Every time we come back from a vacation we think to ourselves that nothing will be able to top it!
We had a good feeling about the Bahamas, but we have already seen incredible beaches and crystal clear turquoise waters...could the Bahamas have all of this and maybe more?
Bahamas made its way on our bucket list the moment we saw the videos of actual pigs swimming in perfect turquoise water. We immediately wanted to jump right in with them and enjoy this incredible experience.
Bahamas is definitely an up and coming destination for Europeans, but an overly popular one for US tourists and yacht owners.
The Bahamas is an archipelago comprised of several major islands and over 700 cays, however as they are very spread out it is difficult to travel between the islands unless you have a sailing boat.
Also the only way to get from one island to the other by plane, is by always flying back to Nassau, the capital.
Private tours from one island to the closest one start at 1500$... Cheap right?
Nassau is the most touristy of the major islands, with big resorts and a lot of restaurants, but if you have been following us for a while you know that we tend to avoid touristy places (where possible), therefore we decided to go to Exuma on our first visit to The Bahamas.
Why we chose Exuma
- Although Nassau is the touristy one, Exuma is the most famous of them all and for good reason, however it is a very laid back island. Unlike Nassau where you have a lot of restaurants and shops, Exuma has a very local and remote feeling.
- The main reason we chose this island was the proximity to the main attractions, Staniel Cay where you get to swim with pigs and Compass Cay where you get to swim with sharks! Yes, sharks! I got your attention now, huh? You little daredevil, you!
- Exuma is also known to have the best beaches in The Bahamas and the best part of it is that most of the times you will have them for yourself.
Things to know before travelling to Exuma
- Expect everything to be expensive! From accommodation, to day tours, and even food. To get an idea, the cheapest bread was 4,50$.- I mentioned above that the island has a local and remote feeling; this implies limited options in terms of food. There are only a few markets around the island where you can buy groceries, but you really don't need hundreds of them.
- Being this remote, food cargos do not come daily, so there will be times when the markets will run out of merchandise, this might even include the basics, like milk and bread.
- To better explore the island it is best to rent a car and you might want to do this with some time in advance as there are limited car rental companies on the island. We rented a car from Berlies Car Rentals where prices start at 60$/day for the cheapest car. Also a deposit of 300$ was required.
- There is only one bank on the island, so my advice would be to have cash with you. US dollars are accepted and they are at the same parity with the Bahamian dollar. Also, many of the shops do not accept credit/debit cards.
- The tide and the wind have a huge influence on how the island looks. Unlike other islands that look desolate like Mars on low tide, Exuma looks ideal when the tide is low and the water is calm. This is when you get to see its true charm. After all the Bahamas name comes from “baja mar” which means shallow waters.
- The island sort of “shuts down” after 6 PM and there is no nightlife here, so if you feel like a party animal this is definitely not the place for you. If you like to relax, unwind and enjoy the freedom, it is without a doubt worth it.
- Restaurants will add an additional 12% tax and even 10% gratuity, besides the actual price on the menu.
- Mosquito repellent would be a good thing to pack, as they have these nasty dusk mosquitos that won’t leave you alone!
When to visit
The best time to visit The Bahamas is during winter, starting December until around March - April. This is when the weather is the most perfect with less rain and no winds, which calms and clears the waters, giving you the feeling of swimming in a giant pool and making your experience the true Bahamian charm.
How to get there
There are daily direct flights from Miami and Ft. Lauderdale to several major islands like Nassau, Great Exuma and Eleuthera.
We flew from Miami to George Town, Great Exuma with American Airlines. The flight was less than 1 hour and the price was a bit over 200$ per person.
Where to stay
George Town is the main city in Great Exuma and here in the centre you will find the market, the bank and the water taxi marina. If you choose to stay at a fancy resort then I guess that the location doesn’t really matter, otherwise the proximity to the city centre is a good advantage.
We stayed at Hideaways resort that was around 20 minutes walk to the centre, but they had a complimentary shuttle bus to take us there at every 2 hours.
If you would like a 15$ discount on your next booking on Booking.com feel free to use our link:
Flip Flops Only Discount.
The article about the things to do in Exuma is in the making so stay tuned to read more about this dreamy place called the Bahamas!
O
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I don't think I ever thought of visiting Israel, until Cris decided to surprise me for my birthday with a weekend getaway to Tel Aviv. I had no idea what to expect but I was more than impressed to discover a very modern and boutique city, with a lot to offer! I guess hubby knows best! :)
When to visit:
The best times to visit are during spring and autumn, as the weather is pleasant and ideal to wander around the city. Summers in Israel are extremely hot and it can be a pain visiting the city in excruciating heat.
