Best Of – Have Blog Will Travel http://haveblogwilltravel.org Fri, 28 Nov 2014 03:27:24 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.5.3 Soccer & Travel: Our 5 Most Thrilling, Exciting, and Hair Raising Momentshttp://haveblogwilltravel.org/soccer-travel-5-thrilling-exciting-hair-raising-moments http://haveblogwilltravel.org/soccer-travel-5-thrilling-exciting-hair-raising-moments#comments Thu, 12 Jun 2014 16:39:09 +0000 http://haveblogwilltravel.org/?p=4155 In honour of the 2014 World Cup kicking off this week in Brazil,  Travis and I are sharing five of our most exciting, awkward, and downright ridiculous soccer related travel moments. With Travis being a huge fan of the game, we try to catch as many matches as possible while …

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In honour of the 2014 World Cup kicking off this week in Brazil,  Travis and I are sharing five of our most exciting, awkward, and downright ridiculous soccer related travel moments. With Travis being a huge fan of the game, we try to catch as many matches as possible while traveling. There’s no better way to get a sense for the culture of a city or country than to catch a match surrounded by hardcore fans.

And taking in a match doesn’t always mean attending in person. From bars and hole-in-the-wall restaurants to enormous stadiums, riot police in full garb, and freezing winter temperatures, here are some of our top five soccer moments from our travels.

Travis with a poster of Zola

Travis with a poster of Gianfranco Zola – one of his favourite players

Quepos, Costa Rica Bar

During one of our first trips together Travis and I took some time away from the beaches of Manuel Antonio to catch the Champions League Final between Manchester United and Barcelona. After taking the bus into the nearby town of Quepos, we wandered for a bit until we found a near deserted bar showing the game. There was a row of eight mismatched chairs lined up in front of the television, of which the two middle chairs were quickly vacated and offered to Travis and I. As the only female in the bar, I felt a bit out of place at first, however after a couple pints and a few great tackles we settled in and enjoyed the game with our new friends. PLus they served hot dogs – what more could you ask for?

Chelsea FC in London

Watching Travis’ beloved Chelsea FC live at Stamford Bridge is a travel moment we won’t soon forget. Sitting just off the kickoff line, we had great seats to watch Chelsea defeat Reading FC 4-2 in  a fantastic match. Add in a pre-game snack of classic English Fish and Chips and a pint of lager, and the day couldn’t have been more perfect.

The East Stand entrance at Stamford Bridge

The East Stand entrance at Stamford Bridge

Madrid, Spain

While in Madrid, we knew we wanted to catch a game but we were a week to early to see the El Classico between Real Madrid and Barcelona. So instead, we found a couple cheap tickets to the (then) up and coming Atletico Madrid match. Memorable moments from this game include sitting next to a cranky looking elderly woman who cursed like a sailor and reminded Travis of his Nonna, and discovering pictures of Real Madrid players used as targets in the men’s urinals.

Ljubljana, Slovenia

While in Slovenia we opted to watch a European basketball game instead of a football match, but that didn’t stop us from taking in the pregame celebrations in downtown Ljubljana. Celebrating pre-match, hundreds of fanatical ultras crowded around the quaint cobblestone streets along the city’s canals to chant, sing, set off smoke bombs and release flares into the street. The police were present to ensure the festivities didn’t get out of hand and the entire thing made for some great pictures.

Ljubljana-soccer-fanatics

Smoke and flares and full face masks in Slovenia

Belgrade, Serbia

When Travis told me we were going to see one of soccer’s greatest rivalries – The Eternal Derby between Red Star Belgrade and Partizan FC – I was not prepared for what was about to unfold. From a bonfire in the stands, during which Partizan fans removed their shirts to stoke the flames, to a temporary delay and near cancellation of the game due to thick smoke caused by flares thrown onto the field, to thousands of riot police dispensed into the stadium (along with a water cannon) and then lining the deserted freeway and we walked post-apocalypse style back into town, this game was intense. It’s also still one of our favorite travel stories to tell at parties.

Fires in the stadium in Belgrade

Fires in the stadium in Belgrade

And there you have it, five of our most awkward, intimidating, and humorous soccer-related travel moments. As for the World Cup, while we couldn’t make it to Brazil we will definitely be following along from the comfort of our living room. For anyone looking to better their understanding of the controversy behind the World Cup and unfaltering dedication of its fans – or those just looking for a good laugh – check out this humorous yet accurate monologue by John Oliver. The perfect lead into a month of great soccer competition.

This post is part of the #SundayTraveler Link-up…if you haven’t checked it out click below to see all of this week’s amazing contributions!

