California. The most populated state in the United States. Home of the celebrated Hollywood stars. The global trendsetter in entertainment, economics, politics, and technology. The Golden State. But it’s got an eerie disposition. It houses some haunted places.

With so many things to laud about California, it is no wonder that it is in the front line of tourism in the US. Even paranormal experts would agree to it. The state is also known for its many mysterious places for people who love spooky adventures.

Curious where in California you can create memories with… ghosts and supernatural creatures? Here are the top 10 most haunted places in California:

11. Bodie

^{A well-preserved kitchen in Ghost Town Bodie, California}

Bodie is the most well-preserved ghost town in California and the “ghost” is not just a moniker, it truly is a haunted place. Located on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountains in Mono County, Bodie towers above 8379 ft above sea level. Founded during the California Gold Rush, Bodie became a thriving boomtown in 1879 and reached a population of almost 7,000 inhabitants.

Today, Bodie is in a state of arrested decay and a real Wild West ghost town. Tales of real ghost encounters dominate the backdrop as apparitions wander the alleyways and hallways in well-preserved 18th-century homes. The town’s nefarious past doesn’t help with things either as it was once home to various outlaws and gunslingers.

10. Battery Point Lighthouse

Photo image – en.wikipedia.org

Located in Crescent City, California, this lighthouse was built in 1856. Various spookish stories have been reported hereafter it surpassed the big tsunami that hit Northern California in 1964.

Paranormal investigators say resident ghosts are living in the lighthouse – two adults and one child ghost. Some workers and guests inside the lighthouse also say that they have heard stomping sounds around the area, as well as reports of items mysteriously moving to a new location such as slippers, rocking chairs moving on their own, and feeling that someone simultaneously touching them even when no one was around.

9. Hotel del Coronado

3Photo image – en.wikipedia.org

Hotel del Coronado is a historic hotel located at the beachfront of Coronado City in San Diego, California. Known as the second-largest wooden structure in the United States (next to the Tillamook Air Museum in Oregon), it was opened in 1888 and was declared a California Historical Landmark in 1970. In 1977, it was designated as a National Historic Landmark, too.

Aside from its historic reputation, Hotel del Coronado is also famous for being a haunted place. According to some ghost hunters, they have had spooky experiences when they checked in room 3312. This is the room where a young bride named Kate Morgan checked into back in 1892. Kate was found dead on the hotel steps a few days after she checked in. Eerie reports about the room 3312 include curtains blowing despite closed windows, objects mysteriously moving on their own, murmur sounds, and some have also seen Kate’s ghost walking in the hallways.

8. Hollywood Sign

The Hollywood Sign, formerly known as the Hollywoodland Sign, is an of the most prominent landmark and cultural icons in the United States. HOLLYWOOD is spelled out in white capital letters in 45-foot (*13.7 m) tall and 350 feet (106.7 m) long.

Similar to the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, the famous Hollywood Sign is also known for its famous ghost, Peg Entwistle. Peg Entwistle was an actress who jumped from the letter H of the Hollywood Sign and died due to depression and career failure in September 1932. Peg’s body was only found the next day by a Mount Lee hiker. However, it was not the last time she was seen in the area. Her ghost is known to wander around the vicinity of the famous landmark.

7. Groveland Hotel Near Yosemite

Photo image – tripadvisor.com

The Groveland Hotel was built in 1849 and was known as “the best house” on the hill during the Gold Rush.

Haunted reports say there is a resident ghost at this hotel. He is Lyle who died in his sleep back in the 1900s. People assume that Lyle may have had some unfinished business that is why his spirit can still be felt inside the hotel.

Some odd events in the hotel’s most popular room, also known as ‘Lyle’s Room’, include guests seeing a tall, thin guy with a bearded face and a straw hat that resembles Lyle’s features. He is known to dislike ladies’ cosmetics under his dresser, so some guests’ makeups either gets knocked down to the floor or gets carried to the bathroom, mysteriously. Some have also seen water faucets turning on and off in the room.

According to some paranormal experts, Lyle has two ghost buddies inside the Groveland Hotel. One is a man who died in a violent card game event, while the other one is a young ride wandering around the courtyard while looking for her groom.

6. Winchester Mystery House

Photo image – en.wikipedia.org

If you have watched the Winchester movie, you will not doubt the fact that the Winchester House in San Jose is a popular destination of people seeking high-strung experiences.

The Winchester Mystery House is a personal residence-turned-mansion owned by Sarah Winchester, wife of the late renowned firearm manufacturer William Wirt Winchester. A seer told Sarah that the ghosts of gunshot victims had killed both her husband and child. She had to build a house, known today as the Winchester House, to keep away the spirits of the ghosts.

The house has odd features including staircases that are directly connected to the ceilings, doors with nowhere to go, and windows that take you to secret passages.

Some say Sarah did not hire an architect to build the house and that she peculiarly designed the house to confuse the ghosts.

5. The Whaley House

Photo image – en.wikipedia.org

With its mid-nineteenth century Greek Revival architecture, the Whaley House has been open to the public as a historic house museum since 1960. The house attracts over 125,000 tourists annually, making it one of southern California’s top tourist destinations.

The reason for its thousands of visitors? Its eccentric story.

The house is said to have witnessed more history than any other buildings in San Diego. This town courthouse turned museum was also the home of Thomas Whaley and his family. The death of his infant son, Thomas, Jr., the suicide of his daughter, Violeta, and the death of his wife and their remaining children a few years later, have brought the house its identity as the most haunted house in the United States.

4. RMS Queen Mary

Photo image – en.wikipedia.org

Known as the ‘Grey Ghost’ troopship during World War II, the RMS Queen Mary was built in 1936. It made its last voyage in 1967 before docking in the Long Beach harbor in California. Ever since its final cruise at the harbor, Queen Mary has remained as a floating luxury hotel, museum, and tourist attraction.

Before serving as a warship and transporting the members of the army during World War II, the Queen Mary used to be a luxury ship. During its first three years on the ocean, it used to carry various notable persons such as Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, and General Dwight Eisenhower.

Haunted stories inside the Queen Mary began due to the number of deaths during its tenure in the ocean. Around 47 people died here when it was still a luxury cruise liner, while countless military personnel and children died during the war.

Currently, the retired ship turned luxury hotel is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the whole United States. Since it is considered as the most paranormal ship among other cruises in America (beating the Titanic, the USS Olympia, and the Star of India), the hotel ship also offers “Ghosts and Legends Tour”.

Its most haunted room, the Suite B-340, is known to have the majority of the spookiest events reported. Reports claim that a crew member was killed inside this room. Some guests report that faucets inside the room keep turning on and off. The toilet flushes on its own and unknown strange steps can be heard.

3. Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel

Photo image – en.wikipedia.org

The 12-story historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel was opened in 1927 at 7000 Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. This star-studded hotel was often used for movie premiere after-parties, as well as the venue for the first Oscars.

The hotel is also famous for its glamorous ghost, Marilyn Monroe. According to reports, Monroe is still haunting in her old suite, room 1200; where she used to live during her fame. According to a maintenance worker of the hotel, some guests in that room have seen Marilyn in the mirror.

Also, the four-time Academy Award actor Montgomery Clift, who died in 1966, is believed to be actively staying in his former room, Room 928, as well as in the hallway of the hotel. Clift’s ghost is known to brush up against people. Some guests have seen his shadow in the hallways and have heard him practicing trumpet.

2. Alcatraz

Known as the “supermax” federal prison, Alcatraz (which means “strange birds” or pelicans), is a famous security prison in San Francisco Bay.

Many tourists today visit the prison because of its haunted history. It is known as one of the cruelest and most inhumane prisons in the United States during its prime.

Alcatraz was initially a fort in 1850 but later became an official U.S. military prison in 1907 until 1933. Paranormal investigators believe that the spirits of the tortured prisoners in Alcatraz are seeking revenge.

Some reports of inexplicable events say they have heard the sound of someone playing banjo inside the prison. They believe that it is the spirit of Al Capone (also known as Scarface) who is one of the most famous American gangsters. He was a prisoner of Alcatraz, who tried to avoid getting killed by playing banjo inside the shower room.

1. “Suicide Bridge”

Photo image – en.wikipedia.org

The beautiful Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena, California, soon became known as the “Suicide Bridge” because of the dozens of people who jumped to death here since the early part of the 20th century. In 2016, there were temporary anti-suicide barriers installed on the sidewalk and inside the balustrade, blocking the seating alcoves which are the primary expressway of suicide victims. However, numerous suicide deaths were still reported in 2017 and 2018, despite these anti-suicide barriers.

With more than a hundred suicide victims on this bridge, it is not surprising to know about ghosts constantly haunting in its vicinity. Some have heard inexplicable cries from the canyon, while others have seen a man wearing wire-rimmed glasses wandering the bridge. Other visitors have reported seeing a woman in a long flowing robe, standing at the top of the ramparts.

Would You Visit Some Of California’s Haunted Places?

The post Top 11 Most Haunted Places In California appeared first on Always Wanderlust.

Dubai is the land of extremes. On the one hand, the city is at its height of modernism with the tall structures, ultra-modern buildings, and luxuries known to humankind, while on the other hand, the locals are deeply rooted in their culture, traditions, and heritage, which can be seen in their lifestyle.

However, these extreme differences are what attract people to the Emirate city of Dubai, which is part of the Islamic country of the UAE. Popular as a family holiday destination, there are plenty of exciting things to do in Dubai. Here is a guide to the best Dubai attractions that would keep you entertained in the city.

Dubai Desert Safari

^{Dubai Desert Safari}

Although all you would be able to see is the shiny city of Dubai from the moment you land here, it is essential to know that the beginnings of this modern city were in the desert. Today, only a few tribes live in the desert. However, you get a fun way to explore the Bedouin lifestyle through the ultimate desert safari experience. The desert safari in Dubai not only takes you to the vast desert area but also makes sure that you have a great time.

Adventurous activities like dune bashing, camel riding, and sandboarding await you in the desert. You get to spend time at the desert camp decorated in Bedouin-style, where you can watch the traditional belly dance and Tanoura dance performances and enjoy a delicious BBQ dinner. The most common desert safari is the evening one, while the variations include the morning desert safari and the overnight desert safari.

Timings: 3:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Duration: 6 hours
Location: Dubai Desert Conservation
Tickets: Starts at AED 260
Best for: Families, couples and friends

Check out the best Dubai Desert Safari Tours

Bastakiya Quarter

Bastakiya Quarter

The glamour of the city is something you cannot ignore. However, amidst all the glitz, you should not overlook a hidden gem, which is the Bastakiya Quarter. The oldest neighborhood of Dubai, the Bastakiya Quarter stands out amid the soaring skyscrapers. The Bastakiya Quarter is home to several traditional homes that were built for the Iranian merchants in the 19th century.

While part of the area was demolished for newer developments, some of the areas were restored. Walking on the narrow lanes of the neighborhood, you would get to see the old homes with their solid wooden doors and unique wind towers, which provided natural air-conditioning in the earlier times. Today, some of these homes have been transformed into museums, hotels, cafes and art galleries, while retaining the old world charm of the place.

Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM
Duration: 1-2 hours
Location: Al Fahidi Street, Near Dubai Creek, Bur Dubai, UAE
Tickets: Free
Best for: Lovers of history, art, and architecture

Explore the Bastakiya Quarter

Dubai Museum

^{Dubai Museum}

Another place that has been closely associated with the history of Dubai is the Dubai Museum. The museum is located inside the Al Fahidi Fort, which is considered to be the oldest standing structure of the city. This is your go-to place if you want to know everything about the history and culture of the city. In other words, how Dubai looked and people lived here before modernization hit the place.

Right from the lifestyle of the Bedouins to the occupation and life of the people of Dubai when it was a modest fishing village, you would get to know everything here through interesting exhibits and artifacts. You would be able to see the growth and development of the city from the modest village to the ultra-modern city it is today. Spending an hour at the Dubai Museum is surely worth it!

Timings: 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM (Saturday to Thursday) and 2:30 PM to 8:30 PM (Friday)
Duration: 1 hour
Location: Al Fahidi Street, Bur Dubai, UAE
Tickets: AED 3 for adults and AED 1 for children
Best for: History and culture lovers

Check out the Dubai Museum

Gold Souk

^{Gold Souk}

Not too far from the museum is the Gold Souk, a traditional Arab market dedicated to gold jewelry. It is one of the most popular tourist spots in the city, even for those who do not want to buy anything. This is because this is the only place where you would find so much gold under one roof. The Dubai Gold Souk is home to more than 300 stores that sell gold and other precious jewelry. The fact that buying gold in Dubai is tax-free is the reason why most people want to buy the yellow metal from this city.

A stroll inside the air-conditioned gold souk would give you a chance to look at the wide collection of gold jewelry, right from the heavy traditional designs to the more delicate ones. Moreover, if you want to buy something, you can bargain with the storekeeper, who would give you some discount on the making charges. Apart from the gold souk, you must also try to visit the Spice Souk and Perfume Souk located nearby.

Timings: 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM (Saturday to Thursday) and 4 PM to 9:30 PM (Saturday)
Duration: 1-2 hours
Location: Deira, Dubai, UAE
Tickets: Free
Best for: Shopping lovers

See the Gold Souk in Dubai

Dubai Creek

^{Dubai Creek}

A historically important place of the city, the creek is where the Bani Yas tribe settled when they moved to the city from the desert. It is from here that the city started developing to what it is today. The Bastakiya Quarter, the Dubai Museum and the Souks are all located along the Dubai Creek, making it the natural conclusion of your trip to the old part of the city.

Once Dubai Creek was the major contributor to the economy of the city, as it is here that the locals indulged in fishing and pearl diving, two of the earliest occupations of the Emiratis before oil was discovered. Today, the Creek is a business hub with corporate offices and companies located in Deira and Bur Dubai sides of the city. One thing you must do at Dubai Creek takes an abra ride, the oldest form of transportation. It would not only give you the vibe of yesteryears but also the chance to see the sights of both sides of the Creek.

Timings: 24×7
Duration: 1-2 hours
Location: Bur Dubai/Deira
Tickets: Free (Abra ride on Dubai Creek at AED 1)
Best for: Lovers of history, culture, and architecture

Dine on Dubai Creek

Burj Khalifa

^{Burj Khalifa}

As we move to the modern side of the city, it is inevitable to start with Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world. Standing tall at a height of 828 meters, the Burj Khalifa can be seen from anywhere in the city. A luxury hotel (Hotel Armani), residential units, spa, several restaurants, fitness centers, corporate offices and two observation decks, one of the 124th floor and 148th floor, occupy the 162 floors of the building.

While you can be a guest at the hotel or one of the restaurants, the best way to check out the building is by visiting one of the observation decks. During the Burj Khalifa tour, you would get to ride on one of the fastest elevators on earth and enjoy a 360o view of the city. If you want the best view, visit the Burj Khalifa in the evening, just before sunset.

Timings: 8:30 AM to 11 PM
Duration: 1 hour
Location: Blvd Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid, Downtown Dubai, UAE
Tickets: AED 146 to AED 530 (depending on the time slot)
Best for: Everyone

Explore the Burj Khalifa

Dubai Mall

^{Dubai Mall}

Situated right next to the Burj Khalifa, the mall is more than just a mere shopping mall. Considered the largest shopping mall in the world, this sprawling structure has 1200 retail stores, a multiplex theatre, an aquarium and underwater zoo, an indoor theme park, an ice rink, a huge indoor waterfall and a food court with more than 150 restaurants or food stalls.

In short, you can do a lot more than shopping at the Dubai Mall and can easily spend an entire day here. One of the things you should not miss when at the Dubai Mall is watching the Dubai Fountain Show. The show happens in the evening from 7 PM to 11 PM, every half an hour and is a marvelous spectacle to watch.

Timings: 10 AM to 12 AM
Duration: Anywhere between 1 hour and 1 day (depending on your interests)
Location: Financial Centre, Road, Along Sheikh Zayed Road, Next to Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, UAE
Tickets: Free
Best for: Everyone

Have a great time at the Dubai Mall

Atlantis Aquaventure

^{Atlantis Aquaventure}

Although Dubai has so many marvelous creations and developments, it is not a city only for sightseeing. On the other hand, there are plenty of adventure and theme parks for people to have fun, and Atlantis Aquaventure is surely one of the best. This is located inside Hotel Atlantis the Palm, the crowning glory of the Palm Jumeirah.

Aquaventure includes one of the biggest waterparks in the UAE and offers some amazing adventurous and thrilling rides to its guests. One of the most daredevilry attractions here is the Leap of Faith, a glass tunnel slide, which passes through the shark lagoon. Apart from trying the numerous slides and rides, you can also visit the Lost Chambers (aquarium) and have the experience of swimming with and feeding the dolphins and stingrays.

Timings: 10 AM to Sunset
Duration: 1 whole day
Location: Atlantis The Palm, Crescent Rd, Dubai, UAE
Tickets: Starts at AED 354
Best for: Families with kids and people who love thrill and adventure

Discover Atlantis in Dubai

Kite Beach

^{Kite Beach}

Dubai is a coastline city and thus the owner of some of the most amazing beaches. If you are lucky, you would be staying at a hotel with its private beach. However, if this is not the case, there are plenty of public beaches in Dubai, where you can relax as well as have a lot of fun. One such beach is the Kite Beach on Jumeirah Road.

Offering one of the best views of the Burj Al Arab, Kite Beach is a favorite among both locals and tourists as it allows relaxing and indulging in some adventure. Kite Beach is so-called because it is most popular for kite surfing. Other than this, you would find several other water sports, beach activities (volleyball) and a track for bikers and skaters at this beach. There are several open-air cafes and restaurants at the beach, where you can grab a drink or a bite while watching the sea as well as the activities on the beach.

Timings: 10 AM to 10 PM (Sunday to Wednesday) and 10 AM to 12 AM (Thursday to Saturday)
Duration: Depending on your interest
Location: Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai, UAE
Tickets: Free
Best for: Everyone

Check out Kite Beach in Dubai

Dubai Marina

Dubai Marina is one of the swankiest locations in the city and with good reason. This manmade marina is flanked by some of the most stylish residential buildings, luxury hotels, fine dining restaurants and vibrant nightclubs of the city. Even if you do not want to visit any of the uber-stylish attractions of the place, a stroll along the Dubai Marina, on the promenade would be a great idea to take in the beautiful and unique buildings.

You can also visit the Dubai Marina Mall for some retail therapy. On the other hand, if you are in for some adventure, you can try the XLine, which is the longest urban zipline in the world. There is no better way of viewing the Dubai Marina.

Explore the Dubai Marina

Timings: 24×7
Duration: 1-2 hours
Location: Dubai Marina, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Tickets: Free
Best for: Everyone

IMG Worlds of Adventure

^{IMG Worlds of Adventure}

Spread around an area that covers 28 football fields (1.5 million square feet), the IMG Worlds of Adventure is the world’s largest indoor theme park. The park is divided into several zones, which include Marvel, Cartoon Network, Lost Valley – Dinosaur Adventure Zones, and IMG Boulevard. Each zone has rides, roller coasters and other attractions based on the theme it represents.

So, get ready to enjoy rides and attractions based on popular shows and characters like Spiderman, Powerpuff Girls, Ben 10, Iron Man, Hulk, etc. IMG Boulevard is a place where guests can stroll, shop and dine. It is also home to the Haunted Hotel. The last addition to the theme park was the Novo Cinema, which is a movie theatre that offers nothing less than seven-star comfort along with numerous dining and retail options.

Timings: 11 AM to 8 PM (Sunday to Wednesday) and 11 AM to 10 PM (Thursday to Saturday)
Duration: 6-7 hours
Location: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai
Tickets: AED 224
Best for: Families, adventure lovers, and thrill-seekers

Go to IMG Worlds of Adventure

Dhow Cruise

A unique attraction that you would find in Dubai is the dhow cruise. A dhow is a traditional boat that was used for fishing, pearl diving, and transportation in the olden times. Today, the dhows have been turned into floating restaurants that sail on the Dubai Creek as well as the Dubai Marina.

To have a memorable ride on the dhow, it is best to opt for the dhow cruise dinner that happens every evening on the waters of the Dubai Creek as well as the Dubai Marina. The dhow cruise dinner includes a three-course dinner along with entertainment programs like live music, Tanoura dancing, etc. Moreover, depending on the place you choose, you get to enjoy a beautiful skyline of the city.

Timings: 8 PM to 10 PM or 11 PM
Duration: 2-3 hours
Location: Dubai Creek or Dubai Marina
Tickets: Starts at AED 170
Best for: Romantic dinners and get-together with family and friends

Go on a Dhow Cruise

Ski Dubai

^{Ski Dubai}

Dubai is known to do the impossible, and hence it is not a surprise to know that it has the largest indoor ski park. Located in the Mall of Emirates, Ski Dubai and Snow World has been quite a hit amongst locals as well as tourists. Skiing enthusiasts can practice their skiing skills at one of the five ski runs, the longest being at the height of 1300 feet.

There is also an indoor back run, a chairlift, a snowboarding zone and plenty of space for snowball fights and toboggan runs. The little ones would enjoy playing in the snow and meeting the inhouse penguins. Do not forget to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate at the café before heading out.

Timings: 10 AM to 11 PM (Saturday to Wednesday) and 10 AM to 12 AM (Thursday and Friday)
Duration: 2-4 hours
Location: The Mall of Emirates, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Tickets: Start at AED 275
Best for: Skiing enthusiasts and families with kids

Ski Dubai

Dubai Miracle Garden

^{The Miracle Garden}

Dubai never ceases to surprise the world, and one of the biggest surprises revealed in 2013 was the Dubai Miracle Garden, the largest natural flower garden in the world. Yes, right in the desert city! The Miracle Garden has almost 50 million flowers spread around the area of 72,000 square meters.

The highlight of the park is how beautifully these flowers are arranged. You would find some of the most exquisite designs including floral castles, floral models of the Burj Al Arab, floral tunnels, etc. In short, walking in the park is truly delightful. The Dubai Miracle Garden closes every summer and reopens just before winter, and every season brings new surprises and attractions for the visitors.

Timings: 9 AM to 9 PM (Sunday to Thursday) and 9 AM to 11 PM (Friday and Saturday)
Duration: 2-3 hours
Location: Al Barsha South 3, Dubai, UAE
Tickets: 40 AED (2-12 years) | 50 AED (12 years and above) | Free entry (children under 2 years and disabled people)
Best for: Families with kids and couples

Explore the Dubai Miracle Garden

Dubai Parks and Resorts

Dubai Parks and Resorts is the city’s premium amusement park destination, as you would find three world-class theme parks and one water park here. Motiongate (Hollywood theme park), Bollywood Parks, Legoland, and Legoland Waterpark are the four attractions that are a part of Dubai Parks and Resorts.

Apart from this, you would also find the luxurious Lapita Hotel on its premises. Although these parks are located inside one roof, each one has its separate entry fee as well as rules and regulations. Moreover, each of them has its unique attractions and rides. In other words, visiting each park is quite thrilling as well as exciting.