Thing to do in Tel Aviv
There are numerous things to do in Tel Aviv, not to mention the multitude of day trips that you can take to other places, like the Dead Sea or Jerusalem.
We were in the city for only 3 days, therefore we did not have the time to do all the possible trips as we wanted to properly explore Tel Aviv, but if you plan on staying longer they are something to take into consideration.
Take a stroll down the promenade
I can honestly say this is not what I imagined Tel Aviv to be, not sure what I imagined but I did not expect the Los Angeles / Barcelona vibes. The promenade is an incredibly sunny place during the day and very lively in the evening. Something you definitely cannot miss!
Get lost on the streets of Old Jaffa
Completely different from the promenade, this side of the city will take you back in time. The old town was definitely my favorite part to visit as it is rich with history and also has a very romantic vibe.
Rothschild Boulevard
This is the most iconic street in Tel Aviv and the oldest one as well, and it is basically a cultural, culinary and leisure centre.
Enjoy some fresh fish in the Old Jaffa Port
This place has been transformed into an up and coming art district with a lot of cool restaurants, coffee shops and art galleries.
Take a day trip/tour to explore the surroundings
As mentioned above as we had limited time in Tel Aviv we had to choose only one day trip, therefore we decided that the most suitable for us and something we really wanted to visit was the Dead Sea. However there are so many other great day trips that you can take, for example to Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
There are several tour company that operate these tours, but we are not big fans of organised ones so we rented a car in order to drive up to the Dead Sea.
Take a trip to the Dead Sea
Whatever tour you choose to do you still have to include the Dead Sea on your list. The place is absolutely incredible and it is definitely something unique.
It really feels amazing walking on salt and the myths are all true, you do float effortlessly in the water. Sometimes the landscape even makes you fell like you are on the moon...
HaCarmel Market
This one I definitely recommend! It is for sure the most famous market in Tel Aviv and it is as unique as it gets. A lot of variety of food, including fresh juices and delicious pastries! The pastries in Tel Aviv have been the best we have ever had anywhere in the world!
Try the local cuisine
The food in Israel is amazing and they have a lot of unique and cool places where you can try all of them. What we liked best from our trip:
The Humus Church - This is a must if you are a humus lover! The place looks like a church (ergo the name) and they only server humus, the best one ever!
Sabich - We watched "Somebody feed Phil" right before our trip to Tel Aviv and he recommended this place! And we are sure glad we went for a bite!
Miznon - for their traditional grilled cauliflower
Hakosem - in case you want to try the authentic falafel.
Weiss Bakery - for the most mouthwatering pastries
The Container - a cool place to sip a drink in Old Jaffa Port
Old Man & The Sea - great place to have lunch in the Old Jaffa Port, but a bit expensive. The appetisers here are delicious.
Well, the main idea is that wherever you choose to eat you must try their hummus, falafel and their pastries.
Tips and tricks:
- In Israel, due to Sabbath, the weekend days are Friday and Saturday; therefore most of the shops are closed from Friday evening until Saturday evening.
The bus, trams and trains also have a weekend schedule, most of them don’t even run on Saturday. So, if you arrive in Tel Aviv on a Saturday take into consideration that the train to the city from the airport is not running and you might need an alternative option, like a taxi or renting a car.
- If you choose to rent a car, you should know that the rental company will require a credit card and they will hold a deposit. We rented from Sixt right at the airport (but we made an online reservation before hand) and we were able to drop it at a hotel in Tel Aviv city center.
- In case you want to take a trip to the Dead Sea by car, keep in mind that highway no. 6 is a toll one. They will send the receipt to the rental car company which will later on charge your credit with that amount plus their handling fees.
Tel Aviv is great as a weekend getaway destination, especially if you want to go somewhere warm. However be prepared to spend some money as the city is pretty expensive when it comes to food and accommodation.
Sending hugs,
O
Whenever we choose a new travel destination, we think first of the experience that place has to offer as this is what we remember the most from our trips.
Years from now, you won't think about that place where you laid on the beach for two weeks or the good breakfast at a hotel, but more of the fun boat ride you took to a secluded island, the time you went on a sunset dolphin chase or how you lost your shoes in Asia and walked around for months in flip flops only. At least this is what we do, so we decided to put in writing the best experiences we've had so far.
