Very important.

THE CITY CENTER

Downtown vs. Old Town

So let me start with the beginning: San Diego is the first place on the West Coast where the Spanish built a settlement many centuries ago and is therefore sometimes referred to as the ‘birth place of California’. Since then it has become the second largest city in the state and the eighth largest (!!) in the country – according to dear Wiki. And even though it all started in the historic center appropriately called Old Town, you’ll find the pretty skyline Downtown.

The Convention Center

If you are short on time and want to get a first feel of the city, Downtown is definitely the place to start. The Gaslamp Quarter provides the perfect surroundings for happy hour drinks or a night out. There’s the convention center to admire – world-famous for hosting Comic-Con – and Petco Park right around the corner if you want to catch a baseball game. And don’t forget the harbor, where you’ll find the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier, now a museum.   

BALBOA PARK

The next stop for every tourist has to be Balboa Park. With 1,200 acres it is the largest urban cultural park in the US and home to 15 major museums. There’s a replica of The Old Globe for anyone who’s into theater and can’t make it to London, you can spend a day at the famous San Diego zoo or you can just wander around and enjoy the scenery and beautiful architecture. Also, as you can see from these pictures it can be pretty cloudy in San Diego. So don’t let anyone fool you, it might never rain in Southern California but that doesn’t mean it’s always sunny!

ACROSS THE BAY

The Coronado Bridge

Hotel Del 

One of my favourite things to do when I find myself Downtown is cross the Coronado Bridge and drive into the city of Coronado. Coronado beach was ranked the number 1 beach in the country only a couple of years ago (according to this list) and you can’t miss the incredible Hotel Del Coronado while you’re there. It’s the second largest wooden structure in the country and a National Historic Landmark. Like any old building in the US – this one opened in 1888 – it’s supposedly haunted, but I wouldn’t know since it’s a bit out of my price range. Nevertheless, I love the architecture and the lobby will simply take your breath away. It always makes me feel as if I stepped onto the Titanic…

THE WAVES 

Mission Beach

La Jolla Shores, Children’s Pool with seals, Torrey Pines State Beach

There is so much to say about San Diego and so little time, but one thing is for sure: there’s plenty of coastline to explore. Whether it’s a good surf spot you’re looking for or you just want to soak up some sun, don’t leave without sticking your toes in the cool waters of the Pacific Ocean. From Torrey Pines or Del Mar in the North of San Diego to the more touristic destinations of La Jolla Shores or Mission beach, there’s something for everyone. Even though I did not grow up near the beach, I don’t think I would want to miss it anymore.

La Jolla Shores/ The Pier

And if you’re lucky you get to see some rain!

San Diego is a fun and laid back city where you can pretty much wear whatever you want wherever you want. I’ve had some of the best food in my life here and my favourite is still the obligatory California breakfast burrito or the fish tacos. You pick. Beer enthusiasts can tour the many breweries and wine lovers definitely have to take a trip to Temecula. Bored of the beach? Then there are plenty of beautiful hikes to do. My only advice would be to remember it cools off quickly at night and it can be pretty cloudy near the coast – especially at this time of year – so don’t be me and bring some extra sweaters on that first visit!

Have you ever been to San Diego? 

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Despite the rather unfortunate name, Cabbage Beach is one of the most breathtaking beaches I’ve ever set foot on, and an absolute must for anyone visiting Paradise Island. Located just a short stroll from the Atlantis Resort, the beach is the perfect sanctuary to spend a lazy day. The sand is soft between your feet, the ocean is the prettiest hue of turquoise and the view never ceases to amaze! It is perfect.

 

 

Must-do: Island bike tour

Is there a better way to explore an Island than by bike? I think not! There are bike tours available all over the island, but Ty and I went on the one provided by the resort we were staying at. All the while our amazing guide told us fascinating stories of bohemian history, we explored the exquisitely beautiful Versailles Gardens and French Cloister. The resemblance to France’s Palace of Versailles Gardens is uncanny, which is entirely the point as it was designed as a smaller replica.