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Turkey Wrap Up – More Reasons to Love this Countryhttp://haveblogwilltravel.org/turkey-wrap-reasons-love-country http://haveblogwilltravel.org/turkey-wrap-reasons-love-country#comments Thu, 19 Dec 2013 19:48:50 +0000 http://haveblogwilltravel.org/?p=2554 Looking to wrap up our writing about Turkey, we weren’t sure how to approach this post. Although we often like to compile a list of our favorite travel moments or places after exploring a new country, with Turkey this just didn’t feel right. After a month of epic adventures and …

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Looking to wrap up our writing about Turkey, we weren’t sure how to approach this post. Although we often like to compile a list of our favorite travel moments or places after exploring a new country, with Turkey this just didn’t feel right. After a month of epic adventures and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, it was impossible to rank our favorites. Instead, we’ve decided to take a step back and look at all the reasons that made Turkey one of our favorite travel destinations in 2013.

Istanbul-10_mini

The People

It’s our experience that the people in a country can either make it feel like home or convince you never to return. In Turkey everyone seemed very sincere and helpful – especially outside of Istanbul (which has its share of pushy vendors and carpet salesmen). Even aside from the owners of the hotels we stayed in or the restaurants we ate in (who were all wonderful beyond anything we could have imagined), we met countless locals who showed a genuine interest in striking up a conversation with us, sharing stories with us, or just pointing us in the right direction.

The Food

To say that Turkish food agreed with us would be an understatement. With kebabs already one of our travel diet staples, we tried to sample as many different Turkish dishes as possible and were very rarely disappointed.  Among our favorites were Gozleme (Turkish pancakes) and Pide (Turkish pizza). And let’s not even start back on the Adana Doner we had at Durumzade in Istanbul. Good Turkish food was easy to find, very affordable, and delicious, if not always full of variety. In addition to dining out, we discovered some wonderful markets while in Turkey – full of fresh produce and delicious local cheese. It’s also worth noting that Turkish oranges are some of the best we’ve ever eaten!

Now that's a lot of cheese!

The Variety of Experiences

Perhaps the best part of Turkey for tourists is the incredible diversity in sites and attractions scattered throughout the country. From UNESCO World Heritage Sites to Ancient Roman, Ottoman, and Lycian Ruins to incredible natural wonders, endless beaches, and bustling cities, Turkey has something for everyone.

Endless beaches

Endless beaches

Crazy rock formations

Crazy rock formations

And enchanting bazaars

And enchanting bazaars

The Affordability

Being on a budget, the affordability of accommodation, food, and transportation – the travel basics – in Turkey was great. Not only did it allow us to spend more time in the country, but it also made splurging every now and then less stressful.

The Timing of our Visit

Although visiting Turkey in the off-season may not be everyone’s idea of perfect timing, we had a great time and would not have changed a thing. Overall, the weather was good, if not a little cold at higher elevations, and the smaller tourist crowds meant that we often had a site or attraction completely to ourselves.

Ephesus, calm and quiet

Ephesus, calm and quiet

Pamukkale was also very quiet

Pamukkale was nearly deserted

The Transportation System

Overall, we found the public transportation system in Turkey to be efficient and really user friendly – from long-distance buses and trains to local trams and mini-buses. Although bus travel isn’t our favorite way to get around, we were pleasantly surprised at how reliable,  affordable, and comfortable the Turkish bus system is for long-distance journeys – many of the buses were new and with Wi-fi, TV’s in the headrest, and an attendant serving snacks and drinks along the way. A great bonus were the rest stops the bus companies used – gone were the typical run-down, 3 Mars bars from 1997 left in the entire store, crapholes that we had experienced traveling with buses in previous countries. In their place were large, bustling centres with nearly everything you could need or imagine – warm meals, cold drinks, clothing, books, and clean bathrooms!

After our first couple of bus trips, we quickly learned there was no point worrying about missing a bus or getting confused or lost in the station. In Turkey it seems everyone at the bus station is there to help. The only comparable experience we’ve had is that of being fed by an Italian Grandmother – you remember walking in the front door and now all of a sudden you’ve got a fork-full of spaghetti in your mouth while being showered with attention. Many times in Turkey we simply arrived at the bus station and before we knew it we’d been taken care of and plopped on the right bus, hassle free!

There’s So Much Left To Explore…

We will definitely be back!

A fabulous look-out over the old town and harbour in Antalya

So there you go, our favorite Turkish experiences! Have you ever traveled to Turkey? What were you favorite places, experiences, meals, stories? Let us know in the comments!

If you haven’t read all of our adventures from Turkey yet, don’t panic, just click HERE!

 

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Why Liking Istanbul was Such a Surprisehttp://haveblogwilltravel.org/liking-istanbul-surprise http://haveblogwilltravel.org/liking-istanbul-surprise#comments Wed, 27 Nov 2013 12:35:40 +0000 http://haveblogwilltravel.org/?p=2163 If asked, our friends and family back home would be quick to tell you that I prefer small towns over large ones, even at the risk of being bored with nothing to do. Perhaps this is why we never moved to Vancouver after graduation like so many of our friends, …

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If asked, our friends and family back home would be quick to tell you that I prefer small towns over large ones, even at the risk of being bored with nothing to do. Perhaps this is why we never moved to Vancouver after graduation like so many of our friends, or why now, eight years later we haven’t packed up and moved to Calgary or Edmonton along with even more of those same friends. Even while traveling, when large cities offer some of the world’s most incredible sites, museums, and attractions – I find myself drawn to their smaller, more charming counterparts instead.