Timings: 10 AM to 11 PM (Saturday to Wednesday) and 10 AM to 12 AM (Thursday and Friday)
Duration: 1-2 days (depending on the number of theme parks you want to visit)
Location: Sheikh Zayed Road, Opp. Palm Jabel Ali, Dubai, UAE
Tickets: Starts at AED 175
Best for: Adventure enthusiasts and kids with families

Discover Dubai Parks and Resorts

Afternoon Tea at Burj Al Arab

Burj Al Arab is considered to be the sole seven-star hotel in the world. Shaped like a sail of a ship, the Burj Al Arab is the epitome of opulence and elegance. One of the best ways to enjoy the architecture and interiors of the hotel is to go for afternoon tea at the hotel’s Sky View Bar, located on its top floor.

Sky View Bar is a stylishly decorated restaurant that gives you the view of the Persian Gulf as well as the Palm Jumeirah. Still, nothing can be compared to the menu of the afternoon tea. You would be able to devour on the dainty sandwiches, rich pastries, delicious homemade jams, luscious clotted cream, etc. along with a variety of teas and coffees. The afternoon tea at Burj Al Arab is surely a unique experience, one you must not miss!

Timings: 3 PM (window seating) and 3:15 PM (non-window seating)
Duration: 1-2 hours
Location: Jumeirah Street, Dubai, UAE
Tickets: AED 635 to AED 930
Best for: Romantic dates, business meetings and family time

Have afternoon tea at Burj Al Arab

Dubai Frame

^{Dubai Frame}

The Dubai Frame is a relatively newer addition to the city’s numerous structures and monuments. Built like a picture frame, the Frame encases the landscapes, giving it a postcard-perfect look. The frame is located in Zabeel Park, right in between Old City and New Dubai.

The best part is that the bridge that connects the two frames offers an amazing view of Old Dubai from one side and New Dubai from the other. Apart from this, there are two museums here. Before you go up to the glass bridge, you would get to see the museum that gives you a glimpse of the old city. Moreover, the museum at the other end of the bridge would give you a view of the future of the city.

Timings: 9 AM to 9 PM
Duration: 1 hour
Location: Al Kifaf, Zabeel Park Jogging Track, Dubai, UAE
Tickets: AED 70
Best for: Everyone

See the Dubai Frame

Best Accommodations in Dubai

Luxury Options:

• Waldorf Astoria Dubai International
• One&Only The Palm Dubai 
• Burj Al Arab Jumeirah

Mid-Range Options:

• Address Downtown Dubai
• Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai
• Pullman Dubai Creek

Budget Options:

• California Hostel Dubai
• Dubai Youth Hostel
• Comfort Inn

Conclusion

In reality, the list of best things to do in Dubai can be never-ending, as there are so many good places to see and things to do in this city. However, before you book your tickets and plan your itinerary, do not forget to apply for a Dubai visa. You can apply for the visa online and travel to Dubai with an evisa.

The post The Best Things To Do In Dubai – The Ultimate Guide appeared first on Always Wanderlust.

This post and the Carry On Luggage Size Chart contains some affiliate links that provide a small commission to me at no cost to you. Purchasing your luggage through this page will buy me a cup of coffee…or a pint of beer at the local pub. Thanks.

JUMP TO LUGGAGE SIZE CHART

Packing for a vacation or travel around the world can be a lot of work. There’s a tendency to pack a lot more than you need so you go and purchase the biggest luggage you think can fit all your stuff and drop it the overhead compartment. Unfortunately, not all airlines follow the same standard weight and size allowance when it comes to Carry On luggage.

Domestic and international airlines have their own requirements on what’s allowed as a carry on as well as the weight limits. You’ll do a lot of google searches and browsing through your airline’s website to look for all this information. Luckily, we’ve compiled all this information for you in an easy to follow package as well as the FAQs below to answer all your questions.

You can skip to the size chart to over 180 airlines below if you’re in a hurry(the list is for major domestic and international airlines), otherwise, read on for some important information about carry on luggage restrictions.

What is the Standard Domestic Airline Carry On Size?

Not all domestic airlines follow the same standards when it comes to carry on size. However, domestic flights have a little more leeway when it comes to carry on luggage. The standard domestic carry on luggage size is 22 x 14  x 9 in inches but some airlines allow up to 24 inches in length.

If you pick the right luggage, it’s quite a good size for a week’s worth of travel. Some creative travelers (including yours truly) can even travel for months at a time with just a carry on luggage. Below is the best Standard Domestic Carry On bags that I highly recommend. Don’t forget to check the size chart below to find your airline’s specific sizing requirements for your airline.

Best Domestic Carry On Luggage

Hynes Eagle 45 Liter – Best Backpack

What’s not to like about this bag?

It’s relatively cheap and holds quite a lot. It’s small enough to go on an overhead compartment on domestic airlines like Southwest.

For the price, it’s surprisingly durable and made with crinkle and water-resistant nylon.

There’s a top quick-access zippered compartment to stow your passports, phone, and things you need fast access to while at the security check-in.

The backpack is also relative lightweight, coming in at just over three pounds. That’s lighter than any rolling carry on luggage out there.

The backpack has relatively high ratings on Amazon so definitely worth a look.

See the Hynes Eagle on Amazon

What is the Standard International Airline Carry On Size?

International carry on standard is slightly more strict and allow only suitcases that stand at up 21” or less. They also have more stringent weight requirements so use the size chart on this page to check your airline’s allowances.

Make sure you check the fine print, especially for budget airlines like Norwegian and EasyJet, while they might sell you cheap tickets, they will charge you an arm and a leg to check in your luggage and allow only the smallest carry on possible.

I’ve compiled the best International Carry On luggage you can buy that is guaranteed to pass international size standards. Keep in mind that some airlines have weight restrictions and allowed personal items (if any) restrictions.

What is Allowed in a Carry On Luggage?

TSA regulates what you can include in your carry on bag. Firearms and sharp objects (like knives) that can use as weapons are strictly prohibited. I can’t recount the many times I’ve had a pocket knife confiscated due to this fact (I go on adventures and pocket knives are a necessity!) so keep this in mind.

Also, containers that have any paste, liquid, gel, cream bigger than 3.4 oz are not allowed in your carry on bag. This is true for domestic flights and most international flights (based on experience). Make sure you check the specific requirements from your airline – you can find this information from the size chart by clicking on the “More Info” icon.

What is the Weight Limit for Carry On Luggage?

Major domestic airlines like Southwest, Delta, and Alaska there are no weight restrictions for carry on luggage. You have to be able to lift the bag unto the overhead storage bin.

Most airlines don’t usually check or weigh your carry on items when you board and don’t usually bother unless your luggage “too obviously” over-packed. Weight limits are more strictly enforced on regional and smaller planes because of safety regulations, so keep this in mind.

International flights have more restrictions when it comes to weight limits and you may not get away from having your carry on items weighted so check the size chart below to see the weight limits and allowances.

What is a Personal Item?

Along with your carry on luggage/suitcase, most airlines will allow you to take a small personal item like a laptop bag that can fit under the seat. Restrictions on personal items vary from one airline to another and they’re usually not very specific about these restrictions.

The general rule of thumb is the item has to be smaller and weigh less than your carry on bag. If traveling with a child, you’re usually allowed to carry your stroller on top of your carry on luggage. The same is true for musical instruments and highly fragile items.

If you’ve purchased a premium or business class tickets, the airlines will usually provide extra weight and items allowance. Again, this varies between airlines so check the size chart by expanding the +/- button to see what’s allowed on premium/business class.

How to Choose the Best Carry On Luggage?

Everyone has a preference when it comes to travel gear. So travelers like the convenience of rolling luggage and some prefer to stuff everything in a backpack.

Ultimately, it all depends on your needs and suits your style of travel. I have a couple of rolling luggage that I use for shorter-term travel in cities (1 – 2 weeks), I have several backpacks for long-term travel (a few months), and I also have photography focused luggage and backpacks specifically for photography trips.

In a hurry to find the best luggage? Check out the best of the rest below:

Best International Carry On Luggage

Arcido Akra – Best Carry On Backpack

The Arcido Akra is a 35L backpack that’s carry on compliant.

It’s made of 500D nylon so it’s fairly weather-resistant and very lightweight at just 2.4lbs.

There’s a dedicated laptop compartment that’s rated to fit up to 15 inches but I carry my 17-inch laptop in it with no issues.

The streamlined minimalistic design makes it easy to organize your things without any fuss.

If you want an even more simplistic design, check out the Arcido Faroe, it also earns our high marks.

See the Arcido Akra on Amazon

Samsonite Omni – Best Carry On Roller (Hardside)

This slick carry on luggage provides optimal spaces for your stuff in a small durable over-head bin fitting package.

The 20-inch version will fit 99% of all carry on standards from any airlines.

The hard side material means it can withstand the abuse and harsh conditions of long-term travel.

The Omnidirectional roller wheels mean it’s very convenient to lug around and keeps your arms from getting tired.

It’s durable, expandable, lightweight, stylish, with a 10-year warranty – that’s why it’s one of our favorites.

See the Samsonite Omni on Amazon

Travelpro Maxlite 5 – Best Carry On Roller (Softside)

How to Use the Carry On Chart:

• You can pick the region where your airline operates or you can search directly in the search box to find your specific airline
• The dimensions column list the allowed size in imperial measurement and directly below the imperial measurement is the metric version
• The allowance column is the total weight (all items combined) that are allowed for each airline for economy/standard class
• The items column list the allowed items as carry on for each airline – see the legend below for what the icons delineate
• Use the Plus/Minus icon to toggle between economy and business/premium class allowances
• The more info will take you to the airline’s baggage information page

Legend:

= Personal item (usually a small bag you can fit under the seat)

= Carry on luggage/bag (luggage you can fit in the airline’s overhead bin)

= More info (takes you to the airline’s baggage information page for additional details)

Carry On Size Chart (180+ Airlines)

I’m providing this chart as a resource for everyone but I can’t be held responsible for any discrepancies from the various airlines herein as their websites get updated and this chart might lag behind.

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The post Carry On Luggage Size Chart – 180 Airlines International/Domestic appeared first on Always Wanderlust.

Are you planning for a Montenegro vacation and searching for an inexpensive hotel or hostel? If yes, then you have reached the right place! In this post, you will come across five best hostels and budget hotels that will be perfect for backpackers visiting Montenegro.

However, before you plan for your holiday, you should know the best time of the year to visit Montenegro.

Backpackers usually prefer visiting Montenegro in the months of July and August, which are the summer months of the country as well as the peak travel season. If you do not want to face the crowds, then you can travel in the months of May, June, September, and October.

During these months, the sun is milder so you can easily go for outdoor activities like cycling and hiking. However, always remember that there can be sporadic rains in the mountains, so carrying your belongings in a waterproof backpack is of utmost importance.

The accommodation also depends on the months of travel as, during the peak season, hotels would be most expensive in comparison to other seasons. However, the below-mentioned list of budget hostels and hotels would undoubtedly help you to pick the right accommodation.

Best Hostels For Backpackers In Montenegro

Freedom Hostel Budva, Montenegro

Located in Budva Old Town, Freedom Hostel Budva is a perfect place for young backpackers who want to experience Budva at its best! You can select any of the fourteen rooms that are available in the hostel for your stay. Each room provides facilities like climate control, air-conditioning, laundry, housekeeping, central heating, Wi-Fi, and more.

You will be provided with a locker room and luggage storage room to keep your belongings safely. Bathrooms have to be shared with other backpackers. During the day, you can spend your time at Mogren Beach and Slovenian Beach. Evenings can be well-spent in the nearby bars while gulping down a few Rakija, which is the local beverage of the Balkans.

Check Availability for Freedom Hostel

Underwoods Zabljak Guesthouse

The Underwoods Zabljak Guesthouse is located in Zabljak and is about 3kms away from Black Lake. The guesthouse offers free Wi-Fi, family rooms, heating facilities, free private parking, and more.

It is close to the bus station and located in a peaceful neighborhood. The rooms are comfortable, clean, and spacious. Depending on the number of travelers, you can book for a private single bed, double bed, or triple bedroom.

The bathroom has to be shared with other guests. You can order for food in the guesthouse that will be cooked by the hosts, and relish it together with other guests at the open-air terrace.

Alternatively, you can visit the nearby restaurant, supermarket, café, etc., which is about 0.2kms away and eat whatever you desire. The owners are very helpful and would provide guidance for sightseeing, further bookings, and more.

Check Availability for Underwoods Zabljak

Hostel Pupa, Kotor

It is a 4-star hostel that provides accommodation to adults only. Situated on the seafront in Kotor, Hostel Pupa features dormitory rooms with free Wi-Fi.

With each bed, you will be provided a locker to keep your belongings safely. The hostel features a shared lounge and a terrace where you can spend time with fellow travelers.

A shared kitchen has been provided where you can cook simple dishes. In the lobby, you can enjoy tea, coffee, or hot chocolate while listening to music.

Kotor has been declared as UNESCO World Heritage site, so your stay in this beautiful medieval old town would make your trip memorable.

Check Availability for Hostel Pupa

Hostel Center, Ulcinj

Hostel Center offers easy access to Old Town Ulcinj and is about 4kms away from Long beach. You can book for a bed in the triple room or four-bed dorm that provides amenities like a private locker, LCD TV, writing table, mini bar, heating, air-conditioning, etc.

The bathroom has to be shared among other guests, and you will be provided with toiletries as well as towels.

You can use the terrace for sunbathing and relaxing. Free parking, bicycle for hire, laundry, ironing facility, free Wi-Fi, and luggage storage area are some more facilities that will be provided to each guest.

If you are interested in cooking your meals, then the shared kitchen area can be used, which has necessary utensils.

The electric kettle has also been provided for fulfilling your tea and coffee requirements.

Check Availability for Hostel Center

Explorer Hostel Podgorica

If you are a budget backpacker, then you can consider staying at Explorer Hostel Podgorica, which is one of the cheapest hostels in Montenegro. Since Podgorica is the capital city of Montenegro, your trip would be incomplete if you do not visit the city for its beautiful rivers and bridges.

The hostel is located a few minutes away from the bus station, so traveling in and around the city would get simpler.

There are several tours that are offered by the hostel staff for exploring the city as well as Montenegro country. So, you will always find like-minded travelers to share your travels as well as expenses.

You can either stay at the dorm, private room, or apartment. Every room provides free Wi-Fi, air-conditioners, and a computer to use. Evenings can be spent by having conversations and sharing information with other guests in the common area. The friendly staffs are always available to help in the context of organizing your trip, renting a car, and more.

Check Availability for Hostel Podgorica

Budget Hotels For Backpackers In Montenegro

Hotel Kerber, Podgorica

Located in the heart of Podgorica, Hotel Kerber is the first choice of backpackers for a few reasons. It is about 20m away from the main street, which becomes a promenade after 5 p.m., so travelers can experience the nightlife of Montenegro.

Hotel Kerber is a 3-star hotel with friendly staff that ensures your stay is a relaxing and comfortable one.

Each room provides facilities like unlimited Wi-Fi, satellite TV, room service, mini bar, and more. A supermarket and a movie theatre are in close vicinity of the hotel, so you won’t have to travel much for necessities and entertainment.

Breakfast is served in the room, and you may request them to cook something as per your choice. In spite of providing all these facilities, they hardly charge much, so it certainly is a good budget hotel for backpackers.

Check Availability for Hotel Kerber

Apartments Grloman, Sveti Stefan

If you are looking for accommodation that offers a sunny balcony, kitchen, family bathroom with bathtub, ironing facility, housekeeping, etc., then you should book Grloman apartments.

It is located in a suitable area for backpackers as they can visit a national park, lakes, monastery, and other attractions easily.

Some more amenities that you will get with the room are safety deposit box and complimentary parking. If you book a room with sea views, then you will also get a mini-bar and climate control facility.

The kitchen is well-equipped with essential utensils, microwave oven, washing machine, and electric kettle to make tea/coffee whenever desired. In the evenings, you can spend your time hiking, fishing, and playing table tennis.

Check Availability for Apartments Grloman

Boutique Hotel Vela, Budva

The Boutique Hotel Vela is about 1km away from Morgren Beach, so if you want to spend your holiday on the beach, then this would be the best budget hotel to select in Montenegro.

Some more attractions that are close to the hotel are Morgren Fort, Holy Trinity Church, and Top Hill Club. The rooms are incredibly spacious and clean.

There is an ample amount of space for parking your vehicle, which is secured and free of cost. In each room, you will get complimentary Wi-Fi and luggage storage space. Restaurant, bar, and a garden is within the premises, so you do not have to go hunting for meals.

Depending on your days of travel, the price of each room would differ, so check them out before you plan your holiday. It’s a 4-star hotel that provides fantastic facilities, so book your stay now.

Check Availability for Boutique Hotel Vela

Kotor Nest

Situated in Kotor Stari Grad district of Kotor, the hotel features several rooms, and each room has air-conditioner, closet, heating, ironing facility, and satellite TV along with other amenities.

If you are traveling in a group and would prefer cooking your own meals, then you can opt for a room that has a kitchen, dishwasher, oven, and fridge. Or, else you can book a private room and use the kitchen and lounge that will be shared with other guests.

Free Wi-Fi will be provided in each room as well as the common areas within the premises. The Northern Gate, Church of St. Nicholas, Kotor Clock Tower, Kamelija Shopping Centre, and Kotor Cathedral are some of the popular attractions that are close to Kotor Nest.

Tivat Airport is the nearest to the hotel, which is about 6 miles away.

Check Availability for Kotor Nest

Villa Marinero, Ulcinj

If you want to enjoy your evenings beside the sea, then you should book your stay at Villa Marinero. A few attractive features of the villa are garden views, bar, terrace, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Each unit of the villa has a seating area, kitchen, fridge, flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, and a patio that offers beautiful sea views. Few units even have a balcony or a dining area. You may share your preference at the time of booking your room.

To explore the nearby areas easily, there is a bicycle and car rental service available at the villa. Within 5 minutes you can reach the beach and have a relaxing day or engage in snorkeling and fishing.

There are several bars, restaurants, and a museum in close vicinity, so if you are not interested in cooking your meals, then you can have them at the numerous restaurants.

Check Availability for Villa Marinero

To conclude, depending on your preferences and itinerary, you can pick one or more hotels/hostels from the aforesaid list and have a wonderful vacation in Montenegro. If you’d rather get with Airbnb, use my discount code to get up to $55 off!

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This post was contributed by Astraveler

Author Bio: Astraveler is from Lithuania. He has been to almost 50 countries and still actively counting. Due to such an interesting travel experience, he started a blog to share his knowledge with the world.

The post The Best Montenegro Hotels and Hostels for the Budget Conscious appeared first on Always Wanderlust.

What is the Capital of Scandinavia?

None. It’s kind of a silly question. Scandinavia is not a country at all and therefore does not have a capital. Scandinavia is a region that comprises of several countries that are some of the most pristine places in the world to visit. To be exact, Scandinavia encompasses Denmark, Norway, and Sweden but the lines are blurred when Iceland and Finland are thrown into the mix, and that point it’s also called Nordic Countries. You can, however, say there are Scandinavian Capitals.

If you have yet to visit these destinations, you are missing out on a lot of fun. Get a chance to visit Norway, Iceland, and Sweden, among other countries by having a quick stopover with connective flights across the vast Atlantic Ocean.

Are you planning to visit any of the Scandinavian / Nordic nation’s capitals? It’s a chance to experience the remarkable, breathtaking wonders of each Scandinavian city. You will get to have a deep appreciation for each difference that each city brings out. The various capitals have a variety of things to offer and are more than worth visiting.

If you’re planning to explore Scandinavia, you must check out all the capital cities. Here’s a guide to all 5 of the Scandinavian capitals as well as the best places to stay in any budget.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Here’s one of the Scandinavia hipped metro cities. It prides itself on the exquisite cycling lanes as well as minimalist designs. Get your shopping hat on as the town has lots of design stores, luxurious boutiques as well as cafes which provide the world’s best styles.

Do you enjoy a variety of delicious meals? Danish cuisine is more dynamic than you could think. You can start with casual choices like the Smorrebrod, which is butter and bread. You can top up this meal with smoked salmon, prawns, cheese, among other tasty options.

Copenhagen has more than 15 Michelin starred restaurants. The two-star Noma is one of the best restaurants worldwide. You ought to pay a visit to this restaurant and dine in it. However, if you are searching for budget-friendly meal options, you can choose the Vesterbro neighborhood. There are numerous quaint cafes that you can select.

Take a coffee break and visit the rest of Copenhagen city. For a change of scenery, you can visit Christiana. It’s a self-governing residential enclave. It is famous for cannabis as well as street art. There are plenty of music venues, shops as well as cafes. Get a chance to hang out by the beautiful lake as well as several treehouses. You can visit the Amalienborg palaces, which is home to the Danish royal family. One can explore the grounds and go near the King’s garden.

If you have a deeper appreciation for art, you can visit some of the world’s renowned collections. You can visit the Danish national gallery as well as the Louisiana museum of modern art. Other independent art grounds are worth paying a visit to at any time.

Cycling is the ideal way to savor the moment while in Copenhagen. The city was designed with sustainable living at heart. You can use the donkey republic mobile app to get a bicycle. There is also another app known as Bycklen. It’s available 24/7 throughout the year. Get to access their services via having an online account. The electric bikes are equipped with a touchscreen navigation system. Thus, you won’t have to worry about getting lost within the city.

Best Places To Stay in Copenhagen

If you’re visiting Copenhagen anytime soon or in the future. Below are the recommended best places to stay in Copenhagen, broken down by your budget:

Oslo, Norway

Most travelers enjoy visiting Norway due to its spectacular fjords. Nonetheless, Oslo is a must-visit, as well. Take this opportunity to look at the edgiest capitals in the Nordic region. You can head out to Astrup Fearnley Museet for the fascinating art scene. It’s a breathtaking modern sail-like structure that is in the Oslofjord. It houses some magnificent contemporary art pieces.

An individual can also look at the Rod Bianco. It’s an exquisite gallery that tends to showcase the artworks of both current and less known artists. To see Oslo at its best, you must immerse yourself into the colorful café culture as well as samples. It’s a chance to enjoy the different delicacies that will leave you yearning for more.

Grunerlokka is the ideal starting point to see this great city. It was once a dive bar. It combines Korean, Icelandic, as well as Norwegian techniques as well as ingredients to its cuisines. The bass is an alternative take to ancient Norwegian fare. It’s a trendy corner situated in Grunerlokka.

Oslo has typical artisan shops, which are excellent for a warm cup of joe. Get yourself one after long-running Fuglen or peloton’s multipurpose bike/café shop

In as much as this city has plenty of modern styles, there’s a rich history that celebrates the city’s origin. You can visit the Akershus Festning, which is at the harbor in Oslo. It’s a sprawling medieval elaborate fortress that dates to the 14^th century. It has medieval castles as well as active military installments.

You can use the drawbridge to enter the fortress before the crowds begin to flock in. There’s also the Vikingskipshuset, which provides a unique chance to view into the life of Norwegian’s Viking ancestors. There are three longboats that go recovered in the 1800s from the Oslofjord’s, and it serves as a centerpiece in the museum.

Best Places To Stay in Oslo

Below are the best places to stay in Oslo, in any budget:

Helsinki, Finland

You can visit the Lutheran cathedral, which is a colossal domed cathedral. It serves as the Helsinki’s unofficial symbol as its part of the city’s magnificent charm. Finland prides itself on the highest number of saunas. There’s roughly one sauna for every two persons.