Have you been to the Bahamas? What’s your favourite thing to do on a beach holiday?

Thank you so much to Amy for having me guest post today! If you’d like to read more about my travels and adventures, snippets from my day to day life in Australia, recipes I’m currently loving, outfits I’m currently wearing and the love I have for the simple things in life, you can follow along with me here: Bloglovin’ || Twitter || Facebook || Instagram

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Hello Amy and the Great World readers! I’m Diana and I’ve been blogging over at Life in German for the past two years about life abroad, new recipes and our travels around Europe. I am really happy to be guest posting on Amy’s blog today and will be sharing some of the best sites Monterrey, Mexico has to offer. There is so much to see and do in this city, I gathered the 12 most visited spots that you should not ignore.

Barrio Antiguo

 

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Barrio Antiguo is located in Monterrey’s old town and is considered the origin of the city center. It is the historic jewel of “the city of mountains” and was the center of Monterrey’s nightlife before insecurity started taking over the city. It is also the most representative area of the city and was the heartbeat of cosmopolitan lifestyle.

The Macroplaza

The Macroplaza is the world’s fourth largest plaza and has several landmarks, including: Neptune’s fountain, the cathedral and “El Faro del Comercio.” This plaza is a place where locals gather to promenade on weekends. You can find anything from vendors selling Mexican candies and ice cream to couples taking wedding pictures.

Paseo de Santa Lucia

It is a relatively new (it was finished in 2007) river walk in the city offering 1.5 miles of artificial river connecting the Macroplaza and Parque Fundidora. It has crystal clear water and you can ride a river boat, or walk beside it all while having great views of the city. You can read my post about Luminacia at Paseo Santa Lucia last December.

 

Parque Fundidora.

You can spend a full day at Fundidora Park and still have a lot to see, it offers different recreational activities and so much more (you can view an interactive map of the park on their official page). 

El Obispado

It’s a must-see in the city without being a tourist trap, even though I can’t really vouch for it in person since I have actually never been here, but all my friend’s pictures up here look gorgeous! It is a popular place to take photos on special occasions.

Cola de Caballo

Chipinque

Chipinque is one of the most important natural passageways of the region because of its proximity to the city of Monterrey, a total of … km it is quite a hike, but the view at the top will definitely be worth it!

La Huasteca

it is a 15 minute drive from the city center and offers a climbing area, you can find many weekend climbers here. It is a good place to go with friends or family for a day in the mountains.

Thanks for having me, Amy! and if you would like to continue following along with our adventures, you can find me on Bloglovin, Facebook and Twitter.

Have you been to Mexico?

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I’ve loved reading about all the amazing places in the Around the World With series. Greece! South Africa! Honduras! Chile! France! My wish list is growing exponentially.

I’m so excited to share our trip to Ecuador with you today. I wasn’t in the blogging game way back in 2011, so pictures and stories of our Ecuador travels have just been laying in wait, ready to be shared.

Right after graduating college my then-boyfriend (now husband) and I headed to Ecuador for a month of travel. Ecuador was a random selection – we found great deals on flights and started planning from there rather than the other way around. It was my first trip abroad and I was simultaneously excited and tremendously nervous.

We spent the first few days in Quito wandering around the beautiful parks and churches, but the real beauty began when we headed into the countryside. Here are some of our favorite spots in Ecuador.

Mindo

Image Source alexanderjwatts

An unfortunate corrupted memory card caused us to lose our photos of Mindo, one of my favorite stops in Ecuador. We stayed at La Casa de Cecilia in an open-air room next to the river. After days in a dingy hostel in Quito, waking up to the sound of water rolling by in Mindo felt like heaven. The hostel was so nice I remembered the name of it five years later, and it looks like it’s still up and running well.

We spent time in the tiny town hiking and zip-lining through the rainforest. I’ll never forget dropping off a huge cliff, sliding so far down the line that I couldn’t even see the end, with the rainforest flying by.