Istanbul, it's so hard to hate you

Istanbul, it’s so hard to hate you

The beautiful promenade in Piran

Charming little Piran, my favorite stop in Slovenia.

Enter Istanbul. The largest city in Turkey with an approximate population of 13.9 million people, and also one of the largest in the world. Istanbul is far from small. In fact, it’s the largest city we’ve ever visited and is home to more people than our entire province of British Columbia (crammed into 5,343 square kilometers, 0.57% of the land size of BC). Therefore, I’m sure you can understand my hesitation to allocate a whole week to our visit. As it turns out, I actually came to love Istanbul, and with so much to see and do here we haven’t had much time to sit around and come up with reasons to dislike the place.

Istanbul aerial 2

Istanbul is enormous, this photo doesn’t even include the part of the city located on the continent of Asia (via)

Istanbul aerial 1

A Satellite view of Istanbul at night (via)

As a city, Istanbul has everything I normally shy away from – crazy traffic (including an overabundance of obnoxious honking horns), crowded streets, smog, salesmen wanting to show you their carpet store, hot temperatures, humidity, and millions of tourists lacking any form of self-awareness. How then did I come to like this city so much – and perhaps even love it? Here’s what I’ve been able to come up with.

1. Istanbul is beautiful – in an obscure kind of way

She isn’t Paris, or Vienna, or Bruges, but Istanbul is beautiful in her own way. And while much of the architecture leaves something to be desired, Istanbul’s beauty isn’t found in ornately carved details and shiny new paint jobs, but on the street level where people go about their day-to-day lives, and the winding cobblestone paths lead you in directions you never would have thought to go.

Istanbul-20_mini

Buildings stacked on buildings, the colours in Istanbul are subtle but beautiful

Istanbul-12_mini

A vintage trolly weaves its way along modern Istiklal Street

2. Being on the water is my kryptonite

You could take me to some sort of freezing cold hell, where Sarah McLachlan commercials play on a continuous loop, and I would be fine so long as we were beside a large body of water – river, lake, ocean it really doesn’t matter. As fate would have it, Istanbul is surrounded by the Sea (it’s everywhere!), making the hustle and bustle of the big city melt into the background. As an added bonus, one of the best ways to get around the city is via FERRY; I have found my new happy place!

Fishermen take advantage of the annual anchovy run

Fishermen take advantage of the annual anchovy run

Seagulls fly alongside the ferry, diving into the water in search of food

Seagulls fly alongside the ferry, diving into the water in search of food

3. The off-season is the best season

While our visit in November may not be everyone’s ideal time to visit Istanbul, it has worked out marvelously. The weather has been glorious (sunny but not too hot), the crowds have been thin, and the carpet salesmen and hawkers have been relatively civil – at least compared to the horror stories I’ve read online. We also haven’t had to line up for a single attraction or fight our way onto overcrowded public transit, making the visit all the more enjoyable.

Topkapi Palace was one of the more crowded attractions we visited, and yet still quite quiet

Topkapi Palace was one of the more crowded attractions we visited, and yet still quite quiet

Istiklal Street on a Friday night. I shudder to picture this same street in the summer months.

Istiklal Street on a Friday night. I shudder to picture this same street in the summer months.

4. They have a freaking yarn bazaar

Although I struck out at the Grand Bazaar, where the majority of the goods seemed to be mass produced in China and the rest was way out of my price range, the story of our stop at the yarn bazaar has a much happier ending. The selection wasn’t the ‘holy-land of knitting’ I’d dreamed of, consisting mostly of thinner lace and sock yarn; however, I was able to find some awesome chunky 100% Australian Yarn (hand dyed to boot!) for a killer price. Since you’re clearly just dieing to know, I’m making a scarf. Don’t expect too many posts in the next week as I will be preoccupied until the yarn runs out.

I purchased similar yarn for my next knitting project.

I purchased similar yarn for my next knitting project.

5. It’s impossible to hate Istanbul

As much as I’ve talked about how “I normally hate big cities but Istanbul is sooooo different”, in reality, it’s just hard to hate this city. There is so much to do that anyone could be happy; shopping for the big spenders and cheap knock offs for the wannabes, culture and history for the civilized and grilled lamb kebabs for the carnivores, quiet parks or sandy beaches for a day of fun, and a freaking yarn bazaar! Istanbul kept us so busy that we are completely exhausted after just seven days in the city – thank goodness it’s time to leave because we really need a break.

The Aya Sofia gives visitors plenty to explore

The Aya Sofia gives visitors plenty to explore

Istanbul has a vast array of new dishes to try. One of our favorites were these enormous potatoes. Stuffed with couscous, cabbage, corn, olives, and even potato salad, they are traditionally topped with mayo and ketchup, although we prefer yogurt.

