I’m currently in Bologna, Italy as part of the BlogVille project on behalf of my own Our Tasty Travels and No Checked Bags blogs. The project is sponsored by the Emilia Romagna Tourism Board, and I think it’s safe to say on behalf of the other bloggers here, we have all fallen in love with Bologna and the Emilia Romagna region as a whole.

“But why?”

That’s the question I keep getting from friends and even a few readers back home.

Uhh, have you not seen the hundred or so photos and status messages I’ve posted over the last few days???

Sitting here in Bologna, I have to admit I am surprised by how much I have fallen in love with the city. I’ve done some of the big bucket list Italy stops like Venice, Rome, Naples, and Pompeii in the past. As much as I longed to see these stops after my brief major in Art History during college, I haven’t been back to Italy since 2006.

I was fascinated by what I saw and experienced, but apparently it was not enough to motivate me to return to Italy anytime over the past six years.  When the opportunity for BlogVille came up – and I was accepted – it seemed like a sign I was meant to return to Italy again.

Bologna and the entire Emilia Romagna region that I’ve seen so far are vastly different from major tourist cities like Venice, Rome, and the like.

Bologna Moves at a Different Pace

The pace is much slower than other Italian cities I’ve visited. In Naples they warned us about even trying to cross the street on a green signal as there is a good chance you may still be run over. Here in Bologna, I was able to stand in the middle of the main street at one point to snap a photo of the two towers, a landmark of the city.

View of Bologna from the Asinelli Tower

English is Widely Spoken

Surprisingly, the number of English speakers here is quite high. While we’ve tried to muddle through with a blend of broken Italian and Spanish, we’ve encountered English speakers everywhere – from restaurant servers to taxi drivers, making it an easy city to navigate.

In Bologna, we have found a number of people speak English

Emilia Romagna is Cheaper

While I can’t speak for the entire region, it is noticeably cheaper here than other parts of Italy I’ve visited. Some cafes still charge extra for sitting versus standing, but in general, I have not noticed the “tourist gouge” that other cities are noted for.

Statue of Neptune in Piazza Maggiore, the main square which has cafes and shops that are much less expensive than other parts of Italy

Bologna Equals Good Food

One thing that will come out through all my upcoming posts about BlogVille is the insane love I’ve developed with food here. Italian is one type of cuisine that doesn’t typically rank as one of “my must haves” or even place in my top 5. The one item that previously did is pizza from Naples, especially when made with tomatoes grown in the volcanic ash of Pompeii. I found the food in Rome and other places to be very good, but it did not “wow” me per se.

The food here definitely has that “wow” factor. So much so that I am honestly considering road trips back to Emilia Romagna when I get settled in the Netherlands just to pick up meats, cheese, and maybe a few homemade pastas.  I’ve eaten more pasta in the last four days than I usually eat in a year and surprisingly I am not sick of it in the least. In fact, after taking a pasta making class, it’s quite possible I will be attempting some of these traditional specialties at home soon.

The food in Bologna is legendary and some of the best I've experienced in my travels

Bologna Feels Safe

While I am sure some crime exists here, that constant panic and concern about pickpockets or winding up robbed in a dark alley somewhere have vanished. As a female, this is one area I would feel safe being a solo traveler in or walking home later in the evening from a restaurant or bar.

Typical small alley street visible in many parts of Bologna

Emilia Romagna is Inviting

Unlike so many of the rude people I’ve often encountered in bigger cities, nearly everyone I’ve had interactions with here has been quite friendly and helpful. They are welcoming to foreigners and seem pleased to have tourists here discovering all the elements that make Bologna such a charming city.

Me and Nick, from Emilia Romagna Tourism and the "master of the house" for BlogVille

While I’m here on behalf of BlogVille and the Emilia Romagna Tourism Board, all views and opinions expressed are my own.

First Impressions of Bologna, Italy is a post from Art of Backpacking

Except for pious believers longing to visit the Holy Land, many travelers probably don’t know much about other Israel attractions beyond Old Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and the Dead Sea. Thus, this post will uncover some other excellent Israel attractions that are less popular or almost entirely off-the-beaten-path.