Press PLAY to get the right mood:
Press PLAY to get the right mood:
1. Taking a helicopter ride over the island of Kauai in Hawaii
We knew that this experience was bound to have a great impact on us, however it left us completely speechless. You can take a helicopter ride over any island in Hawaii, but no matter who you will ask they will all tell you that Kauai is the best. Imagine flying above the incredibly lush and majestic volcanic formations that are iconic in the Jurassic Park franchise, known as the Na Pali Coast, or over the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, the red Waimea Canyon. And to complete this amazing journey the helicopter will descend inside the volcano that formed this island. There, over time, small waterfalls have formed and the clouds are so low shrouding everything in mysticism.
This was a unique experience in life and I'm not sure how we will ever top it, but we will make it our travel goal to keep trying.
2. Road tripping the USA in a convertible Mustang
We love road trips! It's fun when you plan them, when you prepare the playlist according to the destination and it's even more fun when you are on the road driving.
For the US road trip we did between California - Arizona - Utah and Nevada, we wanted to live the American dream, so what better car to rent than a Mustang? Engine roaring, hood down and...dream of californication.
3. Staying in an over water villa in the Maldives
We are not usually the people that care about where we stay, unless that place itself is an experience of its own...in this case a luxury resort in the Maldives.
Let's face it, you cannot go to the Maldives and stay at an AirBnB right? If you make the effort of going the distance than you should better do it properly.
The Maldives is all about staying in a fancy over water villa at a luxury resort, worrying over nothing but what to have for dinner.
4. Japan!
From the onsen experience, for which we drove all the way to the Japanese Alps to a lovely ryokan; to riding the Shinkansen, their famous super fast train; to dressing up in their traditional kimonos and taking strolls in the colourful city of Kyoto; to winning a prize at their extremely popular and fun arcade games; to indulge on their delicious food and culture; Japan itself was an experience!
5. Swimming with sharks in The Bahamas
Oh my! I can barely put into words so to do justice to the whole experience in the Bahamas! Here we got to swim, feed and play with the friendliest creatures, ones we never have imagined that we were going to actually pet one day! Yes, swimming with sharks was by far the highlight, one because I am utterly terrified of them and yet I was so comfortable in those waters, and two because...how many times you get to say you swam with sharks?
Not only that, but we got to swim with the famous pink pigs and feed the most loving stingrays ever! Oh and we even got to play with rock iguanas and go on a scavenger hunt for sand dollars! Should I say more? Cause there is! To put it short...take us back to the Bahamas!
6. The camper van road trip in Iceland
Oh my! I can barely put into words so to do justice to the whole experience in the Bahamas! Here we got to swim, feed and play with the friendliest creatures, ones we never have imagined that we were going to actually pet one day! Yes, swimming with sharks was by far the highlight, one because I am utterly terrified of them and yet I was so comfortable in those waters, and two because...how many times you get to say you swam with sharks?
Not only that, but we got to swim with the famous pink pigs and feed the most loving stingrays ever! Oh and we even got to play with rock iguanas and go on a scavenger hunt for sand dollars! Should I say more? Cause there is! To put it short...take us back to the Bahamas!
6. The camper van road trip in Iceland
I'm one of the girls that actually likes camping! While in Iceland we rented a cute fully equipped camper van and drove all around the island. Having our bedroom right in the back of the car, we got to stop wherever we wanted to sleep at night. There's nothing like waking up in the morning to the restless sound of a waterfall.
7. Spending New Year's Eve on Miami Beach
Watching the impressive fireworks above the palm trees on Miami Beach while listening to the fun latino music from the parties on Ocean drive, all while in the arms of my better half...the best NYE ever!
Also enjoying the perfect weather and basking in the sun is not a bad way to start the new year.
8. Watching the sunrise from a hot air balloon in Cappadocia, Turkey
Waking up at 4 AM has never been more exciting. The balloon ride while in Cappadocia is definitely a must! By the time the sun rises you are already up watching the beautiful valleys getting lit in all sorts of dreamy colors. Being up in the air with hundreds of balloons around us was...magical!
But any sunrise in Cappadocia is pretty special!
7. Spending New Year's Eve on Miami Beach
Watching the impressive fireworks above the palm trees on Miami Beach while listening to the fun latino music from the parties on Ocean drive, all while in the arms of my better half...the best NYE ever!
Also enjoying the perfect weather and basking in the sun is not a bad way to start the new year.
8. Watching the sunrise from a hot air balloon in Cappadocia, Turkey
Waking up at 4 AM has never been more exciting. The balloon ride while in Cappadocia is definitely a must! By the time the sun rises you are already up watching the beautiful valleys getting lit in all sorts of dreamy colors. Being up in the air with hundreds of balloons around us was...magical!
But any sunrise in Cappadocia is pretty special!