Istanbul has a vast array of new dishes to try. One of our favorites were these enormous potatoes. Stuffed with couscous, cabbage, corn, olives, and even potato salad, they are traditionally topped with mayo and ketchup, although we prefer yogurt.

So there it is – I like Istanbul, possibly even love it – although I normally reserve that type of language until at least ten or twelve days into a new relationship. Will we be back? Most definitely! I can honestly see us visiting over and over as time goes by, unless Travis starts to get jealous of my new admiration.

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7 Reasons We Loved Romaniahttp://haveblogwilltravel.org/7-reasons-loved-romania http://haveblogwilltravel.org/7-reasons-loved-romania#comments Sun, 24 Nov 2013 16:03:28 +0000 http://haveblogwilltravel.org/?p=2162 If you have followed our trip through Romania, it wouldn’t surprise you to learn that we absolutely loved our time there. A little off the current tourist trail of Europe, Romania isn’t the kind of place that get a lot of attention from the mainstream travel community; However, we think …

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If you have followed our trip through Romania, it wouldn’t surprise you to learn that we absolutely loved our time there. A little off the current tourist trail of Europe, Romania isn’t the kind of place that get a lot of attention from the mainstream travel community; However, we think this is something that definitely needs to change as Romania is a perfect travel destination for anyone looking for something a little different in Europe.

Here are some of the reasons that we loved Romania – and why we think you will too!

Picture Perfect Town Squares

Much like Poland, Romania’s town squares still feel like they are there for a reason other than to house crappy restaurants and souvenir shops. Big or small, every town has at least one large, beautiful square – and the vast majority of these still exist as the centres of everyday life for your average Romanian. Plus they are just so darn beautiful!

Piata Mare is one of the most beautiful in all of Romania

Piata Mare is one of the most beautiful in all of Romania

Piata Unirii - Just one of Timisoara's great town squares.

Piata Unirii – Just one of Timisoara’s great town squares.

Amazing Food

Romania may not be the first place that comes to mind when talking about great food in Europe, but it definitely should be. Whether you want down-to-earth cooking the way mamma used to do it, or you’re looking for fancy fine dining – Romania has it all. And at great prices to boot. Much of this relates to the huge farming community still in existence in Romania, and it means you can barely walk 10 feet down a street without coming to a place literally bursting at the seams with fresh fruits and vegetables or freshly-butchered meats and cheeses.

lunch_mini

Travis’ Birthday lunch in Timisoara

Ease of Transportation

After being in the Balkans for a month, Romania’s transportation system came as a welcome relief. With frequent (and constantly improving) train and bus systems, you can get just about anywhere in the country fairly easily. Train travel is still much slower than other places in Europe, but the scenery outside more than makes up for it. Plus tickets are very affordable compared to western prices.

Friendly People

A trend that has been evident in almost all of the Central and eastern European countries that we’ve visited is the friendly attitudes of the people that live in these places. And this definitely held true in Romania as well. From old ladies teaching Travis Romanian to people giving us directions when lost, people seemed eager to help and never looked for anything in return.

A mother and baby enjoying the sun

Architectural Wonderland

The amazing architecture of Europe is one of the main reasons that millions of tourists flock there each year. Coming from North America, it is surreal to stare up at gorgeous baroque or renaissance buildings that have existed for longer than Canada was a country. But Romania seems intent on one-upping the rest of the continent. From the huge spired mansions that cover Transylvania, to oversized squares encircled with colourful buildings, to fortified churches and castles – Romanians seem to be in some sort of a competition to build even more inspired architectural designs than those that surround them.

...and another!

So many colourful and beautiful buildings!

Beautiful Natural Landscapes

One of the things we’ve been most surprised about on our trip, and one thing that held true in Romania, was the amazing natural landscapes we encountered. Romania is the kind of country that takes you from high mountain passes to flat “prairie-like” terrain and back again in less than an hour. Bears and wolves will even come into some cities to look for food – there’s not many places like that left in Europe.

The view from atop Rasnov Fortress

The view from atop Rasnov Fortress

The forest surrounding Rasnov

The forest surrounding Rasnov

It still feels Authentic

Because of the lack of tourism, Romania is one of the rare places that seems to be holding on to its authenticity. People traveling by horse-and-cart is not an uncommon sight in the country, and this provides a nice respite from much of the continent. So often we hear travelers looking for places where they can still get an authentic travel experience – well Romania might be a place to consider!

Transportation you are still likely to see in Transylvania

Transportation you are still likely to see in Transylvania

Honestly, we feel like we barely scratched the surface during our 2 weeks in Romania – and that’s because we did just barely scratch the surface. Romania is a huge country with so many different amazing places to explore, and it is definitely a place we can see ourselves coming back to!

Have you ever been to Romania? What did you like or dislike about the country?

Today we’re sharing our thoughts on Romania over at the Sunday Traveler – come check it out for some great travel inspiration!