Haifa

Haifa is a beautiful city on the hills of Mount Carmel, approximately 90 km (56 mi) north of Tel Aviv. It has a multicultural population and history overflow, having been ruled by more than ten civilizations in the past 3,000 years. The most popular Haifa attraction is the impressive Bahá’í World Centre, with its stunning terraces and Shrine of the Báb. Moreover, on my solo female Middle East road trip, Haifa served as the perfect base to explore other interesting Northern Israel attractions such as historical Caesarea, Akko (Acre), Nazareth, Adamit Park, and Rosh HaNikra.

View of Haifa Bay from the top of the Baha'i Gardens (Southern Kross, Flickr)

Sea of Galilee

Also known as Lake Kinneret, the Sea of Galilee is one of the must-see Israel attractions (even if you are not a follower of Jesus). Not only the Romans, but also the Hasmoneans and the Greeks founded towns along its shores. As a result, there are several historical sites to explore in the region. Some of the top attractions include Beit She’an National Park (1st-2nd century Roman city), Mount Arbel National Park (best hiking in the area), Mount Tabor, and of course, cycling around and taking a dip in one of the Galilee’s beaches.

Roman theatre wall at Beit She'an National Park (Dana, Flickr)

Tzfat

Founded around the 2nd century BC, Tzfat is one of the up-and-coming Israel attractions. A pilgrimage site to Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism followers, the town has a unique vibe. While wandering the artists’ quarter and taking in the natural views are almost enough to feel the New Age energy, there are more things to do here. Particularly, art lovers are in for a feast. A visit to the Museum of Hungarian Speaking Jewry, the Bedouin village of Alsra, the General Exhibition (an Ottoman-era mosque turned art museum), and the HaMeiri Museum (depicting the Tsfatian struggles) are musts.

Tzfat streets (Louise Palanker, Flickr)

Akhzivland

If you really want to go off the beaten path, and even outside Israel itself, go to Akhzivland. Only 5 km away from Lebanon and 4 km (2.5 mi) north of Nahariya, it is “a tiny self-proclaimed independent state” since the 1950′s (Lonely Planet). In addition to receiving an extremely rare passport stamp by the sole inhabitant Mr. Eli Avivi, Akhzivland graces you with beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea and a random museum with an array of old, odd artifacts. Definitely a unique place to write home (or your readers) about!

Eli Avivi's castle (TAM, Flickr)

Have you been to any of these Israel attractions?
Do you have any others to add to this list?

Israel attractions: Beyond Jerusalem and Tel Aviv is a post from Art of Backpacking

Starting today till May 24th, we’ll be in Fiji sponsored by Tourism Fiji and Air Pacific!

I’ve never been to Fiji. I know very little about the country and its culture so it’ll be all completely new to me.

Here’s just a few of the activities I’ll be doing and writing.

• Shark Diving! Never done this before. I’m a certified open water diver but I never thought I’d be shark diving when I got my certificate.
• Coconut Tree climbing. I love a good coconut juice.
• Drinking Kava and the unearthing of Lovo (Food cooked underground)
• Experiencing the local culture at a Fijian village.
• Whitewater rafting. I didn’t even know Fiji had rivers for rafting!
• Chill on the beach.. (one of my favorite parts)

Expect to see the local cuisine of Fiji on our app Eat The World as we eat our way through Fiji (and possibly gain weight along the way).

Follow us as we take you around Fiji for the new few days on our social media networks. We’ll be using the #FijiMe hashtag. Here’s how:

Follow along with Michael:

• Twitter: @artofbackpackin
• Facebook Page
• Google+

Follow along with Stephanie:

• Twenty-Something Travel
• Twitter: @20sTravel
• Facebook Page

Have Pinterest? Check out our #Fijime Pinterest board.

We’re going to take photos and  videos of everything in Fiji…

Fiji Beach by globetravelers, on Flickr

I’m Going To Fiji Today! #FijiMe is a post from Art of Backpacking

Since I moved away from California and its endless supply of authentic Mexican restaurants in 2009, I have spent the past three years hopelessly searching for decent Mexican food abroad — especially in Taiwan.

Yeah…I know.

Obviously, Taiwan is not likely to be home to some of the world’s best tacos, but I always held out hope that eventually I would find something that didn’t result in a call back home to Mom in hopes she had figured out a way to overnight me some.

And for a bit, we were living la vida loca with a great local place that not only had decent food but the best passion fruit margaritas on earth (with real passion fruit, no syrup extract!) And then, like all good things, my taco train came to an end.