The Finn’s enjoy alternating between plunging into the frigid lakes and the sauna. To experience this, one ought to visit the countryside. Helsinki has sauna options, but you’ll have to substitute the pine-fringed lake for the harbor.

The initial SkySauna has a sauna that is gender specified. There are two which are heated while one is a harbor fed pool. Enjoy the fantastic rooftop bar, which gets fully packed when there’s an array of sunlight. You also want to visit the SummerSauna as its another adventure in waiting. It’s a ferry that has a sauna for nearly ten individuals.

There are very many islands that are inter-connected to Helsinki via a short ferry. One famous one is the Suomenlinna. It was once a might sea fortress in the Baltic. It got established in the 1700s by the Swedish rule. However, in 1800, the Swedish gave up the fort to Finland. There are small bohemian populations as well as artists who inhabit the island.

Helsinki prides itself on the long summer sun. It thus enables tourists and locals to enjoy a swim at the brisk Baltic. There’s another island by the name Pihlajasaari island. It is quite uncommon among tourists. However, you can take a trip and enjoy a Karhu beer on the white sandy beaches to take a break from the city.

Best Places To Stay in Helsinki

Here are the best places to stay in Helsinki whether you’re traveling in luxury or budget:

Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm is one of the largest metropolitan cities, which is shockingly navigable as well as intimate. It is strategically on the lake Malaren waters. There are 14 islands connected by nearly 50 bridges as well as underground metros.

Stockholm is the perfect blend of the new and the old. It’s a city that prides itself on renowned industrial designs as well as a trendy bar. There are the cobblestone lanes which meander vis the Gamla Stan which is Stockholm’s old town

The city has a lively art as well as museum scenery. If you are searching for the perfect museum, you can always bet on the Moderna Museet. It features prominent art pieces by Andy Warhol as well as Salvador Dali. That’s not all.

Get a sneak pick at the Vasamuseet. The museum recognizes the crafty Swedish fashion, the gigantic unsuccessful Vasa warship. The Vasa warship was 225 feet long, with 160 feet tall. It failed the Swedish crown by tipping within minutes, thus sinking with so many casualties. It was expertly salvaged in the year 1961 and reassembled to what it has become today.

Take a tour at the Kungliga Slottet. It serves as the royal castle. It houses most of the governmental buildings. You can get a guided tour through the baroque-style interior.

Don’t forget about the Ikea and the Swedish meatballs. Other mind-blowing itineraries will change your whole perception of Sweden. The country is known for the Stockholm’s coffee shops, museums as well as independent boutiques. If you still crave for the meatballs, you ought to sample the Skagen, moose as well as pickled herring.

Stockholm is the Swede’s top priority when it comes to life balance. Nearly thirty percent of Stockholm encompasses a designated green space. It makes the cross-country skiing as well as ice skating possible during the winter during the summer, and one can get to enjoy kayaking from the center of the city. There are nearly 24000 rocky archipelago islands as well as islets in Stockholm which have become covered with adorable red cottages and pines.

Best Places To Stay in Stockholm

Here are our recommended and best places to stay in Stockholm on any budget:

Reykjavik, Iceland

Iceland is quite famous due to its breathtaking landscapes. They include the volcanoes, glacier, thousands of waterfalls, hot springs as well as the fjords. If you want to travel through the air, the primary airport is the Keflavik. It’s a 40-minutes drive from Reykjavik, which is Iceland’s capital.

Most travelers spend a little part of their travel time within the city before venturing out into the rugged fascinating wilderness. However, there are various reasons why you can choose to spend time in the city more so during the weekends. Icelandic enjoy a refreshing drink into the dark winters all through the warm summers to celebrate the changing seasons.

There’s unofficial pub crawl within Reykjavik, which goes by the name Runtur. Enjoy the beautiful nightlife by partying through the weekend at bars as well as clubs. Many pubs within the Laugavegur street will turn your weekend into your best living days. There are other options, including the Prikid as well as Lebowski, where you can choose to spend your time. There are other top spots that you can visit during the day. Cafés such as Solon are worth a visit before your turn to the night dance halls.

The city has plenty of cultural sceneries with many music festivities as well as concerts. Enjoy the magnificent orchestra headlining into the airwaves. There’s a shiny bright cubic Harpa. It hosts nearly everything to do with orchestras. Get a unique chance to enjoy the musical performances. There’s the Hurra, which provides an intimate atmosphere with a little touch of staging and dancing floors in the compact bar. The night entertainment isn’t all there is to Reykjavik city.

Various restaurants offer delightful modernized Scandinavian dishes. Try the fermented sharks, among other classic cuisines. They include the reindeer burgers as well as puffins at Grillmarkadurinn. You can check out the new Scandinavian fare at the Nordic houses DILL restaurant. If you are searching for a more casual meal, you can head out to Bejarins Beztu Pylsur. They serve the best hot dogs in Iceland. They are lamb-based hotdogs with a little ketchup, mustard, onion as well as mayonnaise topping.

You should try and pay a visit to the Icelandic Phallological Museum. It’s a quirky museum that stands out from any museum around the world. It holds dear a series of phallic specimen collections. These specimens are for different types of mammals that can be found in one country.

Best Places To Stay in Reykjavik

Here are our recommended and best places to stay in Reykjavik on any budget:

To Sum Up

Don’t forget to check the itineraries when choosing a city within the Scandinavian region. You can wish to consult a tour guide on the best tourist destination cities. You can add the information gathered to use it while planning a trip to Scandinavia.

For you to have the Best Scandinavian Tours & Trips in 2020 and beyond, you ought to visit each city in the Nordic countries. These cities have so much to offer than one could fathom. It’s a chance to break the monotony and experience different scenery for a change. Once you visit the Nordic region, your view of life will become transformed. The area offers a unique travel experience that you can’t find elsewhere in the world.

The above guideline will set you on the right cause as you begin packing your bags to head out to the Nordic region. The Scandinavian capitals are among the many pristine destinations within the whole of the Nordic region. Their natural wonders can hardly get compared with other cities in the world. You ought to make these capitals your next priority while headed out for vacations. Get a genuine feel of the Nordic capitals by heading out to holiday in the region.

Ready To Visit All The Scandinavian Capitals?

The post A Comprehensive Guide to the 5 Scandinavian Capitals appeared first on Always Wanderlust.

Camping allows you to leave behind the stress of work or school and get in touch with the outdoors. It’s also a great way to spend some quality time with the family and experience a more quaint way of living for a little while. Having essential camping accessories can make living the outdoor life more comfortable and more fun.

Most camping sites, especially those in state and national parks, provide comforts like picnic tables, a parking spot, and even a designated place to pitch your tent.

Some even offer running water and bathroom facilities, which means that you don’t need to bring as many items with you.

However, you shouldn’t skip packing the essential camping accessories.

Having the right items allows you to make the most of your trip and eliminate stress.

But what exactly are these must-have accessories?

Read on and find out:

1 – Tent Gear

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Unless you plan to sleep inside an RV or a van, then you should always double-check to make sure that you’ve packed a tent.

Otherwise, you might as well settle for a long night of swatting away mosquitoes and bugs or risk getting drenched by the rain.

When it comes to tents, you have a wide variety to choose from, such as survival tents, canvas tents, cold weather tents, and so on.

Size matters too.

Dome tents are adequate for one or two people while cabin tents can house anywhere from six to twelve.

The latter is usually quite high as well, proving enough room for you to stand upright while moving about.

Unless you’ve got an instant tent like this CORE 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent, you’ll need to bring along pitching tools like poles, tarps, tie-downs, and stakes as well.

We have more detailed reviews on the different types of tents and sizes below:

• Backpacking Tents
• 4 Person Tents
• 6 Person Tents
• 8 Person Tents
• 10 + Person Tents

2 – Sleeping Bags

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A good, comfy sleeping bag can prevent your back from feeling sore when you wake up the next morning.

A good sleeping bag can also keep you warm and protected during those long cold nights in the mountains.

Like tents, there are different types of sleeping bags to choose from that vary in weight and the amount of insulation they provide.

Your choice should depend on the type of terrain you plan to camp in and the predicted temperature of the camping site.

The TETON Sports Queen-Size Sleeping Bag fits is a solid choice for those camping out with a friend or significant other.

It can comfortably house two and provides enough elevation so that you won’t be bothered by hard terrain.

It’s also double-layered, meaning you’ll always be plenty warm.

3 – Camping Chairs

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Between taking hikes and sleeping, you’re probably going to be sitting a lot in the camping site, taking in the view or having a relaxed chat with your friends or family.

Sitting on the ground isn’t ideal. In addition to getting your pants dirty, it might also be quite tough on your back and rear.

The better solution is to bring along a camping chair for each person on the trip. A comfortable camping chair with footrest like the Seatopia Camping Recliner can help make those campfire stories more enjoyable and relaxed.

It’s got built-in cupholders and a storage bag so that you can always have a cup of coffee and a good book within reach. It’s pretty lightweight and foldable, meaning that it’s easy to carry around. At the same time, it’s strong enough to support up to 300 pounds.

4 – Water Container and Filtration System

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Most campsites will provide plenty of fresh, drinkable water.

So, in that case, you’d only need to bring a container with you, like this handy one from WaterBrick.

One of these can carry up to 3.5 gallons of water, and they’re quite slender, meaning you save space in the trunk by stacking them up.

But what if the campsite doesn’t have a public water pump or a tap line? In that case, you’ll need to rely on natural sources like a lake or creek.

Instead of betting on how clean the water is, we highly recommend that you get yourself a portable water filtration system.

The Sawyer MINI Water Filtration system is quite popular among campers everywhere. It’s easy to use, weighs practically nothing, and removes all water-borne pathogens, including the giardia and cryptosporidium (which commonly cause nausea and diarrhea), as well as microplastics.

5 – First-Aid Kit

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If you plan to go on hikes, then it’s best to bring along emergency supplies like bandages, gauze, and painkillers, especially if the campsite is a long drive away from any store or hospital.

You will likely never use the first aid kit 99.99% of the time, but you don’t want to be caught without one in emergencies that can happen 0.01% of the time.

You can either pack your own basic first aid kit or get a pre-made kit like this one from Surviveware, which includes everything you could need to deal with cuts, scrapes, and bruises.

If you think the above is too heavy to carry on hikes, at the very least, consider carrying a mini first aid kit, it should provide you with enough things to deal with small emergencies.

6 – Insect Repellant

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One of the most significant drawbacks of going camping is having to deal with bugs, especially mosquitoes in season.

Not only are they annoying, but they can carry diseases as well, especially mosquitoes.

So before you leave on your camping trip, always make sure that you’ve packed one or two insect repellants.

The Repel HG-94108 100 Insect Repellent is probably one of the best you can buy.

It keeps away all kinds of mosquitoes, even those that carry Zika, West Nile, and Dengue viruses.

Its formula contains 98.11 DEET, so you know it’s powerful, but be careful having it around plastic surfaces as the chemical can cause it to melt.

If you’re sensitive to DEET, or just nor comfortable putting chemicals on your skin, consider plant-based insect repellent like Repel Lemon Eucalyptus repellent.

8 – Sunscreen

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A nasty sunburn can quickly turn a fun time into a harrowing experience.

Since most of us go camping in the summer, it’s essential to make sure that you’re well protected from the sun at all times.

Coppertone ULTRA GUARD SPF 70 is a great sunscreen lotion to bring along on your trip.

It’s quite inexpensive but very effective, giving your skin a generous dose of vitamin E while blocking out harmful UVA/UVB rays.

It’s also water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, so you can leave it on while you take a dip.

9 – Rainproof Apparel

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If you anticipate rain, bring some light rainproof clothes instead of a coat.

Even if you don’t anticipate rain, bring one anyway.

You never know what the weather can bring, and it’s always better to be prepared than not.

Coats can keep you warm, but they’ll be pretty much useless if the weather turns around suddenly.

Something more breathable like this Wantdo Men’s Windbreaker can protect you from the rain while also making sure that you don’t get baked alive if the temperature starts to get warmer.

10 – Cooler

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Coolers help prevent your food from going bad for the duration of your trip.

Leaving your meals out in the open isn’t the least bit ideal, considering that there could be a lot of contaminants floating around in the air.

The last thing you want is to get food poisoning while out camping!

Coolers are indispensable when it comes to keeping your beverages cold.

If you’re planning an outdoor trip with your beer-drinking buddies, you’ll probably need to carry a decently-sized unit like this 50 Quart Coleman Wheeled Cooler.

It can hold up to 84 cans, meaning you’ll definitely be able to carry enough beer or cola to last your entire trip.

11 – Walkie Talkie

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Staying safe should be your number one priority while you’re out hiking in the wilderness.

There’s no telling how and when you might find yourself in grave danger without anyone nearby to help you.

In such scenarios, the right survival tools can save your life.

We’re talking about items like compasses, paper maps, walkie talkies paracords, and more: things that can get you out of most tight situations.

A good walkie talkie in particular, like the Midland – X-TALKER T75VP3, can help to keep you tethered to your friends and family while you’re outside the cellphone range.

The T75VP3 sports a rugged, water-resistant construction and provides coverage of up to 38 miles.

Plus like any good radio, it’s got dedicated weather alert channels, so you’re never caught unawares by a storm or something similar.

12 – LED Lantern

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You can’t rely on just a campfire for lighting since you’ll have to put it out eventually.

Therefore, it’s always good to have a backup light source like an LED Lantern for emergencies or a game of poker in the middle of the night.

Plus, it’ll help you make it back and forth from the restroom safely.

This EZORKAS Collapsible Rechargeable LED Camping Lantern is a perfect choice if you want a powerful light source without busting the bank.

You can power it up with 3 AA batteries or simply plug it into a power bank using a USB cable.

Plus, its lightweight and water-resistant, meaning you can carry it along with you on a hike without a hassle.

13 – Portable Toilette

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Just because you’re going out into the wild for a few days, doesn’t mean that you should neglect your hygiene.

In fact, you should be more concerned about it since you’ll be exposed to way more contaminants than usual.

If you’re heading to a campsite that offers restrooms with flush toilets, then you’re in luck.

If not, it’s probably best to bring along a portable camping toilet.

The Camco Portable Travel Toilette is a solid choice for campers.

It comes fitted with a 2.5-gallon tank and a bellows-type pump that flushes water into it for waste removal.

The travel toilet only weighs about 12 pounds but can support up to 330 pounds.

14 – Fire Starters

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Being able to start a fire with flint is a very useful skill.

However, it can be enormously frustrating if it just doesn’t work out.

You could keep yourself and your friends and family out in the cold for hours while you try to get a campfire started.

To prevent this from happening, we recommend bringing a few packs of UST WetFire Tinder so that you can get a fire going immediately.

One pack can burn for up to five minutes so they can be quite useful in emergency situations as well.

15 – Survival Knife

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You can accomplish a lot of things with a good survival knife, such as cutting a length of rope, skinning meat, or fashioning a walking stick for yourself.

You can also use it to cut through any vegetation that gets in your way while you’re hiking.

Most campers tend to carry pocket knives with them, which are great for simple, everyday use.

However, for more demanding tasks, we highly recommend using a neck knife like this CRT Minimalist Bowie Knife.

It’s got a compact blade and a very comfortable grip, so you definitely won’t mind using it for long periods of time.

16 – Camping Stove

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The truth is there’s no telling whether you can use a campfire for cooking your meals because some sites actually have a fire ban.

Hence, it’s best to bring along a portable stove like this trusty Coleman Gas Stove.

It can fit in a 12-inch and 10-inch pan at the same time, and you get two independent burner controls, which means that you can cook two different things at once.

One of the most grating things about cooking with a campfire is having to battle against the wind constantly. The Coleman Gas stove comes fitted with two Wind Block panels, eliminating this problem entirely.

Preparation is the key to a successful camping trip. It helps you eliminate stress and just have a grand time with your friends and family. So before you set out on your next trip, take the time to ensure that you’ve packed all of the camping essentials. Make sure you know as much as possible about your camping site as well because depending on what facilities it offers, you could shave off some extra load. However, try not to skip on any of the items mentioned in this article, regardless of where you’re going.

What’s Your Favorite Camping Accessories?

Pint It

The post 16 Must Have Camping Accessories For Your Backcountry Adventure appeared first on Always Wanderlust.

From National Parks to local trails, hiking is a great pastime and one of our favorites. It’s cheap and free most of the time, and just about anyone can enjoy it. There are many trails to tackle and fit for almost every age and fitness level. It’s also more fun if you have the right equipment so having a “hiking gear list” is a must.

Wandering off into the great outdoors and on foot is very relaxing. It’s an excellent escape from everyday life. But hiking is an adventure full of surprises. And as such, you should be prepared; whether you’re climbing mountains or trekking through the desert.

What to Bring Hiking?

From protection to food, you want to be ready for anything. What you pack in your backpack can help or ruin your fun. Your safety and comfort should be your top priority and then have fun after. So set yourself up for a happy, healthy hike.

You’ll be grateful you were prepared, especially when an item comes in handy or saves your life. It just takes a little time and effort. And there are items available in every price range.

But where do you even start with a packing list? We have rounded up a hiking gear list to bring hiking with you. They are helpful when setting off on any hike. From large to small, each one serves a specific purpose.

1 – A Hiking Backpack

Duh. It’s obvious, and unless you’re a well-trained trail marathon runner, you’ll need one. But many people overlook the importance of choosing the right backpack. There are several factors to consider. Think about your priorities when selecting the perfect pack for you. Are you going for long multi-day hikes? A day hike? Backpacks vary for different purposes.

The support can make or break the comfort of a backpack. Where does the weight settle in? You want to look for a backpack that centers the pressure on your hips. If not, your shoulders will suffer on long hikes.

You might want to consider looking into specialized packs. There are types created for specific genders and body types.

Size does matter. You want to look for a pack that makes sense for the length of your typical hikes. If you are a short trail wanderer, a smaller backpack will do. But are you ready to take on something longer? You’ll need much more space to accommodate your supplies.

You’ll want to consider how you’ll organize your bag. It’s not helpful to have supplies you can’t find in your backpack. Look for pockets of various sizes. These will give you designated places for your gear.

External pockets are helpful for easy access to your most-used equipment. Straps and clips are great ways to attach items you use a lot.

Your backpack must be functional. Consider looking for features like water bladders. An insulated pocket is helpful for food storage. Are you into winter or primitive hiking? Attachment points for your trekking poles might be beneficial.

Your backpack is an extension of you on a hike. Make sure it works with you for comfort and convenience. Just take your time and try out hiking backpacks before you settle on one. It’s one of the essential pieces of gear you’ll purchase.

2 – Comfortable Footwear

Nobody likes blisters, and it’s no secret that hiking is hard on the feet. And your choice of footwear is vital. Make sure you choose wisely. It’s always good to have options. This is a personal choice and depends on your comfort.

Hiking footwear runs the gamut from sturdy to flexible. You can opt for a more protective and supporting hiking boot. Look for a style that supports your ankles well. You want to find a balance between sturdiness and lightweight comfort. Our editor personally loves his Indestructible Boots, which offer extra protection around the toes. Get 20% using our special code: ADONV73

Are you a fast walker? A runner, perhaps? Consider trail-running shoes. They are lightweight and provide excellent traction. These tend to be more comfortable for faster hikers. So if you plan to pick up the pace, it may be worth trying out.

It may be freeing to wear comfy hiking sandals from viakix.com. Or at least throw a pair in your bag.

They are perfect if you are headed to a trail with waterways. Sandals are much more comfortable for exploring a creek or lakeshore. And giving your feet some time to breathe on a hot day will be refreshing.

The most important thing is to make sure the footwear you choose fits well. Consider the various thicknesses of your socks you might wear. After buying, make sure to break shoes in before a long hike.

Your socks are an essential choice too. Many hikers opt for wool socks that breathe well and absorb moisture. Again, this is a personal choice, and you have to find what works best for you. Though it’s a good idea to throw an extra pair of socks in your backpack.

3 – Layers of Clothing

Extra clothing is always an important thing to include in your backpack. Your specific environment will govern what you need to pack. But you want to be ready for anything mother nature brings your way.

The best weathermen can get the forecast wrong. So dressing in layers is your best bet. And include a jacket in your backpack in case the temperature drops. It’s best to be prepared for anything. You may end up being out longer than expected, and a cool night comes.

Bringing along a poncho is also a good idea. Rainstorms can pop up, even on the sunniest of days. Trudging along soaking wet is no fun. A change of clothes is also helpful if you have space. Another great thing to carry is a packable down jacket, which is very lightweight and can pack down really small while keeping you very warm in cold situations.

4 – Protection from the Elements

Depending on the weather, you need different items to protect yourself from the elements. It’s essential to be prepared for whatever weather comes your way. Fortunately, these items are lightweight. This makes it easier for you to be prepared.

Sunny day hikes call for a good sunscreen. You can even get a lot of UVA and UVB exposure on cloudy days. So it’s a good idea to bring along a quality sunscreen like Sun Bum. And make sure to reapply every few hours.

Bug spray is essential in any weather above freezing. You want to protect yourself from uncomfortable bites. And you don’t want to pick up any nasty diseases bugs carry. Choose the long-lasting type formulated for use in the woods.

And don’t forget a good, quality lip balm. Look for a moisturizing one with SPF. This is important in cold weather or to prevent sunburn. It can also be used in a pinch to soothe sores or burns.

5 – Adequate Hydration

Water is so vital to staying healthy on a hike. You don’t want to find yourself dehydrated halfway through a long hike. You might be surprised at how thirsty you become. So planning ahead is essential.

Check the maps of your hiking area. Is there drinking water accessible? Water is heavy, so this gives you the option to lighten your load. Plan your route so you can stop at filling stations to replenish your water bottle.

You can also bring a water filter in the event you need to find water along your hike. This will allow you to treat water on the spot. Hydration tabs like Nuun are also light and helpful to bring along. You can dissolve one into any water for extra electrolytes.

6 -A First Aid Kit

Accidents happen, so a good first aid kit is essential. The trick is balancing well packed and lightweight. You want to consider your environment and its specific risks. You can purchase a kit or pack one yourself.

Make sure you have supplies for minor cuts and bruises. You’ll want to include bandages and antibiotic ointment. An after bug bite solution and anti-itch cream are always helpful. Tweezers are also great for removing splinters.

Think of your own medical needs. You may need extra allergy meds. Or extra bandaids if you are prone to blisters. And don’t forget an over the counter pain reliever if you are headache prone.

7 – Directional Tools

Even the most experienced hikers can veer off their path and get lost. It’s essential to make sure you have the tools to get back on course. They can also make it easier to find help if you need it. Fortunately, there are many options.

Make sure to print or pick up a map of the area before setting out. In the event of failed reception, you won’t be able to bring one up. Check where you are located on your map often to stay oriented. And keep it somewhere safe and dry in your backpack.

A compass is another essential hiking tool. Using a map is difficult if you get way off course or disoriented. Practice using your compass before hiking. You want to be calm and prepared when you need to use it. You can always use a specialized GPS tool like a Garmin, but if you’re tech-savvy like our editor, you can use an app on your phone that has a Topo map and uses its GPS instead of data or WiFi connection.