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Best of the Balkanshttp://haveblogwilltravel.org/best-balkans http://haveblogwilltravel.org/best-balkans#comments Sat, 09 Nov 2013 19:38:24 +0000 http://haveblogwilltravel.org/?p=2014 We considered titling this post “Best of the Countries of the Former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia”, but it just didn’t flow off the tongue in quite the same way. Having now spent more than 6 weeks in all but two of the former countries that made up Yugoslavia (sorry …

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We considered titling this post “Best of the Countries of the Former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia”, but it just didn’t flow off the tongue in quite the same way.

Having now spent more than 6 weeks in all but two of the former countries that made up Yugoslavia (sorry Macedonia and Kosovo!), we felt is was high time we articulated our favorite experiences from this often overlooked region of the world. While not as popular as Southeast Asia or Central America, the entire Balkan region provides diverse history and culture at a fraction of the cost of Western Europe (we averaged $94/day total for 2 people, and we didn’t scrimp on comfort or meals out).

So without further ado, here is our list of the most unforgettable experiences we had in the Balkan region (in no particular order):

Witnessing the spectacular views from Dubrovnik’s Old Town Walls

Hiking the Old Town Walls is perhaps the quintessential Dubrovnik experience. The same structures that once provided protection for the city now provide visitors with some of the most amazing views around. Get there early to avoid the crowds! dubrovnik-city-walls-best-of-balkan_mini

Surviving the Eternal Derby in Belgrade

Attending (and surviving) the Eternal Derby between Red Star and Partizan in Belgrade was probably one of the most thrilling things we’ve ever done while traveling. From the noise to the flares to the fires in the stands, this was not your mother’s North American sporting event. derby3_mini

Hearing the call to prayer for the first time in Sarajevo

Sarajevo (and most of Bosnia for that matter) is an exotic departure from the rest of Europe. Coming from British Columbia, where Muslims constitute less than 2% of the population, hearing the call to prayer from our open window in Sarajevo for the first time was  a surreal experience – and one we will not soon forget.sarajevo-night-from-window_mini

Hiking through Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice has it all, crystal clear turquoise lakes teeming with fish, countless waterfalls, beautiful wooden walkways and bridges, and hundreds of kilometers of hiking trails. It is truly one of the most beautiful national parks we’ve ever been to – and we live in British Columbia!plitvice-best-of-balkan_mini

Stuffing ourselves with fresh seafood on the Adriatic Coast

One of the best things about traveling through the Adriatic towns in Montenegro, Croatia, and Slovenia was the abundance and affordability of seafood. Fresh fish and squids are available nearly everywhere along the coast, and you can easily get more than you can eat for less than $10.seafood-dubrovnik-croatia

Getting lost in Sarajevo’s Baščaršija

Sarajevo’s old Ottoman market (or Baščaršija) is unlike any other market you are likely to see in Europe. Built in the 15th century, the marketplaces contains a maze of wooden shops selling everything from traditional Turkish coffee pots to tourist souvenirs. Be sure to fill your water up at the fountain in the courtyard of the 16th century Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque.bascarsija-sarajevo-bosnia

Exploring Lake Bled and the Vintgar Gorge

From the moment we put Slovenia into our plans we knew that Lake Bled was going to be a must-see place – and it didn’t disappoint. However, what we didn’t expect was to find one of the most beautiful little parks we’ve ever set foot in, the Vintgar Gorge.vintgar-gorge-slovenia-bled

Discovering Ancient Cities along the Bay of Kotor

The UNESCO-listed Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor is one of the most dramatic locations in all of the Balkans. A place with something for everyone, this region of Montenegro has everything from hiking and kayaking to walled cities and island churches. If that wasn’t enough, the bay is breathtakingly beautiful. perast-montenegro-balkans

Kayaking the crystal blue waters of the Adriatic

A spur of the moment email to a young tour company based out of Split, Croatia ended up providing us with one of the most fun adventures we had in the whole region. Spending a day  seeing the city from the sea is a completely different experience, and one we would wholeheartedly recommend.

kayaking-split-croatia

Learning about the history of Yugoslavia throughout the region

One of the things that we found most prevalent among the incredibly friendly people we met throughout the Balkans was their openness in talking about the wars and the breakup of Yugoslavia. From tour guides to our hosts to people we met in trains, everyone was willing to share their stories of the war times with us – and we were more than happy to listen and learn about such an important subject (and one we knew relatively little about before visiting!).Mostar-Bosnia-Balkans

So there you have it…our favorites from the Balkan region. Have you ever been to any of these countries? What did we miss?

 

Sharing this post over at Chasing the Donkey – check out all the submissions for some great travel inspiration!

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Top 5 Sloveniahttp://haveblogwilltravel.org/top-5-slovenia http://haveblogwilltravel.org/top-5-slovenia#comments Sat, 26 Oct 2013 16:15:12 +0000 http://haveblogwilltravel.org/?p=1795 During our 2 weeks in Slovenia we managed to see as much of the country as possible, and we enjoyed every minute of it. Here are our top 5 “musts” when visiting Slovenia.   Gorging on a Squid Extravaganza in Piran Looking at Calli’s face as we were walking out …

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During our 2 weeks in Slovenia we managed to see as much of the country as possible, and we enjoyed every minute of it. Here are our top 5 “musts” when visiting Slovenia.