It’s now early May and that brings Cinco de Mayo and feelings of bitterness that last over all the subsequent days of the month. While all my friends are posting pics of delicious tacos, guacamole, and certainly lots of tequila and cerveza, I am usually brooding in some remote destination that wouldn’t know a taco if it hit them in the head.

Until now! Finally someone was clued in to the importance of expats needing a good taco fix now and then — meet my new vice, Macho Tacos in Taipei.

Macho Tacos in Taipei, Taiwan

Macho Tacos now has two locations in Taipei and serves Baja style tacos and burritos, complete with a fish taco option that makes me feel like I am back in San Diego, California. You are quickly reminded that it’s Taipei though when you peruse the meat options for tacos…chicken, beef, pork, or tofu! It wouldn’t be a local restaurant without a tofu option.

Carnitas Soft Taco at Macho Tacos

The menu at Macho Tacos is pretty simple — tacos, burritos, quesadillas, burrito bowls, and nachos.  The prices are reasonable for Western food in Taipei, which can sometimes be quite expensive. For about $5 US, you can get three meat (carne asada, carnitas, or chicken) tacos, or for a bit more, you can get the three fish tacos. Right now, they are running a special Taco Tuesday special for about $1 US each (excluding fish tacos).  Sadly, I am headed to Italy on Monday so it looks like Taco Tuesdays are going to have to wait for me for a couple more weeks!

Baja Style Fish Tacos from Macho Tacos

When compared to local Taiwanese street food, the normal prices are a higher, but sometimes after traveling for months, you just need that little taste of home. Also, if you are hoping to run into a few more English speakers around Taipei, this is a great place to stop as most weekends it’s packed with local expats.

Macho Tacos is a tiny hole-in-the-wall that specializes in Baja-style Mexican food (also commonly referred to as Fresh Mex).  They’ve become a beloved fixture in the Taipei dining scene and I hope their luchadore (Mexican wrestler) and great food continue to delight the stomachs of other expats.

Carne Asada Nachos at Macho Tacos

Some of my friends thought my quest for Mexican food outside of the Americas was disturbing, but I had to believe there were other taco connoisseurs who shared my inane love for little corn tortillas filled with giant hunks of carne asada and enough onions and cilantro to rival the effects of a good dose of garlic. It wasn’t until I became acquainted with Jade from Vagabond3, that I knew I had a kindred spirit in the world. After talking Mexican food countless times on Twitter, we were finally able to enjoy a meal together after TBEX 2011 in Vancouver, and I’m looking forward to hopefully venturing off on the hunt for more tacos elsewhere sometime.

And hey, if anyone ever wants to sponsor a round the world trip in search of the best tacos around the globe, I’m sure you have two Los Angeles girls who would gladly volunteer!

The Eternal Search for Good Mexican Food Abroad: Macho Tacos in Taipei, Taiwan is a post from Art of Backpacking

Nearly every other block in Buenos Aires has a panaderia (bakery). The bakers wake up extra early to cook and fully stock up their inventory. It’s an unavoidable smell every morning and it’s great. All the good bakeries have a line and sometimes a number system in the early morning waiting to get the freshest inventory. You’re given a pair of tongs and a basket. It’s a buffet of pastries row after row all smelling so delicious that it’s really difficult to know which ones to choose with such a huge selection. Usually there’s a poster that says if you buy a dozen, you get a deal. I’m always tempted to buy twelve but I know I couldn’t finish it without another four people to help. I can usually eat about four before I give up.

The most popular pastries are the Facturas. Bakeries are full of them but it’s also easy to find in supermarkets and cafes which often come with coffee. They are most often purchased by the dozen and shared among friends or co-workers with mate. It’s origins are from Europe and are similar to Danish pastries. They are covered in sugar so prepare for a massive amount. The most popular fillings dulce de leche, custard (crema pastelera), and quince paste (dulce de membrillo) — all three being my favorite. They come in different shapes and sizes as well with each of them having a separate name for the type.

The names of the facturas though are interesting.

On July 18, 1887 in Buenos Aires, an Italian anarchist named Ettore Mattei, created the Resistance Cosmopolitan Society and Placement of Workers Bakers. He lived in Argentina between 1885 and 1889 and was commissioned to draw up their constitutions. Errico Malatesta was commissioned to draw up their constitutions but in 1889, he leaves Argentina, leaving behind the militant union that he helped organize. The anarchists had to hide in Argentina due to their views and ideals.

