The picturesque town of Sintra, has long been a sanctuary for royalty and is known for their many fairy-tale castles and colorful palaces from the Romantic period. My favorite is Quinta da Regaleira, with its beautiful palace and extensive grounds filled with little pockets of gardens and secret tunnels. One of these tunnels lead to a tall spiraling well that was used for secretive initiation rites many years ago.
On the sixth day of our travel, we made it out to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of Europe. The startling jagged cliffs dropped sharply down to the turbulent Atlantic ocean. The powerful bracing wind whipped across my face, mixing the briny ocean air with the sweet smelling grass. The setting sun covered by the thin layer of cloud and fog, cast a grey shadow over the rock face giving the place a wild rugged feel.
Carmo Convent, located high on the hills of Lisbon was once the largest church in Lisbon. A devastating earthquake in 1755 destroyed most of the building, with the roof caving in on the congregation as they were attending mass. Today the ruin, with its skeletal remains, soaring arches, and roofless nave create a startling sight for visitors.
Porto is hilly, which means there are a lot of lookout points through the city. This particular one was at the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal. On the left of the main park is a path that takes you down to these smaller gardens overlooking the Douro river and the Vila Nova de Gaia side. These secret gardens are pockets of serenity within the city, surrounded by flowers, large shaded trees, and amazing views. Once in awhile you’ll hear a sharp cry, but don’t be disturbed, it’s just one of the peacocks signaling a mate.
On the second day we headed out to Foz do Douro and Matosinhos, small seaside towns just north of Porto. It’s possible to walk there from the Porto city center by following the paved walkway that winds along the coastline, however it will take about 1-2 hours. On a nice day, you will find a lot of people out on the beach. The aesthetic and layout of this place reminded me of the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, which is not surprising since Brazil was settled by the Portuguese.
We finally made it to Porto after a roundabout flight to London. Having heard so much about this quiet city from my sister, I couldn’t wait to see it for myself and had high expectations. The city itself reminds me of a lot of other European cities, but the difference is that it’s laid back and not overrun with tourists. I immediately fell in love with the rambling cobblestone streets lined with charming colorful apartments and their balconies filled with flowers. The city is small and walk-able, a definite bonus. Even with the rolling hills it was still easy to get around. We spent the first day exploring the city and immersing ourselves in the local culture. It doesn’t hurt that we are staying in an apartment instead of a hotel, making us feel even more like a local.
Now is an exciting time to travel to Myanmar (Burma). Having had their first democratic election last year, the country is rapidly changing. On the precipice of a new era, the once isolated nation is opening itself up and everyone is taking notice. Even with all the changes, a lot of things are staying the same. This is a country steeped in tradition, and it’s not unusual to see people still wear the traditional longyi, covered in thanakha, and chewing betel leaves. In rural areas, there are still plenty of people traveling around in horse carts. It’s quite rare to find a country that’s not filled with Starbucks and McDonald’s. Myanmar right now is what I imagined Thailand was maybe 20 years ago. So what are you waiting for? Here are the cost breakdown of our trip to Myanmar to help you plan yours: Continue reading
Istanbul, Turkey
The city of Istanbul straddles two continents, Europe and Asia. With its strategic location on the Bosphorus peninsula between the Mediterranean and the Black Seas, it has attracted many conquering armies over the centuries. It has also had lead to a mix of East and West culture that has made the city one of the most unique in the world. This picture was taken from the Bosphorus Strait where the ancient Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque stand out prominently in the city skyline.
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Ngapali is a beach paradise, not unlike those of Thailand or Vietnam; the only difference is that it is still relatively unknown and uncrowded – at least for now. It is easily accessible from the major airport hubs around the country like Yangon, Bagan or Mandalay via a short domestic flight. This untouched destination is known for its crystal clear water, fluffy white sand and fresh seafood. For more information on Ngapali beach, check out our other post. Below are five things to do while you’re in Ngapali Beach. Continue reading
After traveling through Myanmar for 11 days, we were tired of temples and stupas and ready for some R&R at the beach. Ngapali is a sleepy fishing village that has not quite attained the international recognition the beaches in Vietnam or Thailand have. Its white sand and clear blue waters have cemented its status as the premier beach in Myanmar, however. Overlooking the Bay of Bengal, Ngapali beach is located about 7 km from the town of Thandwe. This idyllic palm-lined beach was found years ago by a homesick Italian reminiscing about Napoli. The laid back vibe here makes it the perfect location for some peace and quiet to recharge for a few days before heading back to reality. Continue reading
life after 9to5 