 

Gorging on a Squid Extravaganza in Piran

Looking at Calli’s face as we were walking out of Piran to the bus stop would have broken the hearts of even the surliest of men. She was sad – not only to be leaving this delightful coastal gem, but also to be leaving the fresh-caught squids that we indulged on for lunch and dinner every day.

A squid extravaganza!

Mmmm squids!

 

Going Deep Underground at the Skocjan Caves

Slovenia is known for its caves, and the Skocjan Caves are perhaps the best example of this. Formed by the Reka River as it carved through the coastal Karst region of the country, Skocjan is full of stunning stalactites and stalagmites – plus a bridge that will take your breath away!

The Cerkvenik Bridge

The Cerkvenik Bridge

 

Wandering aimlessly through Ljubljana

Whether you do this as part of a free walking tour, or just by yourself, you can’t help but admire the charming streets and squares of Slovenia’s prettiest city – Ljubljana. Don’t walk too much though, and make sure to set aside time to sit and people watch with a good coffee or a Human Fish Pale Ale (one of the best beers we’ve had in Europe!).

The main square and triple bridge at night

Ljubljana’s main square and the triple bridge at night

 

Hiking the Vintgar Gorge

Many a tourist makes it to Bled (see below), and for good reason. But only a disappointingly small number make it to one of Slovenia’s most amazing natural landscapes – the Vintgar Gorge. With sheer walls towering up over 300 feet in spots, you walk along 100 year old wooden walkways that cling to the rock faces until you reach the 43-foot Sum Falls at its end.

The breathtaking Vintgar Gorge!

The breathtaking Vintgar Gorge!

 

Strolling around Lake Bled

Probably the most famous Slovenian attraction, this postcard-perfect glacial lake makes the perfect (and most popular) daytrip from Ljubljana. A stroll around the lake is the perfect way to spend a morning or afternoon, and when coupled with a boat trip out to the Island Church or a hike up to Bled Castle it makes for a perfect day.

The iconic Island on Lake Bled

The iconic Lake Bled

 

Have you ever been to Slovenia? What did you like or dislike – let us know in the comments section!

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Poland – Our Top 5http://haveblogwilltravel.org/poland-top-5 http://haveblogwilltravel.org/poland-top-5#comments Wed, 09 Oct 2013 13:07:49 +0000 http://haveblogwilltravel.org/?p=1502 After two and a half weeks exploring Poland, we are sad to move on – so is the life of a backpacker. Looking back, we’ve learned so much about a country that, unfortunately, rarely tops the travel itineraries of most North Americans. Here is a quick summary of our favorite, …

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After two and a half weeks exploring Poland, we are sad to move on – so is the life of a backpacker. Looking back, we’ve learned so much about a country that, unfortunately, rarely tops the travel itineraries of most North Americans. Here is a quick summary of our favorite, miss at your own peril, must see attractions in Poland.

 

Wawel Castle, Krakow

Offering stunning architecture and wonderful views of the surrounding city, and encased in a lush park-like setting, Wawel Castle is a jaw-dropper and easily the most photogenic of Krakow’s attractions.

Wawel-Castle-Krakow_mini

 

Wroclaw, all of it

It didn’t take long for Wroclaw to claw its way into our hearts. A charming city full of ornate architecture, bridges and waterways, and adorable gnomes, Wroclaw is still relatively unknown to the international travel community, although we don’t expect it to stay that way for long!

Some of the restored buildings lining Wroclaw's massive market square

Some of the restored buildings lining Wroclaw’s massive market square

 

Warsaw’s Old Town on Foot (via Michal of Orange Umbrella Tours if you’re lucky)

We are BIG fans of free walking tours and Michal of Orange Umbrella Tours led us on one of the best tours we have ever taken, paid or tip-based. Winding our way through the Old Town, we were immersed in Warsaw’s unique history and surrounded by it’s beautifully reconstructed buildings. Yes, you could explore the area on your own, but why?

Warsaw-Old-Town-Square_mini

 

Sample different styles of pierogies in Torun

Although we ate a lot of pierogies during our time in Poland, Torun offered a good range of different types and styles of the delicious dumplings including traditional boiled pierogies, ones made with a pastry shell, and enormous fried versions. Pierogarnia is a restaurant with two locations in the city offering the delicious dumplings, just get there early or you’ll have to wait for a table!pierogies 2

 

Amber shopping in Gdansk

Although amber jewelry can be found throughout Poland, Gdansk has the best prices, selection, and atmosphere. Even if bling isn’t your thing, Mariacka Street is visually stunning and worth a visit.

mariacka-street_mini

 

Honorable Mention: Auschwitz Concentration Camp

Our visit to the Auschwitz Concentration Camp can be summed up with one word: heartbreaking. However one difficult day pales in comparison to the days, months, and years the detainees spent locked away, tortured, and murdered. It’s impossible to fully grasp the horrors of the Holocaust without taking them in first hand and as you move throughout the buildings and streets the site somehow finds a way to giveback and everything that is truly important in life becomes clear before your eyes.