9. Attending the Garden Rhapsody at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore
A rhapsody of abundant bright colours playing on the most surreal music will make for a moment that words cannot describe.
10. Roof topping in Hong Kong
Dangling their feet from the top of a skyscraper is not for the faint of heart, but it sure was thrilling and exciting! Also illegal, so please do not try this at home!
11. Finding life in the Dead Sea, Israel
The Dead Sea is definitely one of nature's wonders! Besides this being the lowest point on Earth, it also has a salinity of over 34% helping you float in the water without having to move a muscle. Due to this salinity, nothing lives in the water, except for small bacteria and fungi, however this tree managed to survive on this incredible and isolated salt island! How amazing is this?
12. Feeding and bathing with elephants in Bali, Indonesia
The Dead Sea is definitely one of nature's wonders! Besides this being the lowest point on Earth, it also has a salinity of over 34% helping you float in the water without having to move a muscle. Due to this salinity, nothing lives in the water, except for small bacteria and fungi, however this tree managed to survive on this incredible and isolated salt island! How amazing is this?
12. Feeding and bathing with elephants in Bali, Indonesia
I love these gentle giants, so it was an amazing experience to watch them up closely, touch them and feed them, especially when they give hugs in return. If you ever get the change, please don't ride such an adorable creature!
13. Getting a kalava from a hindu monk at Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia
This read string is meant to ward off evil from a person. I still wear it till this day, although it has seen the wear and tear of time.
14. Zip-lining between two islands in the Philippines
The over 900 meters zip line takes you from El Nido to another small neighboring island, allowing you to fly over a breathtaking scenery.
*. Getting married in Las Vegas
This was the most incredible moment in our lives and it deserved a special place apart from the experiences above. I would have never imagined that a Vegas wedding could be this emotional and romantic, but I lost my breath a couple of times trying to say the classic vows that you see in all the movies. I guess that after all, life is just like a movie and dreams do come to life!
I loved writing this article as I got to reminisce over some incredible and unforgettable moments of our lives! I guess at the end of the day, the most important part of these experiences and this entire journey, is that we get to do it together! Looking forward to making new memories and living new and amazing experiences!
Warm hugs and sticky kisses,
O
I loved writing this article as I got to reminisce over some incredible and unforgettable moments of our lives! I guess at the end of the day, the most important part of these experiences and this entire journey, is that we get to do it together! Looking forward to making new memories and living new and amazing experiences!
Warm hugs and sticky kisses,
O
Just a short drive from Vienna of about 3 hours and a half you get to discover one of the prettiest small towns ever, Hallstatt.
So if you feel like walking around a fairy tale one day you might want to give it a visit. I'll let the photos tell the story.
You know how everyone who dreams of going to the Unites States wants to go to New York? Well...I always wanted to visit Arizona! Ever since I saw the first photo of those red iconic landscapes, I knew that I had to go there.
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Getting married in Vegas! I wonder why I never had this on my bucket list? Maybe because it seemed far too impossible? Well I guess some dreams you never knew you had until they actually come true.
Taiwan is an up and coming tourist destination and the country has so many beautiful places just waiting to be explored.
We were so impressed about Kauai that I decided to write a post about all the interesting and fun facts that we learned about this island.
Aloha! While planning our trip to Hawaii we had a really hard time deciding which ones of the 9 islands to visit first, but we knew from the very beginning that Kauai was going to be one of them.
It takes just a quick search on Google for photos from this island to have you convinced in seconds that this is a place you really must visit!
-travel guide-
How to best explore the magical land of Cappadocia, Turkey
Monday, September 03, 2018
If you feel like living in a real life fairytale for a few days and start believing that magic does exist, go visit the enchanted land of Cappadocia in Turkey.
Full disclosure: I always get hungry when I write this kind of articles!
Chris and I are both huge foodies so when we research a travel destination we always check out where and what to eat too. We always, I mean ALWAYS try the local food. The best way to experience a destination is by visiting its famous landmarks, meeting the locals and trying out the traditional dishes.
Who here has a bucket list of travel destinations or travel experiences? I certainly do!
One thing on our travel bucket list, which we can tick as done, was to drive on the famous Route 66.
Aloha! Hawaii has been on our bucket list for a while, so what better time to visit than now!? All we knew about Hawaii was basically from movies and that it is far far away, so a lot of research took place before we decided on which islands to visit. There are 8 major islands in Hawaii, 7 of which
you can explore.
In our travels so far we discovered that the things/places you least expect impress you the most. We would have never imagined that the desert in California would be this impressive, that it is defined by more than sand and wind, and that it actually holds some unique and incredible life, like the Joshua Trees.