Between 1894 and 1930, the society edited the newspaper El Obrero Baker using irony and sarcasm to name their pastries against the government and super powers. The names soon became commonly used  and even the churches became selling the pastries with all of them taunting the police.

The facturas no longer hold the same meaning as they once did but the history and names are still used.

Media Luna - Half Moon

Media Luna con Dulce de Leche - Half Moon with Milk Caramel

Moño con Membrillo y Crema Pastelera - Bun with Quince and Cream Cake

Vijilante - Vigilant

Bola de Fraile con Dulce de Leche - Friar Ball with Milk Caramel

Pañuelitos de Grasa - Fat Wipes

A few images that I’m missing of popular facturas are cañoncitos (little cannons), miguelitos, and a few others that will eventually be added on here.

Have you tried facturas? Which are you favorites?

Facturas: A Guide To Argentina’s Breakfast Pastries is a post from Art of Backpacking

I created a short video of our trip through Uruguay. Nothing special, just spent a few hours on it but I think it came out pretty well. Let me know what you think.

More of our trip can be found here: Guide to driving the coast of Uruguay and thing’s you didn’t know about Uruguay.

Short Video Of Our Trip Through Uruguay is a post from Art of Backpacking

Paris has a reputation for sophistication—and usually, sophistication doesn’t come cheap. The City of Lights is the home of haute couture, Michelin stars and the Mona Lisa, but it’s still a wonderful place for the budget traveler to explore. There are plenty of cultural, foodie and outdoor opportunities that are free or super cheap as a way to enjoy the je-ne-sais-quoi of the French capital.

If you’re under 26 (or kept hold of your university ID card), you’re particularly lucky. Don’t hesitate to ask for a jeune or étudiant discount at museums, landmarks and movie theatres. If you’re under 26 and a European citizen, it’s often free!

Travel like the locals

Buy a carnet of 10 tickets to travel on the Metro or the bus system. While many prefer the buses of Paris—the argument is that you actually see the city, instead of just an underground tunnel—I’m quite partial to the Metro. Almost all cheap hotels in Paris are within a few blocks of a station, making it super convenient. Plus, Paris is much more walkable than most people realize–if the weather’s nice, don’t hesitate to hoof it.

Take a load off

If the weather’s nice—which certainly isn’t always the case in Paris, so take advantage of it!—grab a book and head to the Jardin du Luxumbourg or the Jardin des Tuileries. Grab an iconic green chair, watch the motorized miniature sailboats in the pond, or simply soak up the sunshine. Head up to Sacre Coeur to enjoy an unparalleled view of the city on a clear day, with the background noise of talented street musicians.

A coffee and a view, please

Grab one of those teeny-tiny tables on a brasserie terrace for the best people-watching view. No matter whether you order an espresso or a whole meal, you’ll be allowed to linger at the table as long as you want. I love the secret courtyard at Café Contrescarpe for something more relaxing, and splurging on an espresso on the Champs-Elysée to gawk at tourists and Parisians alike. For a truly kitsch experience, don’t miss Les Deux Moulins, the café where Amelie famously worked in Montmartre.

Eat on the street

My first stop in Paris is always L’As du Falafel: if you order from the outside window, a special falafel is only 5 Euros (and with a solid helping of veggies, it’s a full meal). However, I fell in love with crepes on my first trip to Paris and they’re still my go-to for a cheap meal. Don’t miss Au Petit Grec on Rue Mouffetard for a delicious savory crepe, with plenty more options than just the traditional ham and cheese. You can’t go wrong with a Nutella crepe at any street vendor—just add a banana, and you have a serving of fruit, too!

Cover the tourist bases

Head up the Arc de Triomphe instead of the Eiffel Tower for an amazing view of the city. The lines are shorter, it’s a lot cheaper and you actually get to see the Eiffel Tower—the Paris skyline just isn’t the same without its most famous landmark. Bring a picnic and a bottle of wine to enjoy on the lawn of the Eiffel Tower—there are plenty of Chinese takeout places in the neighborhood if you’re craving something other than bread and cheese.

Explore the markets

If you want to cook your own meals or prepare a romantic picnic, there is no shortage of fresh, cheap ingredients in the open-air markets all over Paris. Check out the all-organic market that takes over Boulevard Raspail every Sunday morning. The covered Marché Beauvau is an experience in itself: the protected, historical building was constructed in the mid-19^th century. On Thursdays and Sundays, market stalls selling everything from fresh produce to butchered meat to vintage clothing pop up near the Bastille. One word of advice: go early! Many markets start shutting down by noon.

Busk away

Take advantage of the free street art and entertainment. Paris has no shortage of incredibly talented buskers and street artists. Listen up, and when you hear something that strikes your fancy, take a seat and enjoy it. Pay attention to back walls, manhole covers and billboards: Paris street artists are creative and prolific

Watch a movie

Cinema culture is huge in Paris: it has an enormous network of small theatres.  If you don’t feel like practicing your French, make sure the Hollywood film is Version Originale—and it will be shown undubbed with French subtitles. Le Pagode is an adorable independent theatre with a serene tea garden courtyard. Bercy Ciné Cité is a huge, modern complex with plenty of VO movies, situated in a large square filled with shops and restaurants.

Get some culture on the cheap

There is no shortage of museums in Paris. My personal favorite is the Pompidou Center: awesome modern art that makes you think, exciting temporary exhibits and fun street performers outside. The building’s crazy cool architecture and extensive bookshop is an added plus. On the first Sunday of the month, you can head straight to the sixth floor for a free look at the panoramic view (usually included in your ticket price). Don’t miss the most famous art in the world at the Louvre Museum—and if you’re under 26, it’s free every Friday night. The impressionist classics at the Orsay Museum are cheap after 4:30p.m. every day but Thursday and after 6 p.m. on Thursdays, and free for everyone on the first Sunday of the month and for EU nationals between the ages of 18 to 25 anytime. The floor-to-ceiling water lilies at the Orangerie Museum are free the first Sunday of the month, too. There’s also the Museum of the Hunt and Nature for some unexpectedly pleasing taxidermy.

Wander lust

Take a stroll through Père Lachaise, and find the most important names in French history (and in the case of Jim Morrison, American rock and roll culture). Wander through the medieval streets of the Marais, which are now dotted with vintage shops, gay bars and the best falafel in town. Window shop in the luxurious Sixth before resting your feet and soaking up the intellectual inspiration at Les Deux Magots, where Jean-Paul Sartre and Pablo Picasso used to trade ideas with friends. There are plenty of off-the-beaten-path alleyways, art galleries and independent clothing stores in Montmartre to make a walk interesting.

Mostly, just soak up the inspiring beauty of the City of Lights. While Paris is a moveable feast, it’s a feeling that can’t be recreated anywhere.

Paris: a city of sophistication on a backpacker’s budget is a post from Art of Backpacking

Its been 6 1/2 months and we’re down to our very last day in South America. Stephanie and I had a lot of fun but I think we’re both ready to head home to visit family and friends for a little while. No, we’re not stopping. We have a ton of travel plans that I’ll be announcing in the coming weeks.

Here’s a quick summary of everything that we’ve done in South America.

Colombia

Flights to Bogota from New York City are so cheap. It only cost us $200 for a one way ticket. A friend of ours invited us to house-sit his dog in Bogota for 3 weeks starting September 30th . It was too perfect (Thanks, Jeff!). Though most of October was rainy and cold, we had a great time and made new friends including the wonderful people behind See Colombia.

We traveled through Bogota, Villa De Leiva, Santa Marta, Tayrona, Cartagena, Medellin, Popayan, Salento, and Ipiales. Easily my three favorite places were Tayrona, Popayan, and Medellin. Tayrona had beautiful beaches and forest. Medellin had well beautiful people and an awesome nightlife. Popayan was different than the rest of Colombia. All the buildings were completely white.

Surprisingly, most of our trip through Colombia was rainy and cold. Then after two months in the country, our visa was just about to run out so we had to move on.

• Las Lajas Sanctuary in Ipiales, Colombia
• Cotopaxi, Ecuador: Climbing one of world’s largest active volcanoes
• Thoughts on Colombia After 2 Months of Travel
• Bogota Bike Tours: Biking The Hidden Corners of Bogota

Tayrona, Colombia - My favorite beach in South America

Las Lajas Sanctuary in Ipiales, Colombia - My favorite church in South America.

Ecuador

We started to get tired of moving around so we took it slow through Ecuador. I wasn’t hugely impressed with Quito but we were still there for 1 1/2 weeks, mostly staying for the Quito Festival which was well worth staying for. I love cities surrounded by mountains but I never felt safe walking around. Cotopaxi and middle of the earth were our highlights of our stay in Quito.

Banos had to have been one of my favorite places in South America. It was super chill and had a ton of fun activities. I could lay in the spa then walk a few blocks and jump off a bridge. It’s an entire town surrounded by a active volcano and mountains. We biked outside the city passing up waterfalls along the way, rafted through a level 4 river, relaxed in a spa, and jumped off a bridge for only $20 (well, Stephanie did).

After Banos, we spent 3 weeks in Montañita celebrating Christmas and New Years. Over Yonderlust joined us for a crazy New Years party on the beach while burning a paper mache Barney and throwing fireworks on the streets. We started to lose too many brain cells in Montañita so we left shortly after New Years.

We wanted to stay somewhere for a few months, catch up on work, and chill out. We were suppose to travel down through Peru from Ecuador but we made a last minute decision and booked a plane ticket to Buenos Aires for the next day.

• Visiting the Middle of the Earth in Ecuador

Pailon del Diablo waterfall outside of Banos

Our bar guy in Montanita

Cotopaxi, Ecuador

Quito, Ecuador

Argentina

Every South American country I’ve visited outside of Argentina mocked me of my Argentinean accent whenever I spoke spanish. They’d shout “Che, Boludo!” (a slang used often in Argentina) and start laughing. I laughed with them as if was the first time I’ve ever heard that joke. It was going to be nice to finally go where my accent didn’t stand out as much. Although it was nice to confuse the locals when I said I was American.

It was a last minute decision so we had no idea how long we were going to stay in Buenos Aires. We found an apartment and booked it for three months. For those three months, we settled in and just lived like a local. We had our own bakery, cafe, and supermarket where everyone knew us because we went so often. It was a nice feeling.

Another reason for the rush to Buenos Aires is because half of my family is from Buenos Aires so we visited my family often.

We had many BBQ’s with fellow travel blogger friends like Landing Standing, Go Backpacking, Travel Chica, Over Yonderlust, Two Oregonians, and many non-travel bloggers.

Boca Juniors Game

After a ridiculous amount of meat in Buenos Aires for three months, we set out for the road again. We were heading towards Chile and going to a few cities along the way.

Rosario was our first stop and by far one of my favorite places in Argentina so far. In fact, I kind of wish we lived there for awhile. Everyone seemed to own a dog and the parks were perfectly designed for them. It’s such a pleasant city to live in. We also found the best ice-cream ever is in Rosario. Ice-cream, dogs, and parks — what more could someone possibly want?

After Rosario was Cordoba. I wasn’t terribly impressed but the empanadas were great. I met up with a good friend of mine and spent most of the our time there just wandering around. I’m told most of the good sites are outside of the city but we were limited on time. Maybe next time.

Next was Mendoza. Since this was our last stop in Argentina before Chile, we ate a crazy amount of steak and drank enough red wine to wake up with a hang almost every single day we were there. One of our wine tours started at 9AM so we drank wine that entire day. For our last night in Argentina, I overate steak and drank a ton of red wine. I got sick but it was well worth it.

• How to Rent an Apartment in Buenos Aires
• Buenos Aires Apartment Rip Offs
• Travel Photography with an iPhone
• Argentina’s Football: Boca Juniors
• Massive March for Freedom in Buenos Aires
• Things I Don’t Understand About Buenos Aires

Mendoza Wine

Uruguay

It was a one week trip from Buenos Aires to renew our visa and get the chance to see a new country. We started in Colonia and went to Montevideo and Punta del Este by bus. From Puna del Este, we rented a car with a few friends and went up the coast hitting places like Jose Ignacio, La Paloma, Cabo Polonio, Aguas Dulces, and Punta del Diablo.

I’m not sure why but Uruguay is often missed on the backpacker trail. It’s definitely one of the most expensive countries to travel in South America but it has so much to see and do.

Cabo Polonio had one of the best beaches I’ve seen in South America.

The best steak we had in South America was definitely in Uruguay and specifically in Montevideo and Punta del Este.

• Guide To Driving The Coast of Uruguay

Colonia del Sacramento

Punta del Este

Cabo Polonio

Chile

The road from Mendoza to Santiago had really beautiful views. We went through the Andes and could see snow covered mountains all around us. Border crossing was a bit of a hassle with a 2 hour delay but we eventually made it to Santiago.

I don’t really have much to report on Chile or Santiago since we spent only 11 nights in Santiago and for most of that time either I was sick or Stephanie was. We were mostly indoors working from our apartment and getting ready to get home. I think by the last few days we were just tired of seeing anything but we felt that we had to at least do a few things so we did our best to sight-see Santiago and its surrounding area.

We did manage to go to Valparaiso which was the highlight of our trip in Chile. Unfortunately, we went on a Monday which meant all museums were closed.

Santiago

Beautiful view of Santiago

What’s Next

I have a ton of videos, pictures, and article ideas that still need to be published. You’ll see articles on South America by me for awhile.

As for our travel plans, we’re headed back to USA for a few months but have lots of travel plans coming up.

See You Later South America is a post from Art of Backpacking

While London may be a hot spot this year with the upcoming 2012 Summer Olympics, the city is also garnering some attention from beer enthusiasts who have watched the city bounce back in a surprise beer boom as noted by several local beer experts and writers.

While I’m more partial to wine when it relates to culinary travel, I’m an equal opportunist imbiber truthfully, and have developed quite a soft spot for quality craft and microbrew beers.  After a decline in craft beer producers in London several years ago, the city has seen an influx of new microbreweries popping up, many of which are producing some fantastic brews that highlight the qualities that put London on the beer map in the first place.

Here are five spots to enjoy your London holidays with a local craft beer.

Old Brewery

Meantime London Porter (flickr: Bernt Rostad)

Old Brewery is a restaurant and bar opened and operated by Meantime London — one of London’s local breweries.  Meantime Brewery was founded by Alastair Hook, a south Londoner himself.  He graduated from one of the UK’s leading brew schools, and what he started as a small business in his flat back in 1999 has today grown to be one of London’s most respected craft beer producers.

Recommendation: London Porter 6.5%.  While not necessarily the most budget friendly brew, it is a 750 ml bottle and with 6.5% alcohol, not one to chug.

Old Brewery: The Pepys Building, The Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich (020) 3327 1280

Carpenters Arms

After a fairly recent facelift, Carpenters Arms has been consistently rated as one of the better spots for a pint in the city.  While they have a lot of draught beer and an impressive selection of bottles from around the globe, their regularly rotating selection of ales features one worth a try — Truman’s Runner Ale.

Truman’s was founded back in 1666 and lasted until 1989 when the brewery and pubs were closed. It made a surprising return in 2010 when two young local beer enthusiasts decided to bring back what many consider to be an integral part of London history.  Their first release is a bitter, “Truman’s Runner”, an ode to the original Truman’s porter that was known as “Runner”.

Carpenters Arms: 73 Cheshire Street, London (020) 7739 6342

Prince of Wales 

Twickenham Fine Ales (flickr: LoopZilla)

Prince of Wales in Twickenham features several local brews, but one of the producers they highlight is worth a mention — Twickenham Fine Ales. These interesting brews have been known to be pretty hard to find outside of the general vicinity of the brewery itself.  One of the more popular year round offerings is “Naked Ladies”, a brew inspired by statues of water nymphs at York House gardens in Twickenham.  If the name of this particular brew sounds familiar, it is the one you are most likely to find outside Twickenham, and is even brewed under license in Belgium.

The Prince of Wales: 136 Hampton Road, Twickenham, Middlesex (020) 8894 5054

King William IV Hotel and Bar

The King William IV is the official brewery tap for what was the adjoining Sweet William Brewery. It was eventually abandoned and, in 2008, Jamie and Lizzie Brodie took it over and managed to brew Brodie’s IPA after only six weeks of cleaning and fix up work.  They now produce over 30 different beers under the Brodie’s name. King William IV has sixteen different beers on every weekend — all of which are just £1.99 a pint!

King William IV: 816 High Road, Leyton, London (020) 8556 2460

The Kernel Brewery

The Kernal Brewery (flickr: Bernt Rostad)

Stop by for “Saturdays at the Kernel” where you can buy beer direct from the brewery, sample a few different pints, and enjoy the neighboring Matlby Street area. From 9am until 2pm on Saturdays, this newish hot-spot is the place to be for foodies.  A number of food merchants, along with Kernel Brewery, moved into this area and you can sample everything artisan foods, coffees, and of course Kernel beers.

The Kernel has been named one of London’s best breweries and has received numerous awards and accolades.  One of the more popular offerings is the India Pale Ale (IPA) – a truly artisanal brew that is inspired both by old-style London porters and stouts, but also US-style hoppy Pale Ales.