8 – Head and Eye Protection

A good hat and quality sunglasses are important. Besides making you look cool and legit, they help to protect your head and eyes. They will come in handy in different elements you face. Even if the weather doesn’t call for them, it’s best to bring them along.

Whether it’s hot or cool, your hat will serve several purposes. A cool-weather hat will keep you warm. But in warm weather, a brimmed hat can offer shade and protection from the sun. It can also protect your scalp from ticks lurking above.

Sunglasses are essential in protecting your eyes. This is especially true if you end up heading in the direction of the sun. Not only can the rays damage your retinas. But they can hinder your vision, making it difficult to hike safely.

9 – Plenty of Snacks

A good rule of thumb is to bring along a little more food than you think you’ll need. Hiking burns a ton of energy. And you might end up out longer than planned. You’ll need to refuel throughout your adventure to sustain yourself.

The stand-by hiking snacks like granola and trail mix are always great. You can also carb up with dried fruit and Clif Bars. And nut butter is full of protein. Calorie dense snacks are best to get the most of your space.

Whatever you choose, just make sure it’s quick and straightforward to eat. And in convenient packaging that’s easy to open. You want to eat and get back to enjoying your hike. Or you can pack options you can eat on the go.

10 – Fire Starting Materials

No one expects to get lost on a hike unless they’re Bear Grylls. But it’s important to be prepared for the worst possible scenario. Getting stuck spending an unexpected night outdoors is nerve-wracking. And knowing how to start a fire could save your life.

A fire will give you the means to stay warm overnight. It also provides a way to cook food. A good fire will also produce enough smoke to signal for help.

A lighter won’t take up much space and could be very useful. Firestarter sticks are also lightweight and dependable. With these two small items, you can start a fire in the roughest of conditions.

11 – Rescue Notification

Getting lost off the trail is a scary thought. So is suffering an injury that leaves you stranded. Make sure you have the tools to help yourself out of any situation. Give yourself the ability to notify anyone nearby that you need help.

An emergency whistle is lightweight. And it can be used to signal in the event of an emergency. Blow three short bursts into the whistle. Other hikers or rangers that hear it will know you’re in danger.

You might also want to invest in a portable beacon. This personal locator can send a GPS help signal. This is helpful in an area without cell service. They are expensive but can be lifesaving in a dire situation.

12 – Multi-Tool Knife

Now, who doesn’t have one of these? What boy (or girl) scout doesn’t have one? A good multi-tool knife is useful for so many purposes. So useful that many people choose to carry them all the time. And it’s essential to carry along on a hike. It can be helpful for both convenience and safety.

Having so many tools in a small size is perfect for your backpack. Find the right knife, and you’ll be prepared for anything. And you’ll want to make sure the size and weight and perfect for your needs.

Look for features that are important to you. The pliers and knife are often the most important part. Features like carabiner clips can come in handy. And some multi-tools even include safety whistles.

13 – Toilet Paper and Sanitizer

Hey, we’ve been caught in some emergencies when we were ill-prepared for when nature called. It’s always good to be prepared for this sort of situation. Trust us, some of us have been in situations where all we have are pine cones and sand (not fun). Don’t get caught in such situations. Even though you’re in the outdoors, cleanliness is essential. And you want to make sure you can avoid germs.

Bring along a roll of toilet paper. There are compact options available to fit better in your pack. It also makes an excellent alternative to tissues (or pinecones!). You can even bring along wet wipes for next-level clean.

Without reliable access to running water, look for other ways to clean. A small bottle of hand sanitizer is a must. You want to kill any bacteria you pick up before you eat. Alcohol wipes are a good idea to bring along to clean water bottles.

14 – Reusable Plastic Bags

Waterproof reusable bags are a great extra to throw in your bag. You never know when or what you will need them for. They are helpful for packaging food. And they have other convenient uses like stuffing them with the cool rocks you find in rivers.

Don’t ruin the wilderness you are trying to enjoy. There’s often a lack of trash cans on trails. Avoid littering or dropping trash. Use your bag to carry it with you until you can recycle it or throw it away.

Reusable bags are also perfect for stashing wet clothes. They can also help you better organize your hiking backpack. These bags are a great eco-friendly alternative to plastic. Plus, they are super easy to clean.

15 – Cell Phone and a Portable Charger

OK, so the point of hiking and being all out in nature is to get away and unplug. But you may benefit from bringing your cell phone along. And grabbing a portable charger along with it. Besides, you might just encounter an epic Instagram moment, and you would end up kicking yourself in the foot for not capturing it.

Your cell phone can be your most helpful navigating tool. Download a map when you have reliable service. A screenshot of a satellite view of the trail can be an excellent tool. These will be helpful even if you get lost and don’t have service.

Documenting your memories is important. And your cell phone is a great, compact camera. You don’t want to miss all the awesome shots of nature and scenery.

If you go out of your service area, your phone will roam and drain the battery. A portable charger is a must in this situation. You will be able to recharge right on the trail. Just make sure it’s charged before you head out.

Conclusion

The outdoors is our playground and yours. And, if you are going to explore it on foot like we are, come prepare as we are. Give yourself the peace of mind in knowing you have all the essentials. You can take on any challenge you face on the trail. You’ll be more confident and enjoy your hike more.

From plenty of food and water to your first aid kit, the basics are essential. And with good shoes and layers of clothing, your hike will be comfortable. You have your navigation tools and protection from the elements. So you can be sure of your safety.

Your backpack is well-rounded and primed for adventure. Get out there and get the most of your hike. Being prepared will give you the peace of mind to enjoy your adventure. And you’ll return to civilization safely with awesome memories.

Ready To Go On A Hike?

The post Hiking Gear List – What to Bring Hiking? appeared first on Always Wanderlust.

Ecuador is a small South American country situated between the countries of Columbia and Peru. The location is famous for its rich history, delicious cuisine, and the incredible ecological biodiversity found within its many landscapes. I’ve spent nearly two months exploring the country and even rented a flat for a month in Quito!

I’ve compiled a list for you guys as a resource for “when” you will visit Ecuador yourselves. It’s one of the better places to check in South America if you’re a first-time traveler.

Why?

Most people can speak English compared to other parts of South America! Yes, I can speak Spanish (broken) but I found it easier to communicate with people in Ecuador.

Also, another bonus. They use the America dollar as currency! No need to go on exchanges (Cambios) to split a dollar bill to pesos. Just use your plain old dollars bills and you’re good to go. Best of all, it’s cheap. Getting a decent meal for $4 at restaurants is ordinary and $2 street foods are common.

Ok, so there’s a little bit of political unrest (not too bad) at the moment but don’t let that dissuade you! Quito and other parts of Ecuador is a relatively safe place to travel. Exercise common sense and you should be able to avoid trouble or any scams you might come across.

Seriously though, if South America is on your horizon, I highly recommend you check out Ecuador!

Ecuador – A Brief History

One of the reasons Ecuador is such a fascinating place to explore is due to its hybridization of Spanish and local indigenous history. This rich history has provided the country with a diverse culture and plenty of intriguing sites.

Moreover, the mosaic of landscapes of the beach, the Amazon, and mountain range create a destination full of different picturesque scenes. On top of its natural beauty, the cities in Ecuador are equally beautiful.

Before diving into the 20 things to do in Ecuador, let’s learn a little bit about the origin of these destinations.

Pre Inca Civilization

Before the Spaniards claimed Ecuador under its dominion, numerous indigenous cultures flourished for 4,500 years until the rise of the Incan Empire. These pre-Incan groups subsisted in clans.

Later, they eventually developed into great tribes. These tribes left evidence of their existence in incredible archeological sites and artifacts that tourists can still witness to this day.

Incan Dominance of Ecuador

In 1436, the conquest of Ecuador began under the authority of the ninth Inca, a great warrior named Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui. It was a short reign of fewer than 100 years, full of brutal conflicts.

During this period, the Incan Emporer favored Ecuador so much he established the site of Quito as the second Incan capital city. Unfortunately for the Incans, the reign soon ended with the Spanish Conquest.

Spanish Conquest

An Incan civil was ongoing when the Spanish arrived with Francisco Pizarra. The Incans become severely weakened due to this war. This allowed the Spanish empire to easily conquer the area with a superior weapon. Additionally, for the very first time, the Incans saw Horses.

It wouldn’t be until August 10, 1809, that Quito gained its independence from Spain. Many of the things to do on this list, you can thank the Spaniards! Later, in 1830, Ecuador separated from Gran Colombia becoming an independent republic.

Best Things to Do in Ecuador

With so much to see and so much to do in the country I’ve compiled the best, that is to say, the most fun and crazy things to do in Ecuador below.

Stand in two Hemispheres at the Equator “Mitad Del Mundo”

Some things you just have to do at least once in your life. Flying out into space might out of reach but standing between two hemispheres of the planet is quite possible.

We certainly have. Taking a cheesy picture standing between the Northern and Southern hemispheres will be an Instagram hit.

The Mitad del Mundo

There are a few sites relating to the Equator. The major site is called the “Mitad del Mundo” or middle of the world. Here you will find a giant 90-foot monument that doesn’t exactly (it’s off by a few feet) stand in the middle of the world.

Nearby is the Intiñan museum with neat presentations and experiments including the changing of the Coriolis effect in the different hemispheres. Also, you’ll try balancing an egg on a nail, and witness a museum with models of shrunken heads – A practice with an indigenous culture of Ecuador.

Backpack the Quilatoa Crater

Quilatoa is a gorgeous water-filled 2-mile wide crater is a gorgeous formed from the collapse of a volcano approximately 600 years ago. The lake is 820 feet deep and has a bold blue hue that makes it a picturesque destination when the sun is shining.

Note: This destination sits at 3,914 m (12,841 ft). The elevation is no joke. Lots of places in Ecuador can give Everest a run for its money. Do your research on altitude sickness, and make sure you spend a few days acclimating before trying this.

How You Can Do It Yourself

Book a day trip or if you are a backpacker take a bus. There are various ways to explore this site. If you want to just have a nice view, it is free to enter the park and look over at the crater.

Feeling a little adventurous? Hike down 30 minutes, a 280-meter descent, where you can explore the water and hike back up 1-2 hours or camp for the night (It’s cold)

There is also a four to five-hour hike around the caldera (whose diameter is just over 3 km). If you are an adventurous backpacker, you can do the 4-5 day backpacking loop where you will sleep in cabins along the way.

Most travelers follow the route from Latacunga > Sigchos > Isinlivi > Chugchilan > Quilotoa > Latacunga. The hike has a total of 2152 meters/7,060 feet of ascent and 1,184 meters/3,884 feet total of descent, across approximately 30 kilometers/18.6 miles.

For full details look at this guide @ Practical Wanderlust

Stroll Into the Past with a Tour of the Spanish Influenced Historic Districts of Quito & Cuenca

With Spanish occupation came Spanish culture, architecture, and religion. This has led to the designation of the historic districts in Quito and Cuenca as UNESCO world heritage sites.

As you tour these districts, you find a plethora of large ornate churches. Additionally, the buildings are constructed with various styles. Some of the sites you have to see include:

• The magnificent Gothic Basilica of Quito
• The San Francisco Monastery
• The Iglesia de El Sagrario
• Catedral Metropolitana de la Inmaculada Concepción.

Peruse through cobblestone roads leading to large squares. All contain beautified green spaces. Generally, you’ll find statues of historic figures who shaped history in the country.

You can travel through these centers on your own time. However, take a guided tour if you desire lessons of what you are viewing.

Pro Tip: Some walking tours are available for free within the larger cities. Do a quick google search to find them.

Stroll through Cajas National Park

On the outskirts of Cuenca lies a massive national park. It’s notable for gorgeous trails crisscrossing evergreen cloud forests and lagoons. Witness wildlife like the Ecuadorian sigil Andean condor, giant hummingbirds, and raccoon-like coatis. This spot will be a pretty cold and possibly windy, so make sure to bring a nice coat!

Get misted in a Massive Waterfall – El Pailon de Diablo

Ecuador is full of waterfalls, but the Pailon De Diablo takes the cake. It translates to Devil’s Cauldron, derived from the ultra-powerful waterfall plunging into the bowl-shaped basin of the Rio Verde. (Green River).

This destination is 25 minutes from Baños de Agua Santa, so it should be combined. You will get wet, so bring a poncho. Otherwise, bring a second set of clothing, or just enjoy the refreshing water!

Climb Ecuador’s Snow-capped Mountains

Ecuador is a country sprinkled with breathtaking snow-capped volcanoes. You can take day trips to these volcanoes where you’ll trek to the base camps.

Here you will see climbers preparing for a journey to the summit. (You can too!) Grab a hot chocolate or cocoa tea, and then a bicycle down to the bottom!

One of Ecuador’s “claims to fame” is the Chimborazo Volcano, the highest volcano in the world. I know you are thinking Everest, but this mountain is higher measuring from the center of Earth. Because of the bulge of Earth at the Equator, Chimborazo is the closest point to the stars!

Other impressive Volcanoes include Cotapaxi, Antisana, and Chimborazo. All are climbable but pretty tough, you’ll be better off with experienced tour guides to tackle most of them!

Shop in the Otavalo Market

The Otavalo market is known for its large indigenous markets.

Within a farmer’s market, you will find customers farmers purchasing animals and vegetables. This will give you great insight into the world of the agricultural sector.

The Otovalo craft and clothing market has a treasure trove of items. You’ll find a wide variety of affordable products.

These include hand made leather items, world-famous Alpaca sweaters and carpets soft as cashmere. Other famous products include stylish ponchos and Panama hats. A little known secret, Panama hats originate from Ecuador!

Pro tip: Don’t purchase the first stall. Many of the stalls have the same items. Visiting them all, you can get a good idea of the worth of the product. If you buy more than one, that should shave a dollar or two off of every product. Make sure you bargain!

Take Pictures at the Panecillo in Quito

This is a statue of the Virgen of Quito sitting on a high hill in the Southern sector of Quito. In 1976, the Spanish artist Agustín de la Herrán Matorras was appointed to construct a 45-meter-tall stone monument of a madonna. Called “Virgin of El Panecillo”, it is composed of seven thousand pieces of aluminum.

Watching the Sunset over the Panicello in Quito, Ecuador

This is a picture worth site, but make sure you take a uber or taxi to the top. The word is that walking to the spot can be dangerous, especially if alone!

See all of Quito from the Teleferiqo

Take a ski lift for $8.50 ($6.50 children) that climbs towards the mountain of Ruca Pichincha. From here, take beautiful pictures on the swing overlooking the Quito skyline. Enjoy a hot chocolate and a snack at the restaurant. Bring a coat, as it gets cold!

Stroll the Malecón 2000 boardwalk

One of the most famous sites of Guayaquil. Scroll along the boardwalk overlooking the Guayas River. Along the pathway, enjoy the elaborate parks and plazas, lagoons, museums and malls.

If you need a break, catch a movie at the IMAX, and eat at an unlimited number of restaurants. Additionally, enjoy excellent seafood and a refreshing Ecuadorian beer available.

The highlight on the boardwalk is the Rotonda. this is found on the street 9 de Octubre Avenue. It holds a monument dedicated to the secret meeting encounter between José de San Martín and Simón Bolívar. These liberators discussed tactics to liberate the area of Spain’s rulership.

Climb the Steps of Cerro Santa Ana and Check Out the Colorful Houses

Speaking of Guayaquil, you will find the most colorful and vibrant neighborhood of Las Peñas. This historic neighborhood over 400 years old. The crayon-colored hillside of Cerro Santa Ana has still had the same allure as it was ages ago.

Lots of family-owned restaurants and bars line the 444 steps as it winds all the way up to a breathtaking viewpoint on top of Santa Ana Hill. Yeah, this place is awesome and your travel camera (and you) will be very happy with the climb. It’s well worth it!

Take a Dip in Frailes Beach

The beaches in this free park are a local favorite. It contains the most beautiful in Ecuador, Los Frailes. It is an easy day trip from Puerto Lopez. You can take a moto-taxi or hike to get to this location. To get to the beach, you will cross two other beautiful beaches.

The first is Playa Prieta, where you’ll see dozens of crabs creating sand balls. Keep walking the path taking you to the little turtle beach. Continue onwards onto Los Frailes.

From here, relax for the day, ready a book, and dive into the amazing waters. Don’t forget your sunscreen, the sun is powerful and unforgiving in Ecuador!

Soak in the Thermal Pools of Papallacta

The thermal springs of Papallacta are about an hour and a half Quito by car. Otherwise, go 2-3 hours by bus. This is a tranquil place to soak in hot springs of various temperatures.

These range from lukewarm to scalding hot. You can do this on your own by taking buses and taxis and pay less than 15.00 per person. For the deluxe Spa and extra privacy, pay 39.00. To avoid the hassle, book a day tour to Papallacta from Quito. This will cost a little more but arrive much quicker than a bus.

Adrenaline-Fueled Adventures in Baños

Donde es el Baños? No, it’s NOT that kind of Baño. It’s a place, specifically in Ecuador. Baños is famous for two things. Bountiful nature and adrenaline-fueled adventure. It is a small quaint town three hours from Quito. You can take a bus, or book a day tour from Quito.

Because Mindo seems to be a little richer, I prefer to do the action in Baños and nature in Mindo! You can go mountain biking, zip-lining, rafting, waterfall rafting, and repelling. There’s also a swing at the end of the world that’s worth checking out!

Explore Nature in Mindo

Mindo is about two hours from Quito and is brilliant for exploring nature. A tourist favorite is the butterfly sanctuaries. Are you interested in tropical birds?

Wake up early and take a tour, and walk through the cloud forest with binoculars. You’ll see hundreds of them. You can also do adrenaline activities in this town. This is often preferable if you don’t have the time to visit both!

Tour Deep into the Amazon Rainforest in a Lodge

By bus or plane, you will fly to Coca. From there, you will take a motorized canoe deep into the Ecuadorian rainforest. This will lead to an Amazon lodge, where you get a real taste of life in the jungle.

Experience the culture of the local tribes, and go on nocturnal tours to see various reptiles and bats. During the day, go on excursions to see pink river dolphins, otters, leaf cutter ants, monkeys. The brightly colored tropical birds and parakeets are incredible.

Surfing in Ayampe

If you want a relaxed environment to learn surfing, this is the place you need to be. The conditions for surfing are great all year round. With the warm weather in Ecuador, you can be in the water anytime. There are many other places for surfing listed here.

Eat Your Way Through a Foodie Paradise

Ecuador has any options for food. Because of its climate and location, it is a hotspot for trying new fruits and fruit juice. Likely, you won’t find back home.

The ones you need to try?

•  Maracuya
• Tomate de Arbol
• Guanabana
• Babaco
• Naranjilla
• Taxo

As for food, there are hundreds of restaurants and open markets to sample new fruits and foods. I found myself trying out the street food as much as I can! There are many famous dishes. Take a look at these to check off your foodie list!

Ecuadorian Ceviche – Like Peruvian ceviche, but Ecuadorian fish is cooked beforehand.

Maito de Tilapia – A filet of tilapia cooked in the Incan method of wrapping a fish in a Banana leaf.

Couy – Guinea pig cooked rotisserie style. The best are in Ambato and Cuenca

Patacones – Slices of plantain mashed and cooked in oil like French fries.

Encebollado –  Composed of tuna, red onion, yuca, cilantro. Then all topped with plantain chips and toasted corn

Hornado – Roasted pig, cooked whole. Don’t worry, you don’t have to order the whole thing.

Lastly, you have to try high-quality Ecuadorian coffee. Columbia is one of the kings in the coffee industry, overshadowing the lesser-known Ecuadorian coffee. There are many farms where coffee is grown in permaculture settings. They produce high-quality coffee strains. Try them at several places in Quito like Isveglio coffee.

Visit Cacao Plantations and Try a Chocolate workshop

Ecuador contains various regions with Cocoa trees of strains with the highest purity of cacao beans. These beans transform into delicious chocolate bars and candies. Visit these farms, watch how chocolate is made, and participate in creating it yourself!

Check out the Ingapirca

If you want to see Incan ruins, this is the place for you. Ingapirca is a town in Ecuador’s Cañar province. Here you will discover an archaeological complex north of town containing ancient ruins and Incan masonry.

The ruins include the Temple of the Sun. This is a large oval construction formerly used for ceremonial and astronomical purposes. Close to this area, explore the Museum site of Ingapirca, which contains an ancient skeleton, tools and other artifacts recovered from the area.

Follow in Darwin’s Footsteps to Galapagos National Park

The Galapagos national park is famous for the wide array of animals you will only find on these islands. The highlights are the snorkeling and trekking excursions, where you can get up close in personal with the animals for great pictures.

Some of the famous species include the goliath Galapagos Tortoise, blue-footed boobies, whales, hammerhead sharks, Galapagos penguins, fur seals, and magnificent frigates.

There are a lot of islands, with many itineraries that you will need to research. You can choose between land-based options if you don’t like boats, or spent some time on a liveaboard yacht or cruise ship of various classes. These trips can often be expensive but are well worth the money.

In Closing

Ecuador’s one of the best places to explore in South America! It’s home to the highest landmasses on Earth and a bunch of awesome volcanoes. The cities and the culture are equally stunning as well.

I’ve spent a couple of months exploring the country and I hope you get the opportunity to do so as well. If you don’t have the time, check out one or a couple of the tours mentioned in this article. You’ll certainly have a blast!

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Lake Como (also known as Lario) or Lago di Como in Italian, is one of Italy’s most renowned travel destinations. Its charming villas, luxurious resort towns, historic cobblestone alleyways, and quaint lakeside cafes attract many travelers.

A handful of tiny, beautiful villages speckle the lake’s unique upside-down “Y” shape that is surrounded by breathtaking naturescapes. As such, travelers, couples, and adventurers have been seeking out the lake for centuries!

Whether to indulge in the region’s finest wine and local delights or to explore northern Italy’s many breathtaking hikes and lakes, Lake Como is a bucket-list-worthy adventure. Here is a compilation for the best things to do in and around Lario.

How to Get to Lake Como

Lake Como is nestled at the foothills of the Alps in Italy’s northern Lombardy region. It also lies just south of the Swiss border. The easiest and most popular way to reach the lake is by air and train travel from Milan, Italy.

Getting to Lake Como by Plane:

The most convenient airports to get to the lake will be Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, or via Bergamo Orio al Serio Lugano airport in Switzerland. However, most travelers arrive and depart from Milan Malpensa airport. If you’re traveling on a budget, check out my best day to buy airfare tickets and how to catch mistake fares guides!

Reaching Lake Como by Train:

Traveling from Milan by train is the fastest way to get to the lake. You can take the Milan Cadorna train station which offers service to Como Nord Lago via the Trenord line or depart from the Milan Central Station and arrive at the lake’s main train station at Como San Giovanni. Both trips should only take roughly 1-1.5 hours.

Driving to Lake Como by Car:

First, rent a car via Auto Europe as it has the most convenient way to get a car in Milan. Milan is located about 85 km (50 miles) from Como Town. You can easily rent a car at the airports in Milan. However, note that road traffic is often congested on the Milan-Como route and isn’t the most convenient way to get to the lake.

Alternatively, you can start your trip by first traveling to one of the lake’s smaller towns such as Varenna, Lecco, or Bellagio and then taking a ferry or bus to Como Town.

