Kaş: Turkey’s Mediterranean Playground
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The stylish, whitewashed beach towns of the Greek Islands are world-renowned as playgrounds of the tanned über-hip Euro-riche, but somewhat less-well known (to North Americans at least) are the sun-baked shores of Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. Equally as hip and just as starkly beautiful as their Greek cousins, towns like Antalya and Bodrum attract masses of sun worshipping revelers, where they tan in uncomfortable speedos and lounge at cushion-strewn bars to Turkish electro-chillout soundtracks.
One...
February 5th, 2009 | Brendan | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: beach, City Review, drinking, eating, Kas, turkey
Artisan Chocolate vol. 2: Bariloche
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As if Bariloche’s breathtaking scenery and plentiful brewpubs weren’t enough to make it a veritable heaven on earth, there’s always the chocolate.
Full disclosure: I don’t like chocolate. But despite the fact that that makes me Satan’s first cousin in many people’s books, I can certainly appreciate the passion so many have to the black stuff. Plus the ecstatic, crazed look in my girlfriend’s eyes looked vaguely familiar—kind of like my face when I discovered Bariloche’s...
October 4th, 2008 | Brendan | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: argentina, Bariloche, chocolate, City Review, eating
Bariloche, Argentina – Land of Chocolate and Beer
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Variously touted as the Aspen/Jackson Hole/Whistler of South America, the scenic town of Bariloche is the kind of place you never forget. Surrounded by jagged, snow-capped mountains, blanketed in giant pine forests and sitting on the edge of massive Lake Nahuel Huapi, Bariloche’s natural draws are instantly obvious—the place is absolutely stunning. Bariloche is many a traveller’s first taste of Patagonia, and it certainly makes an impression.
One thing that comes as a surprise to many is the...
September 21st, 2008 | Brendan | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: argentina, Bariloche, City Review
Cafayate, Argentina
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Head south from Salta and you enter a twilight zone of ochre rock eroded into crazy shapes that close into tight canyons, opening out dramatically into vistas carpeted with green. The drive to Cafayate through the Quebrada de las Conchas takes the better part of a morning, and is pretty damned winding—if you are prone to carsickness then take it slow, or take something to make the bus stop spinning!
Organised tours tend to focus on the rock formations, which, don’t get me wrong, are cool. However,...
July 10th, 2008 | Brendan | Read More | Comments: 1Filed under: argentina, Cafayate, City Review, Quebrada de las Conchas, Torrontes
Salta, Argentina
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If you’re mostly familiar with the Andean side of South America, one can be forgiven for thinking you’ve left the continent when you’re in BA. An easy reminder of where you really are is to head up to the northern city of Salta, the gateway to Argentina’s most Incan influenced region. Bordering on Bolivia to the north, the province of Salta has familiar sights for the Peruvian or Bolivian traveller: indigena towns, coca leaf-chewing or tea, and markets overflowing with tipico textiles.
The...
July 7th, 2008 | Brendan | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: argentina, City Review, Humahuaca, Salta
Destination: Buenos Aires
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This overview is somewhat tardy—I meant to put in a summary of Buenos Aires as a city, but was so intimidated that I ended up getting excited enough that I posted a review already.
I should come clean right at the beginning: I love Buenos Aires. For some time I have wanted to move here. SO the truth is, I just can’t find the right words to explain in a quick entry exactly why I love BA. It certainly could be the food—repeatedly, almost every day, I have a meal I am passionate about (as long...
June 28th, 2008 | Brendan | Read More | Comments: 3Filed under: argentina, Buenos Aires, City Review
La Cumbre, Cordoba, Argentina
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Argentineans often sing the praises of the university city of Córdoba, but what they rarely tell you is that the real pleasures of Cordoba lie not within the city itself, but in the rolling hills and lakes of the surrounding countryside.
One gem we might not have found had it not been for an Argentinean friend with family ties there was the small town of La Cumbre. 100 km north of Cordoba, La Cumbre is a laid back town of B&B’s, in the Punilla valley (a popular tourist route known for its...
June 4th, 2008 | Brendan | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: argentina, Camino de los Artesanos, City Review, Cordoba, drinking, eating, La Cumbre
Colonia, Uruguay
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Just a few hours’ bus from Montevideo or short speed ferry from Buenos Aires, the Uruguayan UNESCO World Heritage town of Colonia del Sacