Travel

Santa Ynez, California Travel Guide

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The state of California is known worldwide for its wines which seem to be made in almost any part of the state you go to. While places like Napa and Sonoma may get most of their fame and attention, there are many other towns where great wines are grown. Perhaps some of you have already heard of a little town called Santa Ynez but maybe some of you haven’t. This laid-back town is situated just up the highway from Santa Barbara where the climate seems so different.

One of such places you can explore is Presque Isle winery. A guide will take you on a grand tour to show you how the wines are made. You will get a bit of a history and science lesson all at once as you will learn about what made the Santa Ynez Valley where Santa Ynez is located such a special place for winemaking. You will even get to sit down and sample some of the favorites here as the guides explain the different nuances of what made each particular blend different and how the soils and weathers affected those flavors.

Just down the street is the tiny town of Solvang which is an enclave of Danish influence. Here nearly all the town’s buildings looked like they have been plucked right off the streets of Copenhagen. Solvang draws a lot of tourists from around the world. It definitely has a lot of charm and you can even try one of the Danishes from the Danish bakery across the street.

For the afternoon, you can saddle up the Fess Parker Winery and fox and canyon or ride the horseback through the family’s pastures and vineyards. This land was home to most of the meat wine and vegetables that are sold in the local farmers market. The story of the farm-to-table culture that is really caught on not only here in Santa Ynez but across much of California is really an interesting one. 714 acres of this estate are dedicated to sustainable farming practices and they are well known for raising their Wagyu cattle here that produces superior beef.

At night, you can have dinner at the Bear and Star restaurant where Chef John Cox gets to take you on a quick tour of the chef’s room as well as a private dining area hidden behind a wall of wine. The menu featured many dishes showcasing the Wagyu beef from down the street as well as many other culinary delights. One of the most prized specialties here is the dry-aged cowboy cut rib eyes.

If you are looking for a little trip to get away and enjoy somewhere that has a slower pace on your average big city, you should check out Santa Ynez and its surrounding towns.

Travel

Slovenia’s top destinations

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Located in the heart of Central Europe is the small country of Slovenia, famous for its surreal vistas, crystal clear lakes and ski terrains. If you’re looking for a place with an abundance of outdoor activities, Slovenia has you covered, as its diverse terrains ranging from the Julian Alps, down the Logat Valley and into the Mediterranean Sea is filled with activities to do and sites to see. If you’re planning to visit this country, don’t miss out on visiting the dynamic cities and charming villages along the way.

Triglav National Park
A great place to start of your tour in Slovenia is the Triglav National Park, located in the northwest part of the country. The National Park was established in 1981 and its name derives from the highest peak in Slovenia, Mt. Triglav which rises 2864 meters tall. The picture perfect mountain slopes with valleys beneath, present a spectacular scenery for all visitors to ejnoy, along the way you’ll encounter many cultural attractions as well. The Triglav National Park features an abundance of activities such as hiking, site seeing on the well-organized trails that lead through the Julian Alps, mountain climbing on some of the 400 peaks that reach 2000 meters above sea level or skiing at the Vogel resort during winter.

Ljubljana
Ljubljana is the capital and the largest city in Slovenia, well known for being one of Europe’s greenest and most desired places to live, as the city flourishes with greenery and car traffic is restricted in the center of the city. The city being the political, cultural and economic center of Slovenia is also home to a number of museums which display historical and cultural relics, as well as modern art. Ljubljana is also home to a large number of university students from abroad A major attraction in the city is Tromostrovje, also known as the Triple Bridge, where three bridges one after the other span across the river creating a picturesque view, for people to enjoy whiles wondering around the bank of the Ljubljanica river.

Maribor
Just a 30 minute drive from the capital Ljubljana, is the second largest city of Slovenia embed in the green Pohorje Mountains. Visitors often overlook Maribor as the city of Ljubljana steals all the attention it deserves. Maribor is quite a lively city although it’s often views a natural retreat, it mainly popular for its vast vineyards stretching across the hillsides. Presumably the most popular attraction in Maribor is Zametovka, the oldest noble vine in the entire world, estimated to be more than 450 years old, it’s located in the center of the city. The Maribor Lent District has a number of cozy restaurants and bars where people can get a taste of traditional Slovenian cuisine and the world-renowned wine.

Lake Bled
Considered by many to be Slovenia’s prize jewel and a main attraction is Lake Bled, the entire city of Bled seems like it came out of a fairy tale. The alpine lakes has its own island which rises in the middle of its green waters, back dropped by the verdant forests and medieval castles, resulting in some of the most amazing idyllic scenery you’ll ever come across. There are a number of activities that you can do in this majestic place, the most appealing one in my term, taking a kayak to the 17th century church, located on the island in the center of the lake. There is a local tale that says if imagine a wish whiles ringing the bell and listening to it, your wish will come true.

Travel

Visiting Auckland, New Zealand

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With a population of about two million people, Auckland is the most populous city in New Zealand. Auckland is the perfect place to explore the hidden coves and scenic coastline of the North Island. This city has more boats than anywhere else in the world, no wonder it is nicknamed the City of Sails.

Water is never far away as this city is nestled between two natural harbors. Rangitoto Island is the biggest landmark in Auckland. This island can be seen from all over the city. Recently, some people I know that work for a company that does roof repair work, decided to take advantage of some quiet time in the company to visit Auckland. They were not disappointed with everything to see. As the biggest city in New Zealand, Auckland has plenty of cultures, spacious urban parks, and modern malls. Elliot Stables is one of these places you can enjoy breakfast.

Nearby is Queen Street where you can walk along. You can also explore the major attractions in the city on a hop on/hop off the bus. Visit the trendy restaurants and shops in Auckland’s hippest strip, Ponsonby. Enjoy the inner city beach by walking along the promenade of Mission Bay.

The Ferry Terminal is the most characteristic building on this city’s waterfront. Enjoy a seafood lunch by heading to the nearby Devonport. You could spend some days exploring Auckland’s bay and cosmopolitan streets but you will find its main attraction beyond the city’s limits: Unspoiled nature.

Auckland has a rugged coastline with rolling hills and dramatic cliffs that are simply stunning. Enjoy a treetop walk to see more of the unique Fauna and Flora of New Zealand by driving to the rainforest of the Waitakere Ranges. It is a regional park located in the western part of the city.

Piha Beach is a popular spot with experienced surfers. The beaches on the west coast are also stunning and no matter the one you choose, they are all good for long walks on the beach, paddling, fishing, and building sand castles.

Auckland’s Domain is the main park of the city. Here you can watch the locals as they play cricket. It is also the ideal spot to get tuned into the typical laid-back lifestyle of this remote island nation.

See the treasures and hear the story of the native Maori people at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. About a thousand years ago, their ancestors sailed here and their fierce culture is still alive today.

At the Auckland Zoo, children can meet and treat the African Savanna animals. Before the sunset, drive or hike to the summit of Mount Eden to see as the lights reveal the finest buildings in the city.

Auckland’s easygoing lifestyle, family-friendly attractions, untouched nature, and unique history make it a top destination for millions of visitors every year.

Travel

Tips for traveling on a budget

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My parent’s idea of a holiday vacation was traveling over to my aunt’s weekend house and staying there for the course of the weekend. My family couldn’t afford the pleasure of staying in a luxury vile by the sea or let alone a road trip across Europe, so growing up I had no idea what I was missing out on. But after beginning my master’s year in college I soon realize that traveling is highly expensive and if I was going to travel the world, I had to figure out some tips and tricks to cut down my expenses and make the most of what I had. Now, don’t get me wrong but if you are going to travel around the word or even abroad, you’ll be needing a certain amount of money in order to do so, there is no other way around it. Here are some cheap tricks and tips to travel on a budget.

Choosing a less popular destination

Now if you don’t have any specific country or destination you want to visit, I recommend choosing a destination that flies under the radar. There are several upsides on choosing a less popular traveling destination, for one plane tickets are much cheaper and you can book one much closer to the day of departure unlike booking a plane ticket to a popular destination like Israel or Iceland. Apart from the plane ticket itself, traveling to a less flashy destination means that almost everything will be cheaper, from delicious eateries, to ticket prices, dinning out, lodging and rental cars.

Find cheap accommodation

Finding a cheap place to stay is crucial if your limited budget is going to last throughout the trip. There are several hotel alternatives to choose from ranging from hostel services, which offer travelers rooms or apartments for a cheaper price and you have the option of booking in advanced. Another money saving idea is couchsurfing.com, which is an app where you can stay on a locals couch or if you’re lucky on a bed for free. And of course if you happen to own a tent, why not bring it with you, especially if the traveling destination you choose, has some great outdoor locations to see.

Work and Travel

Another way to only save a little bit of money but earn some as well is to work abroad, as more and more people are working their way around the world. Working abroad allows travelers to really get under the skin of a country, as travelers have more time to explore the land, learn more about its culture and form more meaningful connections with the locals. If you have a TOEFL certificate, you can travel to Asia or South America and teach English, another option for seasonal work is WWOOF, a worldwide organization where volunteers exchange their working hand for a place to stay and some food to eat. Cruise ships also offer seasonal jobs to people, where you can work your way whiles traveling to some of the most spectacular places in the world.

Having a daily budget

Prior to traveling I should mention that you should always do a research on the country you’re about to visit and come with a realistic daily budget. After the research, it’s easier for you to come up with a daily budget on how much you should be spending a day, as you’re going to be more aware that your bank balance is not infinite but in fact limited. Another way to limit expenses is to have the daily budget you set out for yourself, with you in cash. Whiles traveling this will allow you to keep track of how much you’re actually spending and how much you have remaining.

Share your cost

Sharing the cost of basically anything is much easier if you’re traveling with friends or company, but even if you’re traveling by yourself it’s still very much doable. To do this you literally just have to ask people in your hostel if they want to team up for food, activities, lifts pre drinks or whatever it may be, the most common answer you’ll get is yes, cause believe it or not everyone is trying to save money, the bonus side of this is that you may end up making friends with this fellow travelers.

Israel

Tel Aviv – PurimPurim

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Israel is well known for its history and culture, its ruins and museums, its coasts and beaches, its mountains and breathtaking landscapes. But unfortunately also for its troubled story and violent conflicts. However, those who decide to spend some time in this engaging country with its only 9 million people will experience the heartwarming hospitality of the middle east.

Purim – History

One of the biggest dates in the Hebrew calender is the Purim festival, or festival of lots.

It is celebrated in remembrance of the salvation of the Jewish people during the Achaemenid Persian Empire. Following a dispute, Haman, the royal vizier to King Ahasuerus of Persia gave orders to have all Jews in the Empire killed. He drew a lot to decide on the date of the massacre which was to be on the 13^th of Adar, according to the Hebrew calender.

Esther, who was to become Queen of Persia, stepped in to save them and the day of doom turned into a day of feasting for the Jews. Today, Purim (pur in Hebrew can be translated as lot or fate) is celebrated on the 14^th of Adar, which is when the battle was won. Depending on the Hebrew calender, this day would usually be in February or March.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEWqWAIPNsk

Purim – Celebrations

There is numerous facets to the celebrations around this holiday. Traditionally it involves exchanging foods and drinks, giving to charities and the poor, sharing the se’ndat meal and reading of the megillah (the Scroll of Esther), usually in a synagogue. Special prayers and graces after meals are being said to commemorate the occasion. Children rehearse songs and plays to perform for they schools and families.

If you picture a silent, conservative holiday now, let us take a closer look at the bustling metropolis of Tel Aviv. Whereas the whole country enjoys the holiday related customs of dressing up in fancy dresses and eating and drinking from sunset to nightfall, due to its size, inhabitants and infrastructure, the city of Tel Aviv turns into a big party you simply cannot escape. This holiday leaves a strong impression of being the Jewish version of carnival. The cities streets, countless bars and restaurants are filled with people who share a meal and their joy and dance together. Wherever you look you will find colourful, flamboyant dresses and make-ups.

It truly feels like all the political tension, religious conflicts, fears and worries fall off the people of Israel for this day and they simply celebrate being together after, or despite, everything that has happened, so go on and join them!