The Kernel Brewery: Unit 11, Dockley Road Industrial Estate, London (077) 5755 2636

Photos: Flickr, Bernt Rostad, LoopZilla

This post has been sponsored by London Holiday Packages

London Breweries: Five Spots to Enjoy Local Craft Beers is a post from Art of Backpacking

While traveling through Belize in general can be quite affordable by many backpacker and budget traveler standards, the line begins to blur when you look at some of the more popular island stops in the country.

Caye Caulker is regarded as the backpackers’ island of choice in many instances, though its overly laid back atmosphere leaves some travelers longing for more.  If you are hoping to just get lost on a small island and completely unwind, Caye Caulker is the perfect spot for that.  Whether you spend a day relaxing at “The Split” or renting a bicycle and cruising around the tiny dirt roads, you are not likely to find a place more chill than Caye Caulker.

Lazy Lizard at The Split on Caye Caulker

Caye Caulker’s bigger and more well-known neighbor Ambergris Caye has more nightlife, bars, and restaurants to choose from, but it is often skipped over by budget travelers due to lodging costs.  The island has definitely seen a boom in luxury resorts, a few with per night rates exceeding the monthly travel budget for many long-term travelers.

However, the island’s main town of San Pedro is home to a hostel, Pedro’s Inn, which is a happening place to be not only for tourists, but also as a regular hang out for many locals. Unfortunately, during high season, rates at the hostel may fluctuate so you may find that for just a bit more, you can get a beachfront standard private hotel room.

If you are looking for an affordable hotel option in Ambergris Caye, consider the Conch Shell Inn, which is right on the beach, and conveniently located near dive shops, the water taxi dock, and many of the town’s bars and restaurants.

The Conch Shell Inn on Ambergris Caye, Belize

The Conch Shell Inn offers 10 rooms, each with a shared verandah or patio.  It’s a no frills place that has a loyal following from many divers, one of the main tourism draws to Ambergris Caye.

During off-season, April 15 to November 14, you can snag a room on the ground floor for $64 US a night, or an even better deal is to book for five or seven nights for with more of a discount.  Five nights is $288 (savings of $32) and seven nights is $381 (savings of $67).  All rooms feature one double and one twin bed, which can make it comparable to many hostels elsewhere when split between two or three people.

All rooms at the Conch Shell Inn have a double and one twin bed

While air conditioning is available (for $10 US per night), the ocean breezes that blow through the large ocean-facing windows make it unnecessary.  All rooms include wireless internet (free), mini fridge, television, and Tempur-Pedic beds – a huge upgrade from most hostel and budget hotel beds.

The hammock on the second floor is the perfect spot to relax in the afternoon while catching up on a blog post or two, and there’s no shortage of people watching opportunities from the verandah.

With its ideal location right in town, popular bars and restaurants are just steps away. Next door is Cholo’s Sports Bar, a popular locals’ hangout, and just around the corner from Conch Shell Inn is one of my favorite spots, Lola’s Pub.  Kayleen (one of the owners) and Trevor (one of the bartenders) are the people to chat up as they have the scoop on what’s happening around town and can share some of the island’s “must visit” spots.

If you are a morning person, the Caribbean Sea facing side of the island offers stellar sunrises and the Conch Shell Inn provides a great spot for photographing them…if you can drag yourself out of bed at 5am after a night of partying.

Shared verandah looking out on the beach -- great for sunrise photos!

The one drawback to the Conch Shell Inn is you are not likely to just show up and book a room. With only 10 rooms and a pretty popular following, it’s often sold out, especially during holiday and peak periods. I was there during a sold-out week — Valentine’s Day, President’s weekend, and Carnaval.  So, if you have a firm time on when you plan to visit San Pedro, email for information and any other deals they may be running, or you can book directly online as well.

You may be thinking this is not very budget-friendly. Obviously everyone has their own definition of “budget “ based on their way of travel, but as far as island accommodations go, the Conch Shell Inn is a steal for its oceanfront location right in town. It’s one of the best deals on the island – especially when compared to many of the $300 and $500 a night options for larger beachfront resorts and luxury condos.

My stay at The Conch Shell Inn was complimentary as part of a media tour, but all views and opinions are my own. 

Budget Accommodations in Belize: Conch Shell Inn on Ambergris Caye is a post from Art of Backpacking