Montanita

We took a few wild and crazy bus rides to arrive in Montanita, a hippy paradise. Hailing from Boulder, CO, we felt right at home amongst the jewelry peddlers, dreadlocks, and partygoers.

The first night we made the mistake of staying in city center, which equaled not a wink of sleep. The next few days we moved further uphill with a gorgeous view of the beach and surrounding hills.

Montanita was a warm, fun, and unique stop, appealing to a really young and energetic crowd. We loved basking in the sunshine on the beach and watching the eclectic bunch of people enjoying their time.

Cuenca

We loved Cuenca so much we have plans to retire there. And by retire, I mean that in five years we hope to have saved up enough money to buy some land nearby and settle down with some part-time freelance jobs.

Cuenca is full of delicious food, beautiful scenery, and wonderfully nice people. The city is chock full of history, and we spent our time wandering through museums and ruins. The Museo del Banco Central ‘Pumapungo’ and Archaeological park was a nice surprise and it had a botanical garden, Incan ruins, and an interactive museum creating a day full of free, beautiful, and informative travel.

The architecture in Cuenca is European, creating a quaint historical vibe. Beautiful modern cafes and restaurants are nestled among the stunning buildings.

Churches pop out around every corner and green parks beckon to be wandered through. Our accommodation in a small hacienda was perfect, with small courtyards full of flowers and hammocks to relax. Markets with flowers, crafts, and home goods speckle the streets.

Banos

About two weeks into traveling around Ecuador, Ryan and I were oh-so-tired of the constant moving, so we stopped for a week in the next location, which just happened to be Banos.

There were plenty of surrounding hikes, hot springs to bathe in, waterfalls to bike to, and scary bridges to walk across to keep us entertained. Banos is really touristy, so a week was a little long to stay but it gave us time to rest up.

One one of our favorite days we rented bikes and headed into the countryside to tour local waterfalls. The road ran alongside the highway, sometimes diverging from the road to go around a mountain while the streets tunnelled through. The bike ride was a good mix of up and down hill, so it wasn’t too strenuous. Watch out for the cars on the highway and make sure to wear a helmet!

From Banos we also took a day-long jungle excursion, which included time at a monkey sanctuary and a local village. Ryan enjoyed playing volleyball with some of the children and we had fun with the people we met. However, the whole thing felt voyeuristic. If I were to go back I would like to find an organization to spend some time volunteering in this area.

Quilotoa

By far our favorite experience was spending time at Black Sheep Inn in Quilotoa. It took a hair-raising bus ride around narrow hairpin turns in the mountains, but the crisp mountain air and quiet, community-oriented inn felt like home. Since we’ve visited they’ve transferred the running of the inn entirely to locals, creating a great long-term resource and cultivating sustainable tourism for the region.

We spent a majority of our time there hiking in the breathtaking mountains and practicing yoga looking out at the spectacular views.

One day we arranged for a truck to drive us to Lake Quilotoa, a sparkling turqouise crater lake in the mountains. The driver took us to the lake then a guide led us on an almost entirely downhill hike back to the Inn.

Another day we explored the Iliniza cloud forest, going from bright sunshine to foggy hills covered in moss and other strange creatures. The hikes changed so abruptly from sunshine to clouds, hence the name cloud forest.

Otavalo

We ended our travels in Otavalo, a gorgeous, bustling market town a little north of Quito. This worked out well; we bought all our souvenirs at our last stop to avoid lugging them around, coming home with some beautiful textiles and crafts.

We didn’t plan in advance, so all almost all the hotels we stayed at were found as we wandered by. This worked out well in Ecuador – we were able to see a place in person and never ran into trouble finding vacancies. Speaking Spanish fairly well helped with this, too.

We spent under $20 per night on accommodation, and easily ate meals for under $4 per person. We ate out on Valentine’s Day at a “fancy” fondue restaurant in Banos and nearly had a heart attack at the prices – $10 each! The trip was perfect for us as short-changed youngsters out to see the world.