Alternative ways to get to Lario or Europe in general? Read my guide – The Best Ways to Get Around in Europe.

When to Go to Lake Como

The best time to visit the lake is during the warmer months from March to November, with July and August being the peak summer months to visit (but also the most crowded with tourists).

You can expect lots of rain in the wet, spring months during April and May. The drier months of June and July are best for outdoor activities such as water sports and hiking the lake’s many trails.

Where to Stay in Lake Como

You will be spoiled for choice when it comes to where to stay in Lario! All the historic towns dotting the lakeside will be sure to please even the snobbiest.

There are locations where you can stay if you wish to be closer to cultural activities or the best hikes. For example, the north end of Lake Como will feature some of the best naturescapes with scenic hikes, while the southern and western shores will place you at the heart of the top attractions.

Nonetheless, here are the top three places to stay in Lario to indulge in a variety of activities:

Varenna

Varenna is one of the most beautiful towns to stay on Lake Como’s quaint eastern shore. It’s lined with romantic gardens, fairytale-like castles, and proximity to cultural highlights such as the Villa Monastero. Two noteworthy hotels based here are Villa Cipressi and Hotel Olivedo.

Bellagio

Bellagio is often dubbed the “Pearl” of Lake Como, and for good reason. Its convenient location, where the Y-shape lake divides, boasts some of the best Lake Como has to offer.

Imagine charming cobblestone streets, botanical gardens, and gorgeous villas peering out over the lake. The elegant Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni and the Hotel Belvedere Bellagio are two luxurious hotels not to miss out on when in town.

Tremezzo

Tremezzo is another must-see waterfront town with impressive gardens and luxurious villas, with the iconic Villa Carlotta at its helm. It is located on Lake Como’s western flank, but no need to worry – you can easily reach any one of these three popular towns with a short ferry ride. To get the full Tremezzo experience, consider a stay at the popular Grand Hotel Tremezzo or the more humble Casa del Portico B&B.

No matter where you stay in Lake Como, be sure to book in advance in order to secure the best deal as hotels tend to fill up fast, especially during peak season.

Where to Eat around Lake Como

It goes without saying that Lake Como features a delicious spread of the best food Italian cuisine has to offer; from air-dried meats to top-of-the-line wine and cheese, pasta, pastries, and not to mention the tourist’s favorite – gelato.

Wherever you choose to base yourself in Lake Como, you’ll have plenty of options for extremely satisfying Italian fare. Here’s just a teaser for some of the best restaurants to eat at around Lake Como:

• Ittiturismo Ristorante Mella – Elegant restaurant featuring fresh catch-of-the-day seafood in Bellagio.
• Gelato Lariana and Gelato del Borgo – Some of the best gelato and ice cream in Lake Como.
• Agriturismo La Selvaggia – A farm-to-table restaurant hidden in the forest near Lecco.
• Locanda La Tirlindana – Lakeside restaurant featuring fresh ravioli and tiramisu.
• La Fontana Bellagio dei F.lli Patroni – Central Bellagio pizzeria with both unique and classic pizza styles.

Whether you are craving melty Italian pizza or freshly-caught seafood, Lake Como has some of the best fine dining and local hotspots to suit every budget.

Things to Do in Lake Como

Lake Como has an endless list of things to do ranging from leisurely sightseeing to adventurous outdoor activities! Whether you wish to explore beyond the historic towns or stroll around a botanical garden, here’s our recommendation for the top five best things to do in Lake Como.

1. Hike one of Lake Como’s scenic trails

Italy has some of the best hiking trails in Europe, from the epic hikes in the Dolomites to the famous summits of Mont Blanc, all the way down to the scenic alpine trails surrounding Lake Como. Some of the best hikes around Lake Como are the Pilgrim/Wayfarer’s Path, The Resegone, hiking up to Brunate, Mount Legnone, and Monte Generoso, among others.

If you find yourself eager to explore more of the hikes Italy has to offer, consider hiking the wilderness trails throughout the Gran Paradiso National Park.

These stunning trails can be reached in less than 3 hours from Lario, should you have some spare time to put your hiking skills to the test!

However, as Italy’s oldest national park, Gran Paradiso’s hikes aren’t for the lighthearted; you can expect difficult switchback ridges as you navigate rough terrain through the Graian Alps. You’ll also end up crossing high alpine pastures, deep valleys lush with flora and fauna.

You can always save time and money and go on a hiking tour. The Trails of Italian Lakes, for example, will take you around Lake Como and Lugano with a very knowledgable guide.

2. Visit the Best Villas around Lake Como

By now, you should know Lario is a special place when it comes to elegant and stunning villas. Whether perched waterfront or surrounded by a highly-curated whimsical botanical garden, Lake Como has all types of must-see villas.

Some of the most visited villas around Lario are the iconic Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo, Villa del Balbianello in Lenno, Villa Olmo in Como Town, and Villa Monastero in Varenna. How many villas in the famous lake will you check off your bucket list?

You can, of course, take a Lake Como Walking tour and see lots of villas and even discover ones you otherwise wouldn’t from your guide.

3. Cycle up to the Iconic Madonna del Ghisallo Chapel

If you crave another outdoor adventure, consider doing a cycling day trip up to the chapel. Conversely, it’s dedicated to the patron saint of cycling itself – Madonna del Ghisallo.

The route features an intense 1640 ft (500 m) ascent up the chapel, a famed pilgrimage for many Italian cyclists. The climb is guaranteed to be difficult, but the rewarding vistas from atop the hill will make it all the more worthwhile. The Italian Lakes Cycle Tour covers this and much more!

4. Marvel at the Lake Views from the Castello di Vezio

The magnificent 13th-century Castello di Vezio sits high above the charming rooftops of Varenna overlooking the tranquil waters of Lake Como.

It’s the best place in Varenna for a picturesque panorama of the surrounding towns and mountains. The 30-minute hike, although steep, isn’t too rigorous. Simply take the cobblestone path up to Vezio from the north end of Varenna at Olivedo.

5. Tour all the Charming Towns around Lake Como

Your bucket list should have at least 2-3 historic towns other than Como Town or Bellagio on it! In fact, Lake Como is vast and far-reaching, so why not explore a little outside of the tourist zone to other quaint villages?

Navigating around Lake Como by ferry or train is fairly easy, so take the opportunity to discover new sights and smells. Better yet, immerse yourself into the towns to experience authentic working life in Lario like a local.

Cute towns to visit on Lake Como other than the tourist triangle towns of Bellagio-Tremezzo-Varenna are:

• Argegno – A small village of under 700 people just 50 kilometers north of Como.
• Bellano – The main attraction is the Orrido – formed through erosion by the Pioverna river.
• Cadenabbia – You can reach this town by steamer, 15 miles from the town of Como.
• Cernobbio – This town sits on the border with Switzerland and has a peak worth looking at, Monte Bisbino.
• Domaso – A small town with under 1,500 people northeast of Como.
• Gravedona – Has a small harbor that overlooks the lake and its eastern shoreline.
• Lenno – The town sits on a coastal stretch known as Tremezzina which surrounded by lush vegetation.
• Lecco – The town sits on the foothills of the Bergamo Alps and offers amazing alpine backdrops.
• Menaggio – A popular town that has a pretty promenade and offers hiking and cycling around the surrounding hills.
• Nesso – Not as touristy as the other towns and offers a more authentic experience.

If you’re strapped for time or have trouble making a choice with so many options, consider visiting these five towns around Lake Como first! You can always go on a Lake Como Getaway Tour. This will get you most of the highlights in three nights.

Five Alternative Towns to Visit Around Lake Como

Below are the lesser-known towns around Lario. If you’re more into the less trodden places, these towns are definitely worth a look as they offer different views of the lake!

Menaggio

Menaggio has one of the prettiest lake-side promenades of all Lake Como, especially in spring and summer when the flowers are in full bloom. Beyond the boardwalk lies a lively historic center with the Piazza Garibaldi square abuzz with cafes, and baroque-style neighborhoods painted in shades of pink. Because Menaggio is easily reached from both Bellagio and Varenna, it’s one of the more touristy “alternate” towns to visit around Lario.

Lecco

Lecco is the town to visit if you wish to experience Lake Como like a local. Hiking enthusiasts will especially appreciate Lecco for its many trails winding through the foothills of the Monte Resegone overshadowing the town. And because of its southeastern location on the lake, Lecco makes for a great last-stop on your train ride back to Milan.

Argegno

Argegno is perhaps one of the smallest towns around Lake Como with roughly 1,000 residents. As such, Argegno is very much one of Lake Como’s hidden gems. Despite its small size, the town is brimming with lovely hotels like the Hotel Villa Belvedere. Like most Lake Como towns, tourism plays a large role in the local economy. Argegno is an especially hilly, mountainous town that just might surprise you with its historic churches and restaurants.

Gravedona

Gravedona sits on the northern end of Lake Como and is the town to visit if you love medieval history and atmosphere with its 6th-century crypt at the Church of San Vincenzo and the Church of Santa Maria del Tiglio which features a 5th-century mosaic tile floor. History buffs will adore the medieval mystery shrouding Gravedona.

Domaso

Domaso is your low-key, budget-friendly Lario town popular among young travelers. It’s also the unofficial capital of windsurfing of all the towns around Lake Como and is also a great location if you wish to go sailing, swimming, or fishing. In exchange for the luxurious hotels, Domaso has some of the best camping facilities you can find around Lario. Because of this, Domaso has an extremely down-to-earth and open atmosphere.

If you have plans to spend a few days around Lake Como, definitely make the effort to visit these off-the-beaten-track towns around the lake. As you’ll see, each is special in their own way. You won’t be disappointed!

Wrapping Up: What to Do Around Lake Como, Italy

For many people, a trip to Italy’s iconic Lake Como is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. With all there is to do and see, try to plan a minimum of 2-3 nights, if not more!

Should you ever exhaust your Lario bucket list or crave a getaway to the mountains, don’t forget there are breathtaking hikes and epic trips just a few hours away in the Gran Paradiso, Mont Blanc or La Meiji. Ultimately, wherever you choose to base yourself in Lake Como, you will find a diverse array of indoor and outdoor activities to satisfy your curiosity and quench your wanderlust.

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The a6000 series (a6500, a6400, a6300) is an awesome mid-range camera in the Sony Mirrorless lineup. These APS-C size sensor cameras are very compact but powerful and good enough for photographers who want to capture fantastic images but don’t want to travel with bulky DSLRs or full-frame mirrorless cameras. In this article, we compile the best lenses for Sony a6000 and it’s derivatives.

Quick Primer on the Sony a6000

Announced back in February 2014, the Sony A6000 became one of the best-selling mirrorless cameras of all time. Even today, thanks to its low price, it remains one of the best entry into the mirrorless camera world.

The Sony Alpha A6000 was based on Sony’s NEX 6 mirrorless compact system camera and has taken the baton over.

The a6000 is no slouch either; it boasts a super-fast hybrid phase/contrast-detection autofocus system along with a blistering 11 fps burst rate.

With the fast capture, you would think the image quality suffers. That’s not the case; the image quality is excellent and smaller than full-frame offerings.

Ergonomics is also refined, with an OLED viewfinder and hinged rear display, which is all packaged into a solid body that is small and lightweight enough to shoot anywhere and carry anywhere.

Despite subsequent iterations of a6xxx cameras that incorporate numerous enhancements, like in-body picture stabilization, the A6000 has stood the test of time.

You can still buy it today at an exceptional value for the price. It is most often offered with a lens kit, together with Sony’s E PZ 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS. It’s a reasonable starting lens that is particularly small and great to travel with, however, no match for the offerings mentioned in this article.
Sony a6000 w/ Kit Lens at Amazon for $648

Why Choose a6000 Series?

Though this series came out before the equally excellent A7 series did, the a6000 series is more of a younger brother to Sony’s flagship full-frame mirrorless cameras.

It matches the APS-C 23.5 × 15.6 millimeter sensor dimensions and consequently able to stay housed in a smaller body. They pack most, if not all, useful features of the A7, including ultra-fast autofocus minus the full-frame sensor.

Sony a6000

• Released in 2014
• Maxes out at Full HD for video
• No interfaces for external mics or cans
• No-touch features on LCD
• 360-shot battery life

See the Sony a6000 on Amazon

Sony a6300

• Issued in 2016
• Shoots UHD 4K video and 120 FPS slow motion
• 1/8″ Microphone port
• No-touch features on LCD
• 400-shot battery life

See the Sony a6300 on Amazon

Sony a6500

• Issued in 2016
• Shoots UHD 4K movie and 120 FPS slow movement
• 1/8″ Microphone port
• Touchscreen LCD
• Built-in stabilization
• 350-shot battery lifetime

See the Sony a6500 on Amazon

Sony a6400

• Released in 2019
• Shoots great UHD 4K movie and 120 FPS slow motion
• 1/8″ Microphone port
• Touchscreen LCD with more extensive tilting selection
• 410-shot battery life

See the Sony a6400 on Amazon

Which a6000 Series Camera to Choose?

Choosing between the a6400 and a6500 can be tricky. Their title order is out of step with their actual release dates. The a6500 is older than the a6400!

The a6400 is equipped with newer technology like having a 180° flipping screen, quick AF, and superior tracking and unlimited video recording capacities.

However, the a6500 still boasts a broader ISO range, larger buffer for continuous shooting with RAW, and with a 5-axis in-body stabilization. Both have 4K shooting, 3.5mm microphone ports, and slow-motion shooting capabilities.

If you happen to own one (no matter which iteration), you know how lucky you are. If you don’t and are considering a travel camera, you should definitely give the A6000 series a hard look. In addition, you will need the best lenses to get the most out of your A6000 series camera.

We’re going to take a look at the best lenses for your A6000 series. We split this line up into two main sections: zoom and prime lenses, with each one having a set of benefits.

Modern zoom lenses provide you with the flexibility of multi-focal lengths in one easy to carry package. Prime lenses, on the other hand, have a fixed focal length but are exceptionally sharp and fast.

No matter what your style and preference, you will find the best lenses for the A6000 series camera below.

The Best Lenses for Sony a6000 Series

No matter which A6000 series camera you have, you will no doubt benefit from having the best lenses alongside it. Below are our picks for the best lenses:

1 – Sony Vario-Tessar 16-70mm TE f/4 ZA OSS

Best standard walk-around zoom for Sony a6000

MSRP: $598
Weight: 0.94 lb
Minimum Focus Distance: 1.48 (Wide) 3.12 ft (Tele)
Maximum Magnification Ratio: 0.11x
Focal Length: 18-105mm, 27-158mm (35mm equiv.) zoom range
Angle Of View (APS-C): 76° 15°
Filter diameter (mm): 72 mm

Lens Overview

The ideal step up from the Sony E PZ 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS kit lens sold with the A6000 is a considerably higher-quality optic. It is predicated on a Zeiss design that contains four aspherical elements and one ED (Extra-low Dispersion) element, as well as Zeiss’s high-performance T* coatings.

The Vario-Tessar TE 16-70mm lacks both the space-saving, retractable mechanism of this 16-50mm lens but provides a higher overall zoom range, along with a constant-aperture layout, which makes f/4 accessible at any given focal length.

It is not as ‘fast’ as the more pro-grade Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master but is much more compact and affordable. Weighing in at 308g, it seems balanced in an A6000 body and is absolutely excellent for everyday shooting.

The Sony 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS is one of the best E mount zoom lenses to the Sony a6000, a6300, a6400, and a6500. This lens has a broad focal range, allowing it to capture all types of subjects.

The 16-70mm f/4 lens includes Carl Zeiss anti-reflective coatings to lower glare and ghosting. The Optical SteadyShot picture stabilization minimizes the camera shake on the long end of the focal range or when in low light situations.

This lens does have a small amount of chromatic aberration in the kind of purple fringing near the borders of the framework, but it’s relatively minor and can be managed by stopping down your aperture.

The 16-70mm f/4 has some barrel distortion standard of wide-angle lenses, but it is not severe. In case you need one super flexible lens to have your travels or use while walking around in the city, this is a superb option.

2 – Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS

Best wide-angle and landscape zoom for Sony a6000

MSRP: $798
Weight: 7.94 ounces
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.82 ft (0.25 m)
Maximum Magnification Ratio: 0.1x
Focal Length: 10-18 mm, 15-35mm (35mm equiv.) zoom range
Angle Of View (APS-C): 109 ° – 76 °
Filter diameter (mm): 62 mm

Lens Overview

Fit this lens for your A6000, and it might feel like taking the blinkers off your camera. The shortest focal length of 10mm is equivalent to having a 15mm lens onto a full-frame camera, providing a large viewing angle of 109 degrees.

The lens is very much like the Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS in terms of layout and handling, with a constant-aperture f/4 score and Optical SteadyShot built-in.

Perfect for dark cramped interiors, sweeping landscapes, and any time you would like to exaggerate the effect of a perspective, this lens takes over where the 16-70mm leaves off, and with a bit of overlap to play.

Picture quality is quite good besides slightly mediocre sharpness when shooting wide-open at f/4, largely in more half of the zoom range.

The built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilization system of the A6000 gives a 4-stop shutter speed benefit, making it much easier to attain crisp, blur-free video and images.

The inner focusing system allows for a quick AF reaction time, and extra-low dispersion glass prevents chromatic aberration and increases contrast.

The Sony 10-18mm f/4 is super sharp and well built, which is reasonable considering it is likely to be used by landscape photographers. With a minimum focusing distance of under .82 feet, you might even get dramatic perspectives when shooting up close.

3 – Sony E 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS

Best mid to telephoto zoom for Sony a6000

MSRP: $348
Weight: 0.94 lb
Minimum Focus Distance: 3.28 ft
Maximum Magnification Ratio: 0.23x
Focal Length: 55-210mm 82-315mm (35mm equiv.) zoom range
Angle Of View (APS-C): -29 °–7 ° 40′
Filter diameter (mm): 49 mm

Lens Overview

Costing only about a third of the price of this Sony 16-70mm and 10-18mm lenses above, this lens maintains a relatively compact and lightweight build, mainly since it’s a telephoto lens.

As a result of the 1.5x crop factor of this A6000 and other Sony APS-C format E-mount camera bodies, the lens provides an ‘effective’ zoom assortment of 82.5-315mm in full-frame terms, with powerful telephoto reach in the long run.

Downsizing is mostly as a result of this reasonably narrow aperture score, which shrinks from f/4.5 into f/6.3 as you stretch throughout the zoom range.

It also enables a much greater balance on an A6000 camera compared to lenses like the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 along with f/4 constant-aperture lenses, which can also be a lot more expensive to purchase. However, sharpness in the lightweight 55-210mm drops off somewhat in longer zoom settings and maybe better at the widest available apertures.

The Sony 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 lens is a fantastic sports lens for the Sony a6000, a6300, a6400, and a6500. It’s also a superb alternative for safari because you get all this range to get under 1 pound. This lens will zoom in on your subjects from far enough away that you’d never miss the action while also being just broad enough to catch wildlife shots.

This lens doesn’t have significant distortion, but it will exhibit a fairly large quantity of sun flare once the sun is near the frame – a bonus to a, depending on your style.

The Optical SteadyShot image stabilization minimizes the look of camera shake by around four stops and does an excellent job of preventing image blur. While this lens may not be able to handle low light in addition to others, when it comes to well-lit sports and wildlife shooting, it does a good job, especially for the price.

4 – Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master OSS

Best Extreme telephoto zoom for Sony a6000

MSRP: $2498
Weight: 3.08 lbs
Minimum Focus Distance: 3.22′ / 0.98 m
Maximum Magnification Ratio: 0.35
Focal Length: 100-400 mm zoom range
Angle Of View (APS-C): 16 °-4 °10’2
Filter diameter (mm): 77 mm

Lens Overview

This is the heaviest lens we’ve picked for the a6000 series. It’s also one of the most expensive. It’s large, chunky, and weighs in at almost 1.5kg, which makes it feel a mismatch rather than get an A6000 body.

So why is this lens even in the line-up? Well, if you would like monster telephoto zoom reach, there’s no true alternative to this lens other than equally massive telephoto primes.

You’re presumably not going to be walking around with this lens in the streets of Copenhagen or Oslo, but you’re going to be capturing some serious close-ups from a relative distance if that’s one of your requirements. Add a Sony FE 1.4X Teleconverter and you’ve really got some serious reach.

Being from Sony’s G-Master line, this one has fully pro-grade build quality and superior performance. The autofocus system is super-fast, perfect for tracking fast-moving wildlife and sporting action, Optical SteadyShot is exceptionally powerful, and image quality is outstanding.

It is pricey to purchase, but you get what you pay for, and also an excellent choice for bird photography, safaris, or faraway portraits.

5 – Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

Best Beginner all-in-one traveling zoom for Sony a6000

MSRP: $548
Weight: 11.5 oz
Minimum Focus Distance: 1.48′ / 45 cm
Maximum Magnification Ratio: 0.29x
Focal Length: 18-135 mm 27-202mm (35mm equiv.) zoom range
Angle Of View (APS-C): 76° to 12°
Filter diameter (mm): 55 mm

Lens Overview

If you’re looking for a superzoom lens that provides everything from wide-angle coverage to telephoto reach, in a single bundle, it’s easy to get removed.

We can frequently feel more is merrier, especially at the telephoto end. Sony and Tamron both make 18-200mm superzooms for E-mount cameras like the A6000; however, there are downsides.

The widest available aperture at the long end of the zoom range shrinks to f/6.3, straying a little to the dark side.

A larger zoom range also usually will come with a greater compromise in picture quality. This 18-135mm is our preferred alternative. It is more lightweight and easy to manage, pairing better using an A6000 body and gives very good image quality. Additionally, it has a quicker f/3.5-5.6 aperture score.

The Sony 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS lens is an incredibly versatile lens to the novice photographer. With the crop sensor, the 18mm wide end is solidly wide without entering ultra-wide land. The 135mm telephoto end will also provide a reasonable sum of reach for if you want to zoom in.

The variable maximum aperture is most likely not fast enough for aspiring photographers; however, the image stabilization can keep your photos sharp even when you need to slow your shutter speed a little bit to compensate for low light.

Variable maximum apertures mean that on the 18mm end of this range, you are able to open your aperture as broad as f/3.5.

However, on the telephoto end, your maximum is limited to only as wide as f/5.6. But for a lens of this range, it does have a comparatively close 1.5′ minimum focusing distance, which is nice in smaller spaces. This is a great and affordable travel lens.

6 – Sony 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS LE

Best all-around travel zoom for Sony a6000

MSRP: $848
Weight: 1.01 lbs
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.3 (Wide)–0.5 m (Tele) (0.99 [Wide])–1.64 ft.
Maximum Magnification Ratio: 0.11x
Focal Length: 18-200 mm 28-320mm (35mm equiv.) zoom range
Angle Of View (APS-C): 76° 8°
Filter diameter (mm): 62 mm

Lens Overview

This lens is much like the lens above but with just a tiny bit more reach on the telephoto end (but that includes a forfeit in a maximum aperture in the range).

The 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS LE is a good alternative for photographers looking for a high-quality wide-to-long-range zoom.

Although this lens is notorious for taking quite sharp pictures, especially in the long run, its biggest asset is most likely its wide focal selection, which allows for one lens to be used in a variety of configurations and even for the video! It’s also quiet; a linear motor is inherited from higher-end Sony camcorders.

Because of its variable aperture range of f/3.5-6.3, it’s not quite as capable as some of the others in low light conditions. But if you’re shooting in well-lit areas, it is more than competent. This lens produces no apparent fringing throughout most of its focal length and only a tiny amount in both 18mm and 200mm.

As expected with a lens using this wide of a focal range, some barrel distortion will occur, particularly near 18mm. Post-processing in Lightroom or even Photoshop may fix these problems. The huge focal range makes this among the very best travel lenses for Sony E mount cameras.

7 – Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS

Best carry around long zoom lens for Sony a6000

MSRP: $1,173.00
Weight: 1.88 lbs
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.3 (Wide)–0.5 m (Tele) (0.99 [Wide])–1.64 ft.
Maximum Magnification Ratio: 0.31x
Focal Length: 70-300mm 105-450mm (35mm equiv.) zoom range
Angle Of View (APS-C): 34° to 8° 10′
Filter diameter (mm): 72 mm

Lens Overview

Making a super-telephoto range at a portable form factor is uncommon. The Sony FE 70-300mm is a sports-and-wildlife-dedicated lens that is also under 2 lbs. It features dust and moisture resistance for use outdoors and has a convenient Focus Zoom button for crucial shots.

Its focal range equal to a crop sensor is 105-450mm, which is phenomenal reach. A unique Focus Range Limiter allows you to constrain the usable focusing array to either 9.8′ to infinity or the full range of 3′ to infinity for rapid focusing during sports and wildlife shooting.

Equipped with Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, this lens can perform admirably when shooting with slower shutter speeds but do notice that it’s a variable maximum aperture that will sacrifice your wide aperture options in the long end of the range. It’s sharp throughout although it is a hair thinner in the wide end of the range.

Slimming down your gear will enhance your results, which is typical of several zooms in this range. Do note that this lens doesn’t have any panning or tripod-sensing collars, which could be sorely missed in a lens of this type intended for wildlife and sports. The variable aperture means you’re losing some light and the focusing does tend to slow down in lower lighting conditions.

8 – Zeiss Touit 12mm f/2.8

Best super-wide-angle prime for Sony a6000

MSRP: $849
Weight: 9.2 oz
Minimum Focus Distance: 7.09 inches
Maximum Magnification Ratio: 0.11x
Focal Length: 12mm
Angle Of View (APS-C): 99°
Filter diameter (mm): 67 mm

Lens Overview

Zeiss is known for making high-quality lenses that take crystal-clear photos, and also the Touit 12mm f/2.8 is no exception.

This E mount lens is designed for landscape photographers who love shooting ultra-wide prime lenses, and it excels in its job.

While this lens does produce some mild barrel distortion, this is sometimes almost entirely corrected in post-processing.

Ghosting and sunlight sampling are very minimal with this lens, although its bokeh leaves something to be wanted.

If you’re looking for a wide-angle lens with sharp optics and high build quality, the Zeiss Touit 12mm f/2.8 is an excellent alternative.

The touit is uttered like”do it” and it means quick little parrot. This lens embodies quickness and mobility. It is designed to have a long working life with its rigid metal bayonet mount and rubberized control ring. It’s designed particularly for crop sensor cameras like the a6000/a6300/a6400/a6500.

9 – Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary

Best wide-angle fast prime for Sony a6000

MSRP: $399
Weight: 14.29 oz
Minimum Focus Distance: 9.84 inches
Maximum Magnification Ratio: 0.1x
Focal Length: 16mm
Angle Of View (APS-C): 83.2°
Filter diameter (mm): 72 mm

Lens Overview

By Sigma’s Contemporary line of high-performance lenses, this 16mm lens offers ultra-fast, wide-angle capacities to E mount shooters. With the very broad f/1.4 aperture, photographers can get sleek, beautiful out of focus backgrounds.

Sigma’s Contemporary line is well known for getting high-quality optics in lightweight and affordable bundles. It’s equipped with a stepping motor which delivers, fast, smooth and silent autofocus for shooting movie.

This lens is ideal for landscapes, cityscapes, and interiors. Additionally, it is optically designed to minimize sagittal coma flare, so this lens a very good selection for night skies shooting.

It’s built with a special emphasis on silent performance and adjusted optical stimulation. The lens is sharp and reasonably priced and the only downside we can see is when shooting with the Sun in the frame – specifically flares and aberrations.

10 – Sony E 20mm f/2.8 Pancake

Best street photography lens for Sony a6000

MSRP: $325.23
Weight: 2.4 oz
Minimum Focus Distance: 7.87 inches
Maximum Magnification Ratio: 0.12x
Focal Length: 20mm
Angle Of View (APS-C): 70°
Filter diameter (mm): 49 mm

Lens Overview

This is one weird lens, a mere slip of a thing, this pancake lens is just 63x20mm small and weighs 69g. It’s meant to be small and light. Couple it with an A6000, and you have a perfect package for travel photography.

The sufficient focal length of 35mm is ideal, and the ensemble is little enough for you to shoot candidly without drawing attention to your self so it’s perfect for street photography in crowded streets of Paris or London.

It’s one of those few lenses in this roundup that lacks Optical SteadyShot, but the f/2.8 aperture makes up for it and is faster than that of zoom lenses.

The only catch is that, when shooting wide-open, sharpness is only so-so instead of good, and vignetting (darkened picture corners) is quite noticeable. At apertures of between f/4 and f/8, image quality really goes tack sharp.

11 – Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS

Best benchmark prime for Sony a6000

MSRP: $423
Weight: 5.4 oz
Minimum Focus Distance: 11.81 inches
Maximum Magnification Ratio: 0.149x
Focal Length: 35mm 52.5 (35mm equiv.)
Angle Of View (APS-C): 44°
Filter diameter (mm): 49 mm

Lens Overview

The so-called ‘nifty fifty’ is a higher standard lens class on full-frame cameras, in which it gives a standard viewing angle. Nearly every photographer will have had the pleasure to use the ’50 mm’ lens on every camera system.

Why? Because it’s sharp, little to no distortion, fast, and usually very cheap on full-frame cameras.

Take the 1.5x crop factor of the Sony A6000’s sensor into account, and this lens includes an almost identical 52.5mm focal length and a generally fast aperture of f/1.8.

The design makes perfect sense, as the lens would have to be considerably more substantial and bigger if it had an f/1.4 aperture rating, and less well balanced on cameras like the A6000.

Sharpness and contrast are excellent, thanks in no small part to quality glass that includes two aspherical elements and an ED (Extra-low Dispersion) element. For handheld shooting beneath dull lighting, Optical SteadyShot is another bonus. We’d expect this lens to be the sharpest at this range and we’re not complaining but it could stand to be sharper than it is.

12 – Sony E 50mm f/1.8 OSS

Perfect portrait lens for Sony a6000

MSRP: $598
Weight: 0.94 lb
Minimum Focus Distance: 1.28 ft (0.39 m)
Maximum Magnification Ratio: 0.16x
Focal Length: 50mm (35mm Equivalent Focal Length: 75mm)
Angle Of View (APS-C): 32°
Filter diameter (mm): 50 mm

Lens Overview

Ideal powerful focal length for portraiture fast aperture and Optical SteadyShot. Relatively lackluster corner-sharpness Aperture may be well-rounded.

Having a sufficient focal length of 75mm on an APS-C format Sony body like the A6000, and also a fast f/1.8 aperture, this is a fantastic lens for portraiture. You’ll be able to take shoulders and head along with half-length portraits from an ideal space, not crowding your sitter while being close enough to engage together.

The f/1.8 aperture allows a tight depth of field, which means you can throw the background out of focus and produce the person you’re photographing really stand out from the image.

Corner-sharpness is a small poor at apertures wider than f/5.6, but that shouldn’t be an issue in portraiture. The aperture remains fairly well-rounded when stopping down somewhat from f/1.8; however, based on seven rather than nine diaphragm blades, it could be better.

13 – Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 G OSS Macro

Best macro lens for Sony a6000

MSRP: $598
Weight: 0.94 lb
Minimum Focus Distance: 1.48 (Wide) 3.12 ft (Tele)
Maximum Magnification Ratio: 0.11x
Focal Length: 18-105 mm 27-158mm (35mm equiv.) zoom range
Angle Of View (APS-C): 76° 15°
Filter diameter (mm): 72 mm

Lens Overview

As a little big for the a6000 show camera, the Sony FE 90mm is worthy of almost any E mount list. It is very popular and scores excellently on DXOMARK.

Offering a 1:1 magnification ratio and a quick f/2.8 maximum aperture, this lens works as well for portraits as it does for work. It features a focus hold button, which, when pressed, keeps the lens secured to that focusing distance. This makes fragile macro shooting and wildlife tracking simpler.

This lens is equipped with a linear motor which delivers, fast, smooth and silent autofocus for shooting movie. Additionally, it offers Optical Image Stabilization to minimizes the appearance of camera shake when shooting at slower shutter speeds.

The 90mm focal length is long enough to give you the distance between you and your macro subject (you frequently don’t want to be too near insects and other small living animals ) while also being extended enough for a few wildlife issues.

The bokeh possible is strong with this particular lens, an excellent attribute for portraits.

Tips for Taking Awesome Photos with your A6000 Camera and Lenses

Here are some photography tips to improve your A6000 photos.

Use a Tripod Whenever Possible

The A6000 has 3-axis in-body stabilization and some lenses on this list add optical stabilization (the other 2 for a total of 5 axes). In layman’s terms, it just allows it so you can shoot handholding the camera and lens without getting blurred images. Some people report going 2 – 4 stops (some even longer with steady hands!) before the images start getting blurred.

You’ll need a tripod to get a shot like this.

So normally on a bright day, you can shoot 1/120 second shutter speed and when it gets darker, you might need to shoot 1/30 second shutter speed – without the stabilization, these images will already be blurred because of the handshake (every human’s hand will have movement).

Using a tripod, even a small cheap one, can make the difference between an OK photo vs. a remarkable photo. Sure, there’s an in-body image stabilization built inside the body of the A6000 series camera, but you’re not going to be able to capture images that require long f-stops (think motions). A tripod, along with the right lens, is one of the best investments you will make as a photographer. Check out our recommendations for the Best Travel Tripods for Under $100.

Shoot Using Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) Mode

Find the AEB function on your camera (read the manual) – that stands for Auto Exposure Bracketing.

Use it whenever you can. It takes three or more photos in succession with an over and underexposed version of the image.

This will give you a little bit of leeway in exposure mistakes and extra capabilities to process the image in HDR or something similar later.

AEB allows you to capture subsequent shots in different exposures in increments you choose. You can have the camera capture 3, 5, and sometimes nine shots in succession, with each one a different exposure than the other.

Memory is pretty much cheap nowadays, so it’s best just to capture different exposure for each shot. It’s also great as insurance for over and underexposure.

Shoot During the Golden Hour

Turn on the Rule of Thirds Grid on the Viewfinder

Use Some Filters

Filters are fun and great for creativity. Mount one on your lens and have a go. A polarizer should be the first filter you buy. Read why you should get a polarizer.

Shoot in RAW mode

Shoot in RAW (instead of JPEG) or a combination of both whenever you can. The RAW mode will capture all the information that your camera’s sensor is capable of while JPEG will compress the information in an algorithm – which is lossless (you will lose some information). RAW is great for archival and post-processing later if you want.

The Best Lenses For Sony a6000 Are Found

Thanks for reading. The list here can be more exhaustive but we’ve narrowed the lenses that pair well with the a6000 series. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions in the comment box below!

The post The Best Lenses for Sony a6000 Series (a6300, a6500, and a6400) appeared first on Always Wanderlust.

Paris is one of the most romantic cities and is on most travelers’ bucket lists. Visiting Paris is a must for all of you who love the spirit of Europe, and wish to explore the art, fashion, culture, and gastronomical side of this fascinating city.

Every year, tens of millions of tourists visit the city, hoping to get their piece of the romantic cake everyone who’s visited Paris is talking about. Once you get a chance to explore this magnificent city you’ll understand why it is the most popular tourist destination in the world.

Ah, Paris!

The City of Lights and Capital of Fashion are nicknames that this city is described with. They tell you enough about how glorious this city is. The monumental value is proven by the fact that a large part of Paris is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Paris holds second place when it comes to the highest number of Michelin restaurants in the world (after Tokyo) which shows how seriously they take gastronomy.

But, when it comes to finding accommodation in Paris and deciding where to stay there’s a lot of choices. Officially, the city has 20 districts that are called arrondissements.

Image source: https://wikitravel.org/en/File:Paris_overview_map_with_listings.png

The districts are numbered from 1 to 20 and they are ordered in a clockwise spiral from the city center. The center of the city is called Kilometre Zero (it is where it all starts) and the mark of this location is in front of Notre Dame.

Knowing about the order of the districts will help you get around the city, however, considering that there are 20 districts or arrondissements to choose from, getting information about some of the best ones can help you find the one that fits you.

Let’s take a look at the best neighborhoods for tourists in Paris to stay in.

Please refer to the Wikitravel map for the numbered districts for reference.

7 – Saint Germain

This district is great for families and those who want to visit as many art galleries and explore the fascinating architecture of the city. Medieval churches, sidewalk booksellers, galleries, and numerous cafés such as the famous Flore (favored by Hemingway) will easily steal your attention.

You can have an amazing time just walking around this district and absorbing this distinctive architectural style or you can spend days visiting art galleries and appreciating all the impeccable pieces. Saint Germain is in the 6th arrondissement of Paris so the youthful atmosphere from the Latin Quarter is somewhat transferred to this district as well.

For a more touristy place to stay in this district focus on rue Buci. You’ll have lots of things to see there as soon as you walk out. Enjoy the good restaurant with your family and spend time strolling around and just breathing in the Parisian lifestyle. Make sure that you visit Luxembourg Palace and Gardens since every one of you will be amazed by its beauty. This is a great place to spend your afternoons when you want to chill after a tiring day.

Saint Germain, Paris, France

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2 – Marais

Located in the 4th arrondissement, Marais is the best place for shopping-lovers and those who are looking for rich nightlife. It is safe to say that this is the hippest and trendiest part of the town. Moreover, the area is filled with chic boutiques, interesting galleries, concept stores, cafés, and gay bars.

Since this was once a Jewish quarter you can find lots of great kosher restaurants. Young travelers can have the time of their life in this area, shopping in the daytime and partying in the nighttime. This is why most Millennials who are looking for a carefree time in Paris head to this place.

Besides shopping, during the day you can spend walking around and chilling in the Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in Paris. If you feel like getting some historical information, head to Mémorial de la Shoah. This is Paris’s Holocaust Memorial Museum.

It is located in the heart of the Marais on rue Geoffroy l’Asnier. The best part is that the entry is free and they offer guided tours weekly. Any of you who love the work of French poet, novelist, and dramatist of the Romantic Movement Victor Marie Hugo, should check out the Musée Victor Hugo, where the writer lived.

Marais, Paris, France

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4 – 1st Arrondissement

This is a luxurious neighborhood that offers great sight-seeing and is well-connected to the rest of the city. The 1st arrondissement has lots of landmarks so staying here will help you to get around and see it all. Since there are many things to see here, it will be easier for you to pick your place of stay if you know its four quartiers and what they have to offer:

Quartier Saint-Germain l’Auxerrois

This quartier runs along the bank of the Seine and what you can find here are the Louvre (the “home” of famous Mona Lisa), the Tuileries Gardens, and the west part of one of two remaining islands in the Seine – Ile de la cité.

Quartier Les Halles

This is a place with a more relaxed character where you can enjoy luxurious shopping sprees. What is significant here for all the shoppers is the massive Les Halles shopping center. Besides the numerous stores, you’ll be surprised by the beautifully abstract architecture of this building.

Quartier Palais-Royal

The most prominent monumental site in this area is the Palais Royal. The Quartier Palais-Royal also includes the bigger part of the busy and cosmopolitan Avenue de l’Opera.

Quartier Place Vendôme

Place Vendôme serves as a center for this quarter. It is signified by its 18th-century street grid. The beautiful historic buildings make this area even more impressive and in them, you’ll find the most luxurious boutiques, jewelry brands, and hotels.

Based on the quartier’s locations and their most popular landmarks you can search for the accommodation in the one that you find most suitable for you. However, no matter which quartier you stay in, you can use the metro to quickly reach the other quartiers and see all the landmarks in the 1st arrondissement. What is certain is that none of these quartiers lack luxury and sight-seeing opportunities.

1st Arrondissement, Paris, France

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5 – 11th Arrondissement

We’ve finally got to the place for all of the hedonists whose guilty pleasure is the tasty food. Food-lovers will enjoy this area since it offers a wide variety of restaurants, bars, and places to enjoy the local cuisine. You can check out the Rue de Charonne part, located between the République and Nation squares, which currently presents the evolving dining scene in this hip area.

There is something for everyone so you can find cheaper restaurants, cafés, and bars as well as more expensive ones. Feel free to browse around and try out different places until you find your favorite ones. The cuisine varies from typical French to Mexican, meaning that you can literary try it all out.

Besides enjoying all the tasty food and savory drinks, if you stay in the 11th Arrondissement head to the Opéra Bastille, watch the entertainers at Place de la République, or mingle with the bohemians and bourgeois in the hipster neighborhood of “BoBo” quartier (Quartier de la Folie-Méricourt). Anyone who is looking to relax with their friends or a loved one while indulging in great food, head straight to this district. You won’t be disappointed.

11th Arrondissement, Paris, France

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1 – 7th Arrondissement

If you are a first-time visitor, this district can be the best choice for your stay. It is close to all the major attractions which will make it easier for you to get around. What you can find in the 7th arrondissements are the Eiffel Tower and its Champs de Mars park. This district is a great place for sightseeing.

History lovers will especially be satisfied with this area. Here are some historic places that you can check out there:

• The Musée d’Orsay (with French art dating from 1848 to 1914)
• The Musée Rodin with its sculpture garden
• Les Invalides (a complex of buildings containing museums and monuments related to the military history of France, as well as the Napoleon’s Tomb)
• The building of National Assembly

There are also express bus and tour operators the can take you to the famed Versailles Palace. The 7th Arrondissement really has all the marque landmarks that anyone who’s dreamed of going to Paris can check off their list.

The combination of history and fashion can be found at the Parisian mega-store Le Bon Marché which is one of the first modern department stores founded in 1838. The 7th arrondissement is recommended for all of you who don’t have lots of time to spend in Paris and want to see as much as they can for a short period.

7th Arrondissement, Paris, France

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6 – Latin Quarter

The Latin Quarter is the oldest district in Paris and it is known as the district of students. Therefore, if you are looking for an affordable and vivid location that offers fantastic nightlife Latin Quarter should be your pick. Lots of students from Academploy, an educational blog name this quarter as their favorite place to stay in Paris which shows that this is the best pick for the younger crowd. Latin Quarter is in the 5th arrondissement and it is the home of the Sorbonne University. This explains all the student-filled cafés.

This is a historic center of educational and artistic achievements. If you decide to stay in this area, you can spend your days visiting attractions such as the National Museum of Natural History and the Jardin des Plantes botanical gardens, as well as the Panthéon building that has the remains of notable achievers like Voltaire and Marie Curie.

Book-lovers will find their place in this district since it is filled with mega-bookstores on Place St-Michel as well as booksellers in the open-air who showcase the books by on the Seine. If you want to avoid the crowds, start with book-hunting early in the morning.

Latin Quarter, Paris, France

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3 – Montmartre

For a budget-friendly but romantic area, head to Montmarte. This is the most romantic neighborhood in Paris. What makes it so fairytale-like is that it is located on the top of a small hill so you’ll have a beautiful landscape to look at and enjoy. Montmarte is also known as the Mountain of Martyrs and it’s set in the 18th arrondissement.

This charming place still has that village atmosphere that makes your night walks more romantic and simply takes you back in the time. And in the moments when you want some unforgettable entertainment, make sure to visit the Moulin Rouge.

With many gardens and vineyards, you’ll be able to get lost in nature. There are lots of little bistros, windmills, museums, and artists who are absorbing the atmosphere that resembles the 19th and 20th centuries.

Many novel writers come here to get inspiration that will get them good ratings. This is certainly a place that will leave you with many unforgettable memories. Montmarte is perfect for couples looking for a romantic getaway, artists who are in search of inspiration, and a group of friends who want to enjoy the authentic Paris atmosphere.

Montmartre, Paris, France

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19 – Belleville

If you don’t mind doing a little bit of walking and taking public transport, consider staying in Belleville. My first time in Paris I couchsurfed and stayed with a host in Belleville. This neighborhood is the China Town of Paris and the working-class district.

The neighborhood is not very touristy, there’s nothing particular to note except the awesome Parc de Belleville and Edith Piaf’s apartment (incidentally right around the corner of where I stayed). Graffitis might be construed as a bad image for the city but not in Belleville – it’s considered art here!

There are lots of cafes and bars to choose from and every weekend comes the farmers market. This area is some of the cheaper parts of Paris and still relatively safe and great for families. If you want to experience Paris like a local, stay in Belleville.

Belleville, Paris, France

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Best Time to Visit Paris

While the weather in Paris is similar to most European cities and there all tourists visiting the city at all times, there are still some differences depending on seasons. So, here are some of the best times to head to the City of Light:

• Early December-February – The cheapest prices and colder weather
• April-June and October-early November – Smaller crowds and best for sight-seeing
• May, June, September, and October – Best for honeymooners
• July and August – Very hot and the roads outside Paris will be congested because of the local’s holiday trips.

Ready to Visit Paris?

As you can see, Paris has so many different sides, and if you can’t explore all of them choose a neighborhood most suitable for your needs. To recapitalize and help you narrow down your choices, let’s just revise the best places to stay based on the preferences and group types:

• Where to stay in Paris if you are visiting the first time – 1st and 7th arrondissement
• Where to stay in Paris for good nightlife – Marais and Latin Quarter
• Where to stay in Paris for a budget-friendly trip – Latin Quarter
• Where to stay in Paris with your family – Saint Germain
• Where to stay in Paris for a romantic getaway – Montmarte
• Where to stay in Paris for a luxurious lifestyle – 1st arrondissement
• Where to stay in Paris for artists and writers – Montmarte, Latin Quarter, Saint Germain, and 11th arrondissement
• Where to stay in Paris for shopping lovers – 1st arrondissement, Marais, and 7th arrondissement
• Where to stay in Paris for food lovers – 11th arrondissement
• Where to stay in Paris like a local– Belleville

With this little list, you can simply find the area that you like the most and have an unforgettable trip to a place that exudes with history, romance, and guilty pleasures.

About the Author:

Daniela McVicker is a freelance writer, blogger, and content editor at TopWritersReview. She graduated from Durham University and has an MA in psychological science. Her passion is traveling and finding ways to enrich students’ learning experiences.

This post contains affiliate links from Booking.com or similar. It costs nothing to you should you purchase or book from our affiliate links.

The post Where To Stay In Paris | The Best Neighborhoods appeared first on Always Wanderlust.

The geographic and climatic variety of Georgia makes it an all-season country to visit. Georgian people are fortunate to be living in this fertile edge of the Caucasus. Located at the conjuncture of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, Georgia has always been a beautiful land. Georgian call their country Sakartvelo, “Kartveli” means Georgian in their language. So welcome to the beautiful area of Kartvelian people!

Where is Georgia?

The Black sea is to the west, Russia to the north, and Turkey & Armenia to the south. Tbilisi is the Capital city of Georgia and the largest. A powerful Georgian kingdom existed between the 10th and 13th centuries. However, Georgia has been a victim of invading empires and conquest.

After a long rule of the Turks and Persians, it was annexed by the Russian empire in the 19th century. Eventually, Georgia became independent on April 19, 1991, not long after the fall of the Soviet Union. Lari is the Georgian currency.

Major Cities & their Population

Major Georgian cities include:

Tbilisi – 1,049,498

Kutaisi – 178,338

Batumi – 121,806

Zugdidi – 73,006

Rustavi – 50,000

What is so Fascinating about Georgia?

The northern border of Georgia includes several dramatic mountain roads. These mountainous ranges offer hikes of a few hours and treks of several days. The most crowd-pleasing trek is the four-day route from Mestia to the unbelievably delineated Ushguli. Shkhara (5193m), Georgia’s highest peak, is steeping behind Ushguli. Mountain biking territories are also available in Georgia (bikes available for rent locally). A three-hour road trip to North of Tbilisi leads you to Mount Kazbek (5047m).

Besides, horse-trekking is also popular in Georgia. Another profound thing about Georgia is its language. The Georgian comes with its dominant taste that you might not hear in other languages. The unusual sounds make this language unique. Georgian has its 33-alphabet, including some consonants that are to be articulated in the back of the throat. The alphabets look very much the same. A jiggle in mouth and your “K” can change into “V.” Georgian writing is even more beautiful than the spoken language itself.

Where should you stay in Georgia?

There are a lot of exciting places to stay in Georgia. Hotels and hostels for any needs and budget. It’s always better to stay near the most famous landmarks, so follow your itinerary. There are some interesting urban spaces to stay in, for example, Fabrika Hotel in Tbilisi. If you are seeking luxury, Radisson Blu, Rooms hotels, Crown Plaza Borjomi, or the most luxurious hotel Paragraph are waiting for you.

Georgian cuisine is soothing 

Georgian food is deservedly famous among visitors. The popular national dishes include “Khachapuri” (resembles a cheese pie) and “Khinkali” (spiced meat in a dumpling). Dumplings are the most famous in this part of the world. If one wants to enjoy the delicious filling and savory of it, then he must forget a knife and fork because cutting the dumpling would spill the juice and ruin the taste.

Apart from these, Churchkhela is the most eye-catching food of all. It is considered a war food in Georgia because of its proteinous nature. Grape juice is poured over walnuts gently so that it gives the essential taste. Churchkhela is served with coffee at home nowadays.

Georgian Wine

Georgia’s high-quality beer production is famous all around the world. After independence from the Soviet Union, Georgia improved its quality in beer production and introduced its products to the world. Beer is the long-lived tradition in the mountains of Caucasus. Kazbegi, Aluda, Lomisi, Natakhtari, Argo are some of the Georgian beers.

It also has foreign beers, including; Heinekin, Bitburger, Lowenbrau, etc. The ancient tradition of wine production (red and white) makes Georgia the birthplace of it. French and Italian wines are rival to Georgian wine.

Folk Music & Dance

The culture of Georgia lies in its musical folklore. It expresses the beautiful nature, everyday life, and traditional values of Georgia. The most famous forms of Georgian music are church and folk polyphony.

The singers are usually men. The typical Georgian song consists of three male voices. Georgians sing while celebrating events or working. Mravalzheimeri is the most popular song sung at weddings and the new year.

In 1997, NASA sent a Voyager 2 to space with 25 golden melodies. Chakrulo, a classic and old polyphonic Georgian song, is among them. It was also included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage.

Georgian dance contains life in itself. It incorporates various forms of rituals and ceremonies. It expresses a traditional attitude of men towards women. Male dancers need a lot of energy and stamina. A man dances on his tiptoes without any special shoes. A woman in Georgian dance is reserved and tries to stay humble.

“Kartuli” is a traditional dance performed by both the groom and bride at their wedding ceremony. It represents devotion and love to the bride from her soulmate.

Georgian choreography is full of warrior dances. It reflects the history where men had to defend their land against invaders. People symbolically portray unity between soldiers. Example: “Khorumi Dance.”

Religion in Georgia

Around 80% of Georgia’s population is Christian. Most of them belong to the Georgian Orthodox church. Georgia was the 2nd country after Armenia to adopt Christianity as a state religion in 326 CE. In the 5^th century, the Bible was translated into the Georgian language. In the earliest of the centuries, Zoroastrianism was commonly practiced in Georgia.

It always remained a Christian majority despite frequent invasions by Muslim rulers. Regardless of the huge influence of Christianity, Georgia has lots of tolerance for other religions as well. The constitution of Georgia provides religious freedom. The country protects the rights of citizens in this regard and allows them to practice their religion.

People from the Southern and the Southwestern parts of the country (like Adjara) are Sunni Muslims. Islam is the 2nd most influential religion. The religion first came during the era of the third caliph, Uthman. Today, Georgia has two major Muslim groups, the Sunni Hanafis and the Ithna Ashariya (mainly from ethnic Azerbaijan community). There are also a small number of Catholics.

Resources in Georgia

Georgia is rich in natural resources. On the southern slope of, deposits of manganese, silver-lead, coal, barite, and marble are found. In some areas, copper, zinc, mercury, arsenic, and marble are mined. Georgia is also known for its rich mineral waters. Mineral waters have equal importance as the other minerals. Almost all kinds of mineral water are found in the country.

The natural spring water creates a situation for the treatment of patients with cardiovascular, endocrine, and digestive system disorders. Another important resource in Georgia is its river network. Out of 26060 rivers, 18109 are located in western Georgia while 7951 in eastern Georgia. It also has thermal waters, which can be very useful in the agriculture and energy sector.

Georgia has around 850 lakes. The lakes are of very diverse origin. The majority of the lakes contain freshwater with a very little amount of salt. The largest lake in volume is Lake Paravani, in-depth – Lake Ritza. These water reserves are very important in terms of agriculture. Flora is also an important resource in the country.

Nearly a third of the land of the country is covered with woods. The amount of this wood and greenery is higher in the mountains. A magnificent variety of herbs can be found in alpine and subalpine meadows in the woods of the Black Sea coast. Trees of oaks, hornbeams, chestnut trees, maples, beeches are found.

Forests contribute to the economy through the production of wood and wood products. The forests are also important for the country’s biodiversity, which provides a unique ecosystem.

More Visitors every Year

Having less than 100,000 visitors annually to around 6.5 million visitors is not just the outcome of it being a nice place to go. It includes various other reasons. The political change in Georgia has resulted in tourist attraction because it has opened itself to the world. Change in the country’s foreign policy has opened doors for tourism. The country’s policymakers have worked a lot in the tourism industry because of its potential in increasing the GDP.

The eye-catching developments have oriented Georgia towards increased tourism. The main issue with tourism is the language barrier. But in recent times, the Government has adopted pro-English policies. It now ranks 45th in the world out 88 for English proficiency, above Chile and China.

One of the easiest ways to increase visitor ratio is just by allowing people to travel to your country. To achieve this goal, the Government has introduced a non-restrictive visa policy. The food supplies in the hotels and the architecture of hotels and restaurants are not 100% assured. In 2015, World Bank loaned around 60 million to the country.

The money was invested, with a specific goal of improving tourism in the Samtskhe-Javakheti and Mtskheta-Mitaneti regions. Previously these regions were out of the tourism circuit. Georgia has improved a lot in the recent past.

Tbilisi – The capital City of Georgia

Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia, with over 1.5 million inhabitants. The old town Tbilisi is a grassed enclosure with houses built around small courts. The newer parts of the capital are of modern architecture. The local art shops, wine houses, family-run guesthouses add to the buzz-life of Tbilisi.

The Paris Wheel in the park is the highest point in Tbilisi. It also has a small amusement park, bars, and restaurants. Couples can enjoy the exuberant landscape in the evening. The park can be easily reached by Bus 124. Tbilisi is considered one of the best clubbing cities in Eastern Europe. Many local bars are expanded across the city. Bars lit up Tbilisi in the night.

What to do in Tbilisi is a matter of taste, decide what you want to do, and Tbilisi can offer you any entertainment and sightseeing. Ancient historical monuments, modern architecture, unique gastronomy, wine, and the best night clubs – make your choice!

All-weather Country

June marks the start of summer and stays up to August. Summers in Georgia can be a little too hot in the capital, with the temperature rising to 30 degrees. This is a perfect time to head to the mountains or coast. During summers, Georgia hosts traditional festivals, such as Open Air, Black Sea Jazz festival, and many other events.

The colors of autumn are a delight to watch in Georgia. It’s cooling down in the lowlands and a pleasant season to enjoy. Georgia has a lot of trees, and the autumn colors are worth watching. Of course, wine is a national passion in Georgia, and grapes are harvested late September to late October.

The Tbilisoba festival is a treat after summers. The festival is celebrated for over a week in October. People enjoy full swing with lots of food, music, dance, and of course, wine. It is advised to participate in the vintage season and harvest some vine. It is freezing in inland areas until February. The winter is from December to March.

There’s an energetic winter sports scene. Ski resorts open up. Skiing in Georgia is cheap as compared to Western Europe and North America. The crowd here is few, and vibes are relaxing. The ski season here lasts until April. Spring comes with a many spring shower in April and May.

The popular rafting season starts on the Aragvi Rivers north of Tbilisi. The best activities in springtime can be hikes, road trips, and a visit to the beautiful lakes in Georgia. Independence Day is also celebrated during this season (May 26). The parade on Rustaveli Avenue is worth watching.

Best Places to Visit

Founded around 1000 BC, Uplistsikhe is located in eastern Georgia. It is about 10 km away from Tbilisi. Uplistsikhe means “Lord’s Fortress,” and it is an abandoned rock-fashioned town that is more than 3000 years old. It is one of the oldest urban settlements in Georgia.

The cave city consisted of a pharmacy, a bakery, and even a prison, and are connected by tunnels. Another darling place to visit in Georgia is the “Katskhi Pillar.” Also known as “the Pillar of Life,” it is a 40 m limestone massive structure. Around the 4th century, this pillar became a place of segregation for the ‘Stylites’ who had a ‘slight’ preoccupation with sitting on top of rocks.

They believed that this process could take them closer to God. How they reached the top and built the church remains a mystery! Another destination of interest in Georgia is Chiatura. It is a small town sheltered between steep valleys and deep gorges. It was founded in the late 1800s. In 1954 the Stalinist Government installed a system of cable cars.

The workers went to the mining destinations with the help of these cable cars. Every corner of the town was connected through these cable cars, and Chiatura was later known as “cable car city.” Some of the cable cars are still used as a means of free public transport. Chiatura is a mysterious and fascinating city where people still feel the demon of the Soviets.

Best things to do

There are a good number of churches in Tbilisi. The Holy Trinity Cathedral is famous among all. Its height is 97.5 m that makes it the 3rd largest in the world. The other two are Saint Isaac’s Cathedral in Saint Petersburg and the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. The great Mtatsminda Park is also one of the go-to places in Tbilisi.

You might also want to take a Sulphur bath while you’re in town. They are situated in the Abanotubani district. The Sulphur baths are a great place to relax for two to three hours, especially in the colder months of the year. The price of these baths varies from 30 Lari to 100 Lari. Most of these baths are 24/7 open.

What are You Waiting for?

People who have traveled to Georgia before, find it an exuberant place to visit. Many people who did not initially want to put the country’s visit on their wish list, and ended up booking their tickets and starting their journeys towards other dream places, were later found to be regretful of changing their decision because the reviews from visitors of Georgia were extremely promising and astounding.

Georgia has an eye-catching yet serene theme of green colors, a jazz lifestyle, and a fascinating and welcoming environment. Not only this, but its evergreen people make it even more hospitable and worth visiting with their friendly demeanor towards tourists and foreigners.

Not only this, but you would also be delighted by the flavorful and delicious Georgian cuisine that you would not find anywhere else in the world. The mouth-watering savory taste of dumplings and the delicious Khinkali with a cold beer are themselves waiting for you to come, try them once, and fall in love with them forever.

You would also not want to miss the magnificent historic architecture that it adorns the streets and roads of Georgia and takes you back to see the world through the eyes of those that existed many years before you. The places that we described before are surely exotic to hear about, but we promise you, they are even a greater delight to visit and will surely treat your eyes with their stunning beauty.

So don’t miss out on this, because we assure you that you too will become a fan of this heaven on earth. Hurry up and find the best economical as well as luxurious travel plans and travel with your family and friends on the trip of your lifetime and visit the lush green gorgeous Georgia!

The post Georgia Travel Guide: The Shangri-La of Caucasus appeared first on Always Wanderlust.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

The city-state of Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina. It’s rich; diverse culture has been shaped by the flow of migrants looking for a better life. Buenos Aires’ residents have come for over 100 years from all over Europe and Russia.

This sprawling metropolis is home to 13 million people spread across 40 diverse neighborhoods or barrios. The buildings and traditions have been stitched together from worldwide influences. European style architecture dominates the city center. When I first landed in Buenos Aires on a flight from Madrid, I thought the plane never left Spain!

Museo Histórico Nacional del Cabildo y la Revolución de Mayo

Buenos Aires an amazing place to visit and explore. So many places to see and things to do. You’d be hard press to spend only a couple of days exploring this expansive place. You’d need several days or even weeks.

But where to stay in this sprawling metropolis?

There are many neighborhoods and sections of Buenos Aires, and there are many places you pick. There are some neighborhoods I’ve omitted because either the location is too far away from cool stuff to do (and things to see) or simply there are not many options in terms of accommodations like “Retiro” for example.

I’ve also omitted the “La Boca” barrio, though beautiful in the daytime it can get very seedy at night. It’s generally not a good place to be, and it tends to have a higher crime rate than the rest of the city. I’ve picked (and tested) the best places where you can have fun and stay reasonably close to all the tourist attractions, while being safe, in Buenos Aires. You can read all about it below.

The Best Places To Stay In Buenos Aires

I spent about two months in this city. To say it’s huge is an understatement. I’ve stayed in dank hostels in downtown and event rented fancy apartments with the celebrities in Palermo. There are some seedy areas in the city and some very cool places. I’m here to give some insights on where to stay and what to do in those places.

This guide to some of the best neighborhoods will help you to choose the best place for you. A base to set out explore this fascinating city.

Pro Tip: Read my detailed travel guide on Argentina for tips on traveling in the country and how to save time and money.

Microcentro – Where to stay in Buenos Aires for Central Location

A rainbow hovers above the Plaza de Mayo and Piramidi de Mayo

This is the corporate heart of the city. During the day, it is busy and lively. At night when the office workers leave, it is quieter.  Plenty of restaurants and shopping catering for residents and tourists. There are easy transport links to the bus and rail network. An ideal central location for exploring this vast and fascinating city.

Microcentro, Buenos Aires, Argentina

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Top 5 Things to Do in the Microcentro

This is Buenos Aire’s cultural and historic district. No doubt, you will find the most iconic architecture in the city. Just walking around the Plaza de Mayo will show you most of the European style buildings of the city.

1 – Walk around the Plaza de Mayo

Go for a stroll and admire the buildings. This is the oldest public square in Buenos Aires. It’s the place where the public have gathered throughout history. The Casa Rosada is the government house.  It is also known as the pink house. Guess why! Eva Perón spoke from the balcony in 1940 – an event that is featured in the song Evita.

There is an interesting museum behind Casa Rosada that explores the history of Argentina. It is free to visit. The Cabildo de Buenos Aires houses the national museum.  It concentrates on the May Revolution and the fight for independence.

2 – Check out the El Obelisko

A national monument that commemorates the 400^th  year of the founding of the city. It was erected in 1936 and has recently been cleaned up and restored.  It is an impressive 67m high. Stand at its base and marvel at the widest street ever. The Avenida 9 de Julio has so many lanes.

El Obelisko at night

Impressive and slightly terrifying for the pedestrian, but don’t worry, there are lots of people crossing the street towards the Obelisko. The monument is worth checking out at night or dusk when it lights up and displays all its glory.

3 – Tango and Shopping

Browse through the shops in the Florida Mall and enjoy the street performances of Tango. Then visit the Confiteria Ideal, a beautiful building that has starred in many films. Take a tango lesson or join in with a dance party at El Baso on a Friday afternoon.

4 – Visit Two Iconic Buildings

The Palacio Barola is uniquely designed around Dante’s Divine Comedy. It is an office block with 22 floors. To see this remarkable building, you need to book onto a guided tour. A 1920’s elevator takes you from floor to floor. On the roof, there is a lighthouse from which you can see a panoramic view of the city. You may prefer a night tour, which includes a wine tasting.

The Casa de la Cultura has a room – the Salon Dorado, inspired by Versailles. Think gold cherubs and rococo style.  This building was commissioned for the La Prensa newspaper.  The building is topped by a bronze statue of Pallas Athena – the goddess of wisdom.  She represents the freedom of the press. Visit on a Friday evening to enjoy a musical performance.

5 – Kitsch Culture

Take a guided tour of La Botica del Angel, the birthplace of the “café concert.” This was the home of Eduardo Bergara Leumann. He was an actor and TV presenter with a flamboyant style. The interior displays bling at an extreme level. If it glittered, he loved it.

San Telmo – Where to Stay in Buenos Aires on a Budget

This is the oldest barrio in Buenos Aires. The site of the first industrial works in the 17^th century.  It housed the dockworkers and the brickmakers. It is named after the patron saint of seafarers.

The most multicultural area of the city. The colonial buildings and the cobbled streets echo the lives of past inhabitants.  Now the buildings house antique shops, steak houses, cafés, and tango parlors. The area is famous for its murals and pop-up galleries. The Paseo de la Historieta runs through San Telmo, and you can see comical structures throughout.

Budget accommodations are plentiful in San Telmo, so if you’re on a tight budget, I recommend you stay here. There are also lots of places to eat for cheap. There are few luxury hotels, but they do exist in San Telmo. See below.

San Telmo, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Top 5 Things to Do in San Telmo

1 – Visit the Plaza Dorrego

The Plaza Dorrego is the beating heart of San Telmo.  A historic square with plenty of bars and cafés. You may be lucky and witness an impromptu tango performance. Or you can visit one of the many milongas (tango parlors) to see the dance that was born here.

On Sunday, the square hosts a sprawling antique fair. Almost 300 stalls crowd together accompanied by street entertainers.  In the surrounding streets like Calle Defensa, the stalls offer crafts and unique gifts. If you are looking for clothing, visit Pasaje Guiffra.

2 – Visit the Convento de Santo Domingo

This Dominican convent was built in the 18^th Century.  The British lay siege to it in the 19^th Century.  It was turned into a museum when the Dominicans were thrown out. The interior is a beautiful example of the Spanish colonial style. Manuel Belgrano, a national hero, is buried here. A beautiful building a short walk from Plaza Dorrego.

3 – Check out Casa Mínima

This is a small narrow house that was supposedly built by freed slaves. Or gifted to a free slave. It’s a great and charming story that highlights the historic slavery that existed in Buenos Aires and the rest of the world.  It is a fascinating little house and worth including in a walk around the historic buildings. Blink, and you may miss it.

4 – Admire the Architecture

Take a breath and look around. The mix of cultures has resulted in some lovely and unusual buildings in various styles. Many of the old colonial houses are now galleries and shops. Look out for the Solar de French. Once the home of a French soldier, now a place to shop. Many quirky artisanal wares.

5 – Museum of Modern Art (MAMBA)

The building was a tobacco warehouse built in the 19^th Century. The museum has been recently restored (2010) and contains an impressive amount of Argentine art. Also, work by many modern artists like Salvador Dalí and Henri Matisse.

Palermo – Best Area to stay in Buenos Aires for Nightlife

Floralis Genérica structure in Palermo

Palmero is the largest neighborhood in Buenos Aires. Lively and vibrant. Palmero has it all. Historical museums, restaurants, art galleries, and green spaces. It is so large that it is a collection of neighborhoods. Each has its own distinct feel and attractions. This place is also active at night, featuring bars and nightclubs.

If you’re staying in Buenos Aires a little longer than a month, Palermo is your best choice. I recommend you find an apartment rental. My then-girlfriend (wife now) rented an apartment for a month in Palermo. It’s one of the up and comping neighborhoods of Buenos Aires and fairly clean. Outside of this, check out my recommendations for the best accommodations in Palermo.

Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Top 5 Things to Do in Palermo

1 – Visit the Museums

MALBA – Museo de Arte de Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires. Founded in 2001, it boasts a fabulous collection of Latin American art. Tickets are cheap and start at $2 per person.

Museo Evita – dedicated to the life and impact of Eva Perón

Museo de Arte Popular José Hernández – the collection of the family Blanco. A small museum filled with a collection of religious icons and silver.

2 – Go to the Gardens

Palmero has two notable gardens. A botanic garden and a Japanese garden. Both are an exquisite day walking around fabulous green spaces. There’s a small fee to get into the Japanese garden but well worth it. You can always see this along with other notable attractions via the Hop-on-Hop-off bus.

3 – Take a Walk in the Parks

Parque Tres de Febrero contains the Galileo Galilei Planetarium. There are many other green spaces to enjoy. An impromptu picnic?

4 – Visit the Buenos Aires Eco, Park

This used to be known as the city zoo. It still retains the collection of animals.

5 – Food Culture

The Argentine meat platter is impressive. Most restaurants serve this grilled dish. La Cacrera is well-known for this dish.

The Plaza Serrano is the place to go for cocktails and drinks. If you want a view of the ocean with your favorite drink, then head to the historic Club de Pescadores.

For shopping and food, visit Palmera Hollywood with its fashion stores and upmarket restaurants.

Recoleta – Where to Stay in Buenos Aires for the First Time

A wealthy barrio with upmarket boutiques and exclusive schools.  It’s famous for its buildings. The former palaces and townhouses are in the fine art style. A quiet walk in the early morning or late afternoon will let you experience how it resembles Paris.

If it’s your first time in Buenos Aires, this would be your ideal place because it will have most of its famous tourist attractions within walking distance. Buenos Aires is a big city, but I walked from neighborhood to neighborhood without exhausting myself. It’s a pedestrian-friendly city.

Recoleta, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Top 5 Things to Do in the Recoleta

Outside of the famed cemetery with the same name, the Recoleta neighborhood is full of colorful things to do. There’s a shopping mall and a movie theater right next to the cemetery if you get tired of looking at tombs.

1 – Visit Recoleta Cemetery

This strange and beautiful graveyard dates back to 1822.

All the graves are above ground and are ornately decorated.

The building styles are an eclectic mix of ancient, modern, and quirky.

There are at least 6,400 graves.

Each one a marvel. It’s worth taking a tour to learn about some of the fascinating people buried here.

Famously Eva Perón, twenty years after her death.

Every grave has its own tale to tell. Not just the high-status ones.

Open 8:00 am, and the gates close at 6:00 pm.