 

As I was speaking to my mom on the phone the other night she exclaimed “I never wanted to visit Poland until I saw your pictures!”. A smile spread across my face because this is the very reason Travis and I take the time to write about and share the places we visit. Poland is a truly amazing country with much to offer visitors and is most definitely worth a visit!

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Italy – Our Top 10http://haveblogwilltravel.org/italy-our-top-10 http://haveblogwilltravel.org/italy-our-top-10#respond Mon, 26 Nov 2012 13:29:00 +0000 http://haveblogwilltravel.org/?p=60 During our nearly one month stay in Italy we were able to visit an array of different regions and cities. To wrap up our trip, before moving onto Vienna and Berlin, here are our top ten Italian experiences. Ancient Rome No trip to Italy is complete without visiting the Colosseum. …

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During our nearly one month stay in Italy we were able to visit an array of different regions and cities. To wrap up our trip, before moving onto Vienna and Berlin, here are our top ten Italian experiences.
Ancient Rome
No trip to Italy is complete without visiting the Colosseum. One of the Seven Wonders of the World, it is not only extremely impressive, even by today’s standards, but also a testament to the building acumen of the ancient Romans. If that wasn’t enough, you can walk in the footsteps of Augustus, Caesar, and the rest of Rome’s important historical figures in the ruins of the Roman Imperial Forum and Palatine Hill.
The Colosseum – the centre of Ancient Rome

Cinque Terre

Five cities perched on the Ligurian coast caused us to forget everything – blog posts, TV, calling home, and even bickeringif only for a few days. Rightly a UNESCO World Heritage Site, these five cities still seem to operate the same way they have for hundreds of years, oblivious to the millions of tourists flocking to see them every year.
Riomaggiore – our home for 4 days

Pompeii and Herculaneum

Perhaps the best opportunity to step back nearly 2000 years and explore a fully functioning Roman city – from palaces and temples to storefronts, cafeterias, and small family homes. Ironically, by being destroyed, Pompeii and Herculaneum survived, untouched and avoided the slow degradation of generation upon generation building on top of each other.
Pompeii – destroyed but not gone
Burano
A photographer’s playground, with it’s brightly painted houses and winding canals, Burano provides the authenticity that Venice is now missing. Even as water buses deposit groups of tourists on the island hourly, it somehow manages to retain a laid back, peaceful feeling.
Burano – full of colour
Sculpture
With the likes of Michelangelo, Raphael, Donatello, and Bernini (wait, he wasn’t a ninja turtle), the Italians easily dominate in the field of sculpture and there’s no better place to bask in the glory of their masterpieces than Florence. The Uffizi, Bargello, and Accademia museums feature works by these famous sculptors as well as many others.
Giasone – one of our favorite sculptures in Italy
The Vatican Museum
Our favorite Italian museum (that we’ve visited), and a serious contender for best overall, the Vatican Museum won us over with it’s collections which are large both in size and scope. From ancient Egyptian artifacts, to Greek and Roman sculptures, classical and modern paintings, and the museum’s architecture, the museum offers something for everyone – and it’s also home to the Sistine Chapel.
The Raphael Rooms – one of art’s great achievements
Pizza
Naples may be credited with the invention of this tasty dish, however we found restaurants throughout the country serving up mouth watering versions. Our favorites were Senzanome, in Florence, and Dar Poeta, in Rome.
Pizza at Senzanome
Montemartini
Unable to get enough sculpture in Florence, we added a trip to the Montemartini Museum to our Roman itinerary and were blown away at the exhibition space – a historic electric plant. The contrast between the soft white marble sculptures and dark metal engines, valves, and pipes is gorgeous and provides a great photo opportunity as well.
Juxtaposition at Montemartini
Basilica San Marco
Unrivaled for the title of most opulent by anything we’ve seen to date, Basilica San Marco makes up for what it lacks in size and scale with an abundance of sparkling gold mosaics. The lavish exterior, situated next to the equally stunning Doge’s Palace, and mosaic covered interior leave visitors with a true understanding of how rich and powerful this republic really was.
Basilica San Marco – one of the best in the world
The Pantheon
Was it famous before Dan Brown included it in his best selling novel Angels and Demons? If so, it’s impossible to tell now, as visitors flock to the site hoping to glimpse a hidden symbol, or at least Raphael’s tomb – which actually isn’t that easy to spot. However for us, the building’s architecture is the real draw.
The Pantheon – an architectural marvel
A reminder, many more photos from our time in Italy, as well as the entire trip through Europe can be found on our Flickr page.

Hope you enjoyed our list…think we missed anything? Let us know!

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Spain – Our Top 10http://haveblogwilltravel.org/spain-our-top-10 http://haveblogwilltravel.org/spain-our-top-10#comments Mon, 05 Nov 2012 18:18:00 +0000 http://haveblogwilltravel.org/?p=84 Over our four weeks in Spain we were able to cover a lot of ground, visiting Madrid, Barcelona, and a number of cities in Andalusia with a short stopover in Lisbon part way through. Here are our favorite sites, most memorable meals, and must see attractions from our time in …

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Over our four weeks in Spain we were able to cover a lot of ground, visiting Madrid, Barcelona, and a number of cities in Andalusia with a short stopover in Lisbon part way through. Here are our favorite sites, most memorable meals, and must see attractions from our time in beautiful Spain!Mezquita

If you’ve had a chance to read up on our visit to the Mezquita in Cordoba, it’s probably not a surprise that it took the top spot. From our first steps inside we were captivated by the forest of red and white arches, while the detail of the Mihrab and the stunning Renaissance chapel and alter rendered us speechless for the duration of our visit.

Segovia
A popular day trip from Madrid, Segovia grabbed out attention with it’s stunning aqueducts and held it throughout the afternoon with a display of breathtaking viewpoints, a fairytale like alcazar, and an incredible gothic cathedral.

 

Markets Galore
Travis may go for the food and Calli for anything kitschy, but in the end cheap prices and people watching is the great equalizer. We’ve found wonderful markets throughout Spain, from La Boqueria in Barcelona to San Miquel Market in Madrid, and wonderful small flea markets throughout Andalucia, we definitely got our fill of window shopping.
 
The last and greatest palace complex of the Moorish civilization in Spain is not only Granada’s crowning jewel but a definite must see as well. The lines may be long, the admission process a bit convoluted, and the site expansive, but any confusion and sore feet are immediately forgotten upon entering the Nasrid Palace.

Like much of Andalucia, the beauty within this building lies in the seamless melding of Islam and Christianity. Rennaisance ceilings in some rooms, intricate tile work in others, and a central garden and reflecting pond made famous by Ridley Scott. 

Gaudi devoted over forty years to shaping Barcelona’s architectural landscape and today, the city, and millions of tourists each year, pay homage to his creative genius. With seven of his buildings categorized as protected UNESCO World Heritage sites there are plenty of chances to contemplate his unique style.

Although the French Impressionists at the Thyssen topped our list of Top 10 Art – Spain and Portugal, the Prado museum won us over in the end. With a seemingly endless collection of paintings and sculpture it’s possible to spend a week here and still not see everything.

 
Madrid’s Architecture

From the Cathedral to the Royal Palace to the Piazza Mayor to the Gran Via, no city thus far (except maybe Zagreb) has put on such a display of architecture. Wandering through the city we didn’t know where to look next, or where to focus the camera.
 

 

Plaza de Espana
Hearing it was a worth a look, we decided to wander towards Parque de Maria Luisa one morning during our time in Seville. We ended up spending half the morning exploring and photographing the amazing Plaza de Espana. In a city boasting one of the largest cathedrals in the world and the only alcazar still in use in Europe, the Plaza has some heavy competition and it definitely holds its own.
 

 

We had a blast walking around the stadium, watching old people scream at the players, and laughing as a young guy paced up and down the aisles “coaching” the players and yelling instructions to the (actual) coach across the stadium. Oh and seeing a 30 yard volley to win the game in the 94th minute wasn’t too bad either.
 

 

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Halfway Point – The Numbershttp://haveblogwilltravel.org/halfway-point-the-numbers http://haveblogwilltravel.org/halfway-point-the-numbers#respond Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:27:00 +0000 http://haveblogwilltravel.org/?p=91 As we mentioned previously, our first day in Malaga marked the halfway point for our trip. Here is a breakdown of the numbers – both important and trivial. Days Traveled = 61   Cities Visited = 23  The view over Granada, Spain  Beds Slept In = 16   Beds with …

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As we mentioned previously, our first day in Malaga marked the halfway point for our trip. Here is a breakdown of the numbers – both important and trivial.
Days Traveled = 61
 
Cities Visited = 23 

The view over Granada, Spain

 Beds Slept In = 16

 
Beds with Amazing Faux-Animal-Hide Bedspreads = 2
We’ve seen TWO of these
Brands of Beer Sampled = 23
Spontaneous Street Zumba Classes Witnessed = 1Check out the video here

Churches Entered = 19

The Mezquita in Cordoba (posts coming soon!)
Photos Taken = 5620
Soccer Games Attended = 2 (hopefully this will be more by the end!) 
Warmup at the Atletico Madrid Game we attended
 Kilometers Walked = 652 (give or take a few)
Walking to our accommodations in Plitvice NP

 

 UNESCO World Heritage Sites = 13
Trogir, Croatia – A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Foxes Spotted in Downtown London = 1

 
Dollars Spent Per Day = 148
 
Posts Written = 54
 
Gyros Eaten = 19

Still makes Calli’s mouth water

 Loads of Laundry Washed = 8

50 Euro Bills Lost = 1
 
50 Euro Bills Found = 1
 
Rainy Days = 7

Thunderstorm in Kotor, Montenegro

Museums Visited = 11

Natural History Museum, London

 

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