I cherish the memories of Ecuador; something about the first travel experience seems create a connection. Ecuador is so gorgeous and full of such kind people. We hope to be back someday, and I hope one day you get to enjoy all it has to offer!

Thanks for having me over, Amy!

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The Old Town

The Old Town is gorgeous; it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and it is easy to understand why with its history and stunning architecture.

The town gets super busy throughout the day as it has a major cruise ship port nearby but, in the evening things quieten down significantly and you can really soak in the atmosphere (and the heat!) along the Stradan with a nice glass of Croatian wine and people watch to your hearts content! It is a walled town and you can pay to walk along these walls although I would recommend doing this in the morning before it gets really hot!

The Atmosphere

As I mentioned above the Old Town has a wonderful atmosphere, so much so that it needs it’s an entire section of it’s own here!  During the summer months when it is the height of the tourist season, there is so much going on throughout Dubrovnik. There is the Summer Festival which runs throughout July and August and provides lots of different concerts in various venues. Even when there aren’t any festivals there are always buskers or street artists to keep you entertained.

The Neighbouring Islands

Dubrovnik is small so if you are there for more than a few days you will probably want to explore a bit further afield. Luckily there are lots of day trips you can take to nearby islands and even to other countries! The closest island is Lokrum which is a fifteen minute boat ride away and is great for escaping the crowds during the day, doing a bit of sunbathing and maybe even having a cheeky (but very expensive) mojito. There are also some nice walks to be had there as well as a botanical garden and lots of peacocks roaming the island to be admired.

Slightly further away are the Elafiti Islands of Kolocepo, äipan and Lopud which are a must see. Many companies run day trips to see all three islands but you can also jump on a boat from Port Gruz and explore them individually. Our favourite Island is Lopud, but really they are all beautiful and worth visiting to take in the scenery and enjoy the sunshine!

 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

It’s Proximity to Other Countries

If you fancy going even further afield you can take day trips from Dubrovnik to different countries! There are a few companies that run tours to both Mostar and Montenegro that are worth considering. We did these the first time we visited Dubrovnik as we were there for nearly two weeks so had plenty of time to kill. They were both excellent day trips but I think I preferred the Mostar trip as it was a little bit less rushed!

The Food

For me, when I go to a new country it really is all about the food and Dubrovnik has so many wonderful restaurants to suit every taste! My particular favourites are Azur which serves Asian fusion cuisine, Nishta which serves Vegan and Gluten free food, and Taj Mahal which serves Bosnian dishes (I recommend the Cevapi). This list could actually go on forever and if you are looking for some tips on where to eat feel free to drop me a line and I will be happy to recommend some more.

The Wine

Before visiting Dubrovnik I had no idea that Croatia has some really nice wine. I don’t think it is widely available in the UK but if you can get your hands on it, I would recommend giving it a try! The Old Town has a famous wine bar called D’vino’s which everyone goes to when visiting and I have to say it does live up to the hype! There are also some wine tours available, we went on this one run by Mario, which although a little on the pricey side was excellent and worth every penny!

It is so difficult to describe just how beautiful Dubrovnik and the surrounding area is and my words and photos don’t really do it justice. I really recommend that you take a trip there if you ever get the chance as you won’t regret it!

Have you ever been to Dubrovnik? What did you think of it?

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There are so many absolutely beautiful places to see in this world, but not nearly enough time to see them! This is one of the reasons why I love this series Amy has put together so bloggers, like us, can “oooh and aaaah” over all the incredible adventures! I’m Robin, the girl behind Penn & Quill, a fashion and lifestyle blogger from Phoenix, Arizona. In December of 2013, I travelled with my sister to the beautiful and colorful country of Panama.