2 – Check out a Bookshop and a Library

One of the 12 largest bookshops in the world. The fabulous El Atenceo Grand Splendid is worth a visit. Not just for books but for the building. It began in 1919 as a theatre. A short spell as a cinema. Now an exquisite bookshop. You can drink a cup of coffee while listening to the piano player. Admire the sumptuous theatrical décor. Red velvet drapes and fresco ceilings provide the opulent backdrop to the rows and rows of books.

The National Library of Argentina is built in the brutalist style. It is built on the grounds of the demolished Unzué Palace. This was the residency of President Juan Perón and his wife, Eva. The reading room on the fifth floor has a spectacular view.  You will need identification to gain access to the library. The library has close to a million historical documents, some of which date back to the 16^th century. A fascinating glimpse of past lives and troubles.

3 – Get a Dose of Culture

At not one but three museums.

The Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes houses art by Titian, Goya, and Rembrandt.

The Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo has period furniture, silver, and some exquisite Zubov miniatures from Russia.

The Centro Cultural Recoleta has sculptures, interactive exhibits, events, and workshops.

4 – Visit the Parque Thays

Enjoy a walk around the sculptures. The park was named after Carlos Thays – a French landscape architect. He designed many of the green spaces around the city.  Look out for the impressive sculpture by the Columbian artist Fernando Botero – the nude male torso (Torso Masculino Desnudo). As well as Marta Minujín’s United Nations statue and many others.

Stroll through Calle Junín to see some of the wonderful former palaces like Palacio Duhau and Pizzurno Palace.

5 – It’s time to Shop

At the weekend, make time to visit the Feria de Artesanos de Plaza Francia. The 150 plus stands offer a wide range of high-quality handcrafted goods. At a substantial discount to the same goods gound in the upscale shops. A festive atmosphere is provided by a range of street performers. Plenty and varied street food to enjoy as you decide what to buy. Or just soak up the atmosphere. All kinds of traditional and modern items made from silver, leather, and ceramics.

Need a coffee break?  Then head to the year-old Café La Biela. Serving its customers for 150 years. You can sip your coffee on the terrace shaded from the sun by a giant rubber tree. The name means ‘connecting-rod.’ Once, it was the meeting place for racing car champions. The interior is decorated with motoring memorabilia. The café is recognized as a Place of Cultural Interest. 

Puerto Madero – Where to Stay in Buenos Aires for the New Trendy

This was once a run-down dockland. It has been refreshed through a decade of regeneration. This is a quiet and safe place to visit. Celebrated architects like Santiago Calatrava have contributed to the transformation.

This place is surrounded by modern high-rises yet close to the historic district. There are many waterfront restaurants, and if you happen to be there during New Year, there’s the fireworks show.

Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires, Argentina

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Top 5 Things to Do in Puerto Madero

Puerto Madero is a hip hang out. There are lots of modern structures and top-notch restaurants throughout. It’s a perfect place for a late-night stroll.

1 – Burque Museo Corbeta A.R.A “Uruguay”

This nautical museum is close to the Sarmiento. This ship is a corvette. You can find out about its history from the exhibitions and items displayed inside. It had an interesting working life that included a rescue mission to Antarctica as well as naval battles.

2 – Buque Museo Fragata Sarmiento

You can explore the ship and take that perfect Instagram photo from the deck. A view of the Buenos Aires skyline. You are standing on a ship that has been six times around the world. It was built in 1890. Only ever used as a training ship.

3 – Walk over Puente de la Mujer

The bridge designed by Calatrava. A fantastic blend of engineering prowess and art. Based on the idea of a couple dancing the tango. The bridge swings  90° to allow ships to pass up the river. Keep an eye out, especially if you’re there on the holidays for spectacular fireworks!

4 – Visit the Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve

The best way to see this giant park is by bike. There are many hire shops. You can explore a variety of habitats from forest to lagoons.  Enjoy a stroll along the ocean’s edge. This is a free attraction.

5 – Visit El Zanjón

In 1536 this was the first settlement of what was to grow into Buenos Aires. A large Mansion was constructed here in the 19^th Century. Some of the original structures were destroyed in the process. Tourists can now explore the site as a collage of different times. Colonial buildings alongside a ruined mansion. 

Villa Crespo – The Coolest Place to Stay in Buenos Aires

This is a district that manages to balance being modern and traditional.  This is the barrio with a large Jewish population.  Take a stroll around the streets, and you will come across historic synagogues.

Villa Crespo, Buenos Aires, Argentina

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Top 5 Things to Do in Villa Crespo

1 – Shop for Leather Goods

Murillo is both the traditional and current center for the craft of worked leather. You will find many shops covering any item that can be made out of leather. If you have the time, you can have a custom made item to fit you.

2 – Enjoy Dining

A multicultural community with a varied range of restaurants. Sample Jewish dishes at La Crespo. Try middle eastern cuisine at Sarkis. If you’re a meat-eater, you’ll be in heaven!

Argentina has some of the best beef in the world. Definitely go for the Argentine Parilla.

3 – Parque Centenario

A circular park covering 12 hectares.  Plenty to do and see. The park contains the Bernardino Rivadavia Argentine Museum of Natural Science. It is open every afternoon until 7 pm.  For festivals and events, visit the Eva Peron Amphitheatre.

At the edges of the park, you will find an assortment of stalls. A book fair all week and a weekend market.

4 – Explore the Streets

As well as the buildings, you can admire the art. Villa Crespo is famed for its murals.  Buenos Aires is acknowledged as one of the top cities for urban art. They can be seen all over the area, but there are some spectacular examples at the crossroads of Castillo and Serrano. You can take an organized tour to seek out the hidden gems. This is free art on a giant colorful scale.

5 – Enjoy a Night Out

Visit Club Silencio for cocktails while you watch a performance. You begin the experience with a blindfold and are led through a sensory musical experience.  This club is based on the David Lynch club of the same name in Paris. Or you can go to Villa Malcolm for cheap wine and tango dancing. Café San Bernardo offers pool, dancing, and your drink of choice.

Belgrano – The best Neighborhood in Buenos Aires for Families

In this friendly neighborhood, you can see old Anglo-Saxon style family houses mixed together with sleek, high-rise apartment blocks. There are two things to watch and listen for while walking around the sidewalks.

The unique dialect that is a mixture of Spanish and German. It’s called Belgranodeutsch. The other is the dog walkers. They have masses of dogs. There is a rule that there is a maximum of ten dogs per person. This is often ignored with people walking twice that number.

Top 5 Things to Do in Belgrano

1 – Go Shopping for Clothes

This is the area for fashionistas. The shops are centered around Avenida Cabildo. You can get anything from top designers down to fast fashion.

2 – Barrancas de Belgrano

There are many green spaces across Buenos Aires. In Belgrano, the park is designed by the French-Argentine architect Carlos Thay. It was created by moving a river by building an artificial embankment.  Over 60 different varieties of trees and plants grow here.  It is a pleasant green space to relax in the midst of the city.

There are many sculptures to enjoy as you stroll around. Most famously a replica of the Statue of Liberty. It was made by Frédéric Bartholdi. The same creator as the iconic statue.

In the evening you can watch tango dancers at the bandstand.

3 – Visit a Museum

There are two museums.  The Larreta Museum is housed in the former home of the Argentine writer Enrique Larreta. Inside there are exhibits of his modern art collection. His love for Spain is reflected in the exhibits and the beautiful tiled floors. Outside, the garden is laid out in the Andalusian style.

The Historical Museum Sarmiento was once the town hall. It is built in the style of an Italian townhouse. The museum covers Argentine history. You can take a guided tour, and there is a museum gift shop.

4 – Visit River Plate Stadium

This is the largest stadium in Argentina. It is the venue for most of the international football matches played in this country. Depending on your preference you can watch a football match or a concert. Or you can visit the sports museum on the site. At 3,500 square feet, it is the largest museum dedicated to sporting achievement in the World. The stadium sits in the Estuary of the Rio de la Plata. The silver river, but the English mistranslated it as a plate. The Argentine name for the stadium is Estadio Monumental.

5 – Walk Around the Streets

If you are passing the Inmaculada Conceptión Church in the afternoon, you may be lucky enough to see a bright and colorful wedding party. The building itself is beautiful.  It is built in a round shape and has a lovely interior and an interesting history.

After you have enjoyed the architecture, make sure you end up in the Barrio Chino – China Town.  You enter through an ornate stone archway. Here you can enjoy the noodle bars and street food. But you can also sit down in a high-end restaurant to enjoy the very best oriental cuisine. Around February, you may be fortunate enough to see the Chinese New Year celebrations. Plenty of shops selling a mixture of oriental goods.

The Best Accommodation In Buenos Aires?

Are you looking for the best hotels in Buenos Aires, regardless of the location? Don’t have the time to look at the various neighborhoods and barrios? Here are my top picks for hotels and other accommodations in Buenos Aires!

If you want the best views in Buenos Aires, there can be none better than the Hotel Panamerico! The top floor lounge is reserved for guests only, and you won’t be able to get the insane view of the Avenida 9 de Julio with the Obelisko unless you book a room in the hotel. It’s rated at 4.5 Stars, so it’s not exactly friendly if you’re in a tight budget.

I think the view with all the photos I was able to get is well worth it. I think I paid just a hair over $100 a night, but the photos I got from the top are priceless. Just click on the link of this page to get the best deals in rooms.

This post contains affiliate links from Booking.com or similar. It costs nothing to you should you purchase or book from our affiliate links.

The post Where To Stay In Buenos Aires | The Best Places and Neighborhoods appeared first on Always Wanderlust.

La Paz, Mexico

I’ve been staring at the same email for 15 minutes now. One of my best engineers has quit, I’ve had two new projects dumped on me, and now I’m being sent to Poland to sort out a problem I thought was fixed.

A week before Christmas, London is cold, dark, and depressing. I have a successful career in IT – and I’m thoroughly miserable. I lay my head flat on my desk and decide: enough.

From Mexico City to Tranquility Bay

Fun fact: Mexico City sits nearly 7,500 feet above sea level. The low pressure causes altitude sickness. But it also means water boils at 92°C / 198°F. That’s right – in CDMX, your tea or coffee isn’t quite as hot as you’d like it to be :)

After a week of headaches, lethargy – and cold tea – a short flight dropped us in La Paz on a glorious, sunny afternoon. You could almost taste the oxygen in the air.

Manuel Márquez de León is a small, efficient regional airport, and it only took half an hour or so to get our bags and escape Arrivals.

There’s a pre-paid taxi booth, which does the 20 minute run into town for about US$12/person. Not expensive, and unless you’re renting or being picked up, you’ve no other option. Uber doesn’t operate from the airport, and there’s no public transport. It’s a smooth trip. Traffic in La Paz is minimal; the roads mostly good. Good, because my seat belt won’t fasten.

Speeding into the Centro gives you a first chance to take in the scene: dry desert air, scrubby vegetation, palm trees and cacti, and the ever-watchful mountains to the south.

We got to our Airbnb without issue, to be met by our grinning Mexican host, Miguel.

“¡Hola! ¡Bienvenido a México! Is your first time?”

We made our introductions, dropped the luggage, had a quick tour around the apartment, and headed to the beach.

First Impressions

Our casa was about as central as it’s possible to be, and the walk to the sea should have taken about 10 minutes. It took three or four times that long; excited as kids on Christmas morning, we couldn’t stop taking pictures.

When you’ve spent so long looking forward to getting somewhere, the clash with reality on arrival can be jarring. Not so with La Paz. There are honest-to-god cactus trees growing in the streets! Palm trees, terracotta roof tiles, pretty low-rise houses, painted in soft pastel colours and then, dear reader, there’s the malecón. I’d explored it on Google Map., Seeing it in the flesh was breathtaking. It felt like we’d been transported into an old Western movie.

The malecón, or boardwalk, runs for 3½ miles along the seafront. For much of that length, it’s in impeccable condition: marble flagstones, solid sea walls, clean, tidy and well-presented. The Paceños take real pride in their waterfront.

In the central section, along with the heart of the Old Town, traffic is calmed. Every few hundred yards there’s some kind of sculpture: Jacques Cousteau, a frequent visitor. Mermaids and dolphins. A whale shark. The immense and moving Perla de La Paz:

And at the very heart lies El Kiosco (“the Kiosk”) – a bandstand and function area which hosts civic and cultural events on a regular basis.

As well as the bars and restaurants across from the malecón, there are hotels and dive shops, market stalls, street sellers selling incredibly cheap and tasty food.

But we were still to discover most of this. Climbing over the low wall by the Kiosk, we took off our shoes and splashed out into the crystal Sea of Cortes. Despite being November, the water was around 26°C/80°F.

Drying off, we wandered along the malecón to the La Paz sign. Mentally, this was the moment I’d been looking forward to.

Six months of planning, 6,000 miles to get here. We’d arrived in Mexico. In the bay of La Paz. The Jewel of the Sea of Cortes. We had our photo taken in front of the sign.

It felt wonderful.

Settling In

Over the weeks and months, we got to know the place pretty well. A few things you notice pretty quickly.

For example, La Paz has an official population of around 250,000, as of the 2015 census. It’s a big, low, flat city. Most of the buildings are one or two stories high. When land is so cheap, there’s little incentive to build high. The grid system works pretty well: despite occasional brutal thunderstorms and an impenetrable city roadworks policy, there is essentially no traffic.

After London, that’s a joyous feeling.

On the flip side: waste processing – and infrastructure in general – lags well behind Europe. We asked in every place we stayed, but there is no coherent plan for collection and recycling in La Paz. To make it worse, literally, everything comes with single-use plastic.

I paid for some bread and milk in Oxxo – before I’d even got my wallet out, they were scanned, scooped, dropped in a plastic bag, and handed to me by the bagging assistant. (Top tip: 10 pesos. Don’t be a Scrooge!)

Street tacos are often served on plastic dishes. These are washed and reused, but there’s a plastic sheet underneath the food – which isn’t. Buying empanadas? You may be able to buy them loose or in a paper bag. In Soriana, you get an 8” x 8” single-use plastic box for them.

And then, of course, there’s water management. Tap water isn’t drunk in Mexico: you get bottled water in. (It’s fine for making tea/coffee, and ice cubes in bars and restaurants are also safe). At the other… Uhm, end of the process, you’ll see waste bins beside most toilets. These are for toilet paper, sanitary products, and anything else that can find itself flushed away back home.

Mexican plumbing isn’t geared up for it. Use the basket. If you’re embarrassed at the thought, imagine having to explain to your host or front desk how you’ve blocked their pipes!

One other thing to bear in mind about La Paz is the cost of living. Yes, it’s Mexico, so it’s a lot cheaper than the US, Canada or the UK. But it’s also on the Baja peninsula. It’s the best part of 1,000 miles up to Tijuana, and the same again down to the nearest city (Mazatlan) across the Sea of Cortes.

To all intents and purposes, Baja California Sur is an island. Many staple products have to be shipped, flown or hauled from the mainland. And that costs.

Everything, from buses to beer, to cornflakes costs a bit more than in the big cities across the sea. This might partly explain why La Paz has one of the highest standards of living in Mexico – you need to be earning to afford it.

Being a Gringo In La Paz

There’s a lot of talk on Facebook groups and bulletin boards about the experience of being a Gringo in Mexico.

Let’s cut to the chase: Is La Paz a safe city? Obviously, I can only speak from my experience, and not for locals or other individual ex-pats or tourists.

At no time – not once – did I feel in the slightest danger in the three months I lived there. My partner got peseros to Zumba and boxing in the dark; not miles out of town, but a long way from the Centro. She also felt comfortable.

We’re not crazy-drinking teenagers, but a few times we were out for beers and ended up slightly the worse for wear. We felt in no danger walking home, and indeed, didn’t elicit very much interest from anyone. Ubers are safe, reliable and cheap.

My view on this is pretty much the same as you’ll read in sensible travel guides everywhere. Don’t walk around wearing conspicuous jewellery. Don’t flash cash. Don’t get involved with drugs, don’t get blind drunk and try to stagger home in the dark.

La Paz is a safe city (far safer than many), as long as you use the same common sense you would go anywhere else in the world.

Another topic that comes round from time to time on the boards is the “Gringo Tax”. For those not in the know, this is the idea that Mexicans will use any opportunity to extort additional funds from their “wealthy” visitors.

(You may not consider yourself wealthy – I’m an English teacher, so I certainly don’t. Nevertheless, when the minimum wage here is around US$32 a week, and I earn upwards of $10 an hour teaching online, it’s easy to see how the disparity arises).

Personally, I don’t think there’s much to the Gringo Tax. Sure, some chancers will take the opportunity if it comes round. And sometimes we’re just idiots!

I dropped some washing round at the laundry near our place. I was in a hurry, so I grabbed a couple of carrier bags, stuffed the washing in, and left them with the attendant.

When I queried the bill, it was pointed out that the price was per bag. Two bags – twice the cost. The woman helpfully suggested that next time I read the price list carefully before dropping the laundry.

Gringo tax? Idiot tax, more like.

Buyer beware!

Things to Do in La Paz – Getting out and about

La Paz is a perfect place to explore the rest of Baja California Sur. Car hire is pretty straightforward – just make 100% sure you check what is and isn’t included in the price. I found it really hard to compare companies, as they rarely compare apples and apples online!

In particular, check insurance is included and what it covers. It’s common for rental web sites to advertise daily rates as low as $3-4/day – then hit you with the extra $20-30 when you get into the office.

Buses between the major destinations are cheap and fairly frequent. They’re pretty luxurious too – if you don’t mind having Mexican soap operas or kids’ movies forced upon you by the in-house TV screens.

The must-visit locations are Todos Santos, Cabo San Lucas, and the beach strip running northeast of the city.

Todos Santos

Todos Santos is a small, sleepy community an hour’s drive from La Paz. Its inhabitants are a mix of long-time local residents and immigrants; apart from its lovely old architecture, it’s mostly known for its art and craft scene. Everything is very expensive here, so bring a card – and some cash too, as the ATMs are unreliable, and at least one won’t pay out on foreign accounts.

Todos Santos: Arts, crafts, and boho happiness – at a price

Fun Fact: The famous Hotel California here was founded by a Chinese immigrant, known locally as “El Chino”. In the 1950s he started shipping ice from La Paz to Todos Santos and became wildly popular for having the only bar in town with a cold beer.

Smart guy.

Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas is 2-2½ hours drive from La Paz. Depending on what you’re looking for, you’ll either love it or hate it.

“Cabo” has direct flights into major cities in the US and Canada, and is unashamedly a tourist resort. Everyone speaks English. Most visitors are wealthy compared to the locals, and the prices reflect that. (Think: US$11 for a pizza).

The Centro and marina would be beautiful, were it not for the crazy loud party bars, drunken tourists, and kids following you around trying to sell you drugs.

Pharmacies are everywhere, sometimes 2-3 in a row. They sell everything legal and some questionable. The kids even seem to be edging into this market – they were selling cocaine, marijuana, and Viagra. My only consolation was that they weren’t trying to sell me the latter!

We hated the place. It’s a Mexican Theme Park for gringos who want the comforts of home, in warmer weather, by the sea. This is not authentic in Mexico.

The whole area is unquestionably beautiful, but take my advice and get a bus or Uber out to one of the quieter beaches along the coast.

The Beach Corridor

There are 5-6 beaches stretching off beyond the eastern end of the Malecon, starting with El Coromuel which is a stiff walk from the Centro. For the rest, you really need a car, cab or Playa Bus which can be arranged from the Tourist Bus Station by the kiosco.

Balandra Beach may have launched the career of a thousand Instagram influencers, but it’s a little over-rated in my opinion. It’s certainly pretty and scenic; but the water only comes up to your knees, even when you’re a long way out. For me, a beach where you can’t swim is missing something :)

Playa Tecolote

If you want your Instagram shot, stop off at Balandra. Otherwise, carry on up the coast to Playa El Tecolote. It’s more remote and exposed, bigger, quieter, and affords lovely views of Isla Espirito Santo.

Moving On and Final Thoughts

La Paz is a peaceful, pretty, and easy place to live. The natives are warm, the weather warmer, the sea a delight. If you’re used to the conveniences of home, Walmart, Sam’s Club, and other box stores are on the outskirts of town – but honestly, for simple living, you don’t need to venture out there often. (Unless you need tea. Don’t get me started about trying to find British tea!)

But for us, it’s just a little too quiet and peaceful. Sure, there are bars, restaurants and a club or two. There’s even a regular open mic at Bob Marlins. But after living in London for so long, eventually, the peace and relaxation turn into antsiness and a need for more stimulation.

We’re now in Guadalajara. But I’ll always think fondly of La Paz. It was the right venue, in the right country, at the right time. It looked after me during a big change of life, and it carved a place for itself in my heart.

Give it a go – it may end up doing the same for you.

Author Biography

Marco Crawford is a recovering IT manager. He’s now travelling through Latin America teaching English and exploring Latin culture.

His favourite quote is: ”Nobody’s gravestone reads ‘I wish I’d spent more time in the office.’’”

Marco blogs at “Jocks Away Travel Blog”.

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The post Peace in La Paz, Mexico – Personal Musings of A Gringo appeared first on Always Wanderlust.

There’s a little park at the edge of the 520 floating bridge in Bellevue. Bellevue, like most cities in Washington, has tons of little parks – green, often lush from the wet and moist climate. It rains a lot here! As such, there are multiple times in a year where I would see a full-blown rainbow just around the corner of my backyard.

I took these series of photos when another rainbow appeared, this time at 520 Bridge View Park.

Here’s a bench where you can chill, and it overlooks the bridge that leads into Seattle from the Bellevue. If you walk directly to the left of the pathway here, you’ll end up in one of the wealthiest parts of Washington State – Medina.

Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates both have homes here. If you wanted to gaze at a few 30 million dollar plus homes (I have) you’ll have a field day in this place. Ironically, the city (Medina) is broke even with all the multi-billionaires living there because there are no income taxes collected in Washington!

This is the 520 bridge which is one of two floating bridges (the other is the I-90 bridge) in Lake Washington that connects Bellevue to Seattle.

The post Photos of the Day – Chasing the Rainbow at 520 Bridge View Park appeared first on Always Wanderlust.

It was raining on our way home via I-5 South from Anacortes Washington. The clouds somehow gave way to the sun and it’s enough to illuminate a double rainbow over the landscape. I quickly pulled off to the closest exit so I could at least capture the scenery. This the view and what a single shot of the Mavic 2 Pro drone can capture. It was raining like crazy and the drone would swerve and shake, compromising the photos. I took a bunch and this is one of the better ones.

I flew the drone further out and used the vertical panorama feature. It basically captures 9 images across the frame and then automatically stitches them together to form a composite photo that has much greater FOV – as you can see here. It captured the whole rainbow plus the extra surrounding compared to the first photo above.

Here’s another composite using the panorama mode of the DJI Mavic 2 Pro. I flew the drone as far as I can into the rain to capture a few angles. This scene wouldn’t be something I would see in California in early June! Here in the Pacific Northwest, it’s a common thing.

The post Drone Photos of the Day – Rainbow Over Northern Washington appeared first on Always Wanderlust.

Meteora is an unusual rock formation where some Eastern Orthodox Monasteries are built. It’s located in the town of Kalambaka in central Greece. The monastery here is called the Rousanou Monastery, which was founded around the 6th century.