Bocas del Toro, Panama

The adventure took us through the city, mountains, and islands of Panama. Starting in Bocas Del Toro, a small island of Panama that you can easily spend one day wandering around. Dinner was spent at El Ultimo Refugio, which was incredible and the sunset view was one I’m glad I didn’t miss. I’d recommend another day of hopping around to the different islands via water taxi and spending some time exploring. We went to Red Frog Beach (on another nearby island) and gave the ziplining tour a whirl, followed by lunch on the beach and soaking up some rays of golden sunshine!

El Ultimo Refugio, Bocas del Toro, Panama Coffee plantation, Boquete, Panama  Boquete, Panama

For a complete change of scene, we were off to the mountains of Boquete. We enjoyed delicious food, a Christmas parade, a coffee plantation tour, and a tour around the mountains. I’m not a huge coffee drinker at all, but I’d still recommend the tour. It was so interesting to learn all about how it’s made and we were even able to roast our own! The end of our trip was spent in Panama City where we stayed with a friend of mine from college. We ate extremely fresh seafood from the market, saw the Panama Canal, toured the old sites of Casco Viejo, and spent some time getting to know locals.

Panama Canal Seafood market and Casco Viejo, Panama City

If you are planning on heading to the colorful country of Panama, I highly recommend the following restaurants:

Visiting the islands of Bocas Del Toro, Panama?

• Where to eat? – El Ultimo Refugio (restaurant entry way and patio view pictured above)

Visiting the mountains of Boquete, Panama?

•  Where to eat? – Georges Grill at Fireside Inn

Visiting Panama City?

• Where to eat? – El Mercado de Mariscos/The Seafood Market (Meal pictured above)

I’ve loved being able to share my Panama story with you! I’d love to know all about one of your favorite adventures or if you’ve ever traveled to Panama!

If you’d like to learn more about my adventures, need help planning a trip to Panama, or want some fashion and lifestyle advice follow my blog on instagram, twitter, and pinterest!

Thanks for having me!

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Today I take you to Egypt, a country I desperately wanted to visit since I was a little girl.  While in Egypt a profoundness swept slowly over me and settled down in my soul.  Driving through streets I saw camels walking next to cars, history amidst a modern urban scene, pyramids behind tall buildings, and all of this meshed into one moving body of old and new, rich and poor.

We were told there was a trash strike taking place in the city.  Whether or not there was an actual strike is debatable.  Some people told us it was a ruse to cover up the overflow, but either way, the city seemed very smoky as copious amounts of trash were burned.  Combined with a layer of car pollution, there was a haze hovering over the city and its seemingly neutral, often unfinished, sand colored buildings dotting the landscape.

When you peel back the haze, when you enter the sand colored buildings, something different emerges.  We learned that Egyptians leave the outside and tops of buildings unfinished, lavishly decorating the inside and adding floors as children get married.  How presumptuous of us to assume these buildings were unfinished.  These buildings were just what the people living there intended them to be!  It makes sense in a harsh desert climate to not worry too much about how the external appears, focusing more on the internal.  How profound when you consider the philosophy and deeper meaning that leads to.

There was a moment when our bus stopped and I looked out my window.  I saw a girl, about my age, with only her face uncovered.  We met eyes for a moment and she smiled shyly at me.  I instantly felt all the cultural distance evaporate, because it didn’t matter in that second.  It warmed my soul and the momentary connection has stuck with me since.

Our most astonishing discovery in the city of Cairo would have to be the four square-mile stretch of land where hundreds of thousands of locals, and some of the city’s poorest residents, actually live on top of a 1,300 year old cemetery.  They have built an extensive network of homes, schools, and shops within the cemetery.  Families will often lease plots above graves and the area has expanded into an extensive network.  Hundreds of thousands of people live there in what is called The City of the Dead.

Since Egypt can be an overwhelming country to take in, I thought I would share some things I wish I had known before visiting.

Safety Disclaimer

First off, safety.  I want to say that I cannot vouch for your personal safety in Egypt.  We did travel there before many of the major riots/political unrest, so I cannot attest to the current state of affairs.  It is always best to consider what is right for you and of course check your country’s current travel warnings. That being said, if you do decide to go, having a guide, or someone familiar with the county can be a lifesaver, both in your enjoyment/learning experience during your trip, and in the event of the necessity to evacuate due to an emergency.  I really trusted our guide, and he knew the right cultural protocol and way to navigate certain situations with tact.

Money

We exchanged cash into Egyptian pounds, only to find vendors asking us for the US dollar.  If I did it over, I would only bring cash in US currency and I would pack LOTS of change.  You tip for the bathroom, toilet paper, and sometimes even to get a paper towel after.  People are selling things everywhere.  Anyone who comes up to you is looking for money in some way or another.  People are friendly, but more aggressive than almost anywhere else I have traveled.  You’ll want to be prepared and have ample change ready to make your travels easier.

Dress

Egypt has a conservative dress code, especially for women, so it is respectful to cover yourself up as much as possible- at least covering your shoulders and knees.  There is a lot of sunlight coming down on you, so it is best to wear long, loose layers to stay cool and protect yourself from heat related illness or sunburn.  That being said, pack or buy bottled water and stay hydrated, especially if you’re not familiar with a desert environment!

Souvenirs/Bargaining

Bargaining is accepted and encourages!  Prices start inflated, as negotiation is expected.  Relax and have a sense of humor with bargaining.  Walking away will always get you a better deal, but I also recommend paying what you feel it is worth in the end, and not focusing or stressing yourself out too much on how much others paid or you could have saved.  As a side note, if you want an authentic painted papyrus, be sure to go to a government approved seller, so you know you are getting the real deal.  I personally think that is the best thing you can bring home!

Driving

I have been to my fair share of countries with notoriously crazy driving to outsiders.  I’ve watched as my driver in Rome got into an altercation with a moped, I’ve been in the back seat of a taxi in Tijuana, and of course I’ve driven the Southern California freeways for 15 years.  None of these compares in the slightest to the driving in Egypt.  Bottom line… do not drive yourself around the city.  I recommend organizing a small tour group or private driver BEFORE arriving, but if you decide to drive on your own, I warned you here first.

Food

The food in Egypt definitely has a Mediterranean influence, with its own twists and seasonings.  We enjoyed thick pita bread, skewered meats, falafel, vegetables, and ful medames (mashed fava beans cooked with oil, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, and salt.)  We mostly ate family or buffet style (which I recommend so you can try new things!), but of course you can find lots of variation and numerous other styles and foods.  We encountered many vegetable based dishes with unique flavorings and mixings, often in the form of mashes or pastes to be served atop bread or pita.  For dessert, I tried basbousa, which is a sweet semolina cake soaked in syrup.  I am by no means an Egyptian food expert, and I don’t remember everything we tried, but hopefully this gives you a general idea of what to expect.

Relax, and Enjoy

Take it all in.  It really is a wonderful place to visit and the people are warm and friendly. Take time to experience that and let it all soak in.

Definite DOs

Pyramids at Giza

See the Sphinx

The Citadel of Salah Al-Din

Cruise on the Nile

Visit Memphis

The Necropolis of Saqqara

The Egyptian Museum

Maybe consider:

The Laser Light Pyramid Show (so cheesy, but can be fun!)

Riding a Camel (it is not for everyone- also negotiate the price BEFORE you get on)

Admittedly, I was a bit out of my comfort zone in Egypt, but in a way that travel should put you out.  Although sometimes travel is for relaxation and familiarity, the best moments in travel are often the ones that make you uncomfortable and ask you to dig deeper and remove yourself from your comfort zone.

As we drove along at sunset one night, kids were playing in the strips of grass, camels lounging, groups of girls and boys, moms and dads, teenagers, all just hanging out together as the weather cooled down.  There was something very tranquil in it all, juxtaposed against the chaos of the city.

Each person we met in Egypt, tour guide included, was extremely warm of heart and kind in spirit.  Such a beautiful country, with even more beautiful people.  More than the artifacts and amazing history we experienced, I will always remember that about Egypt.

Happy and safe travels to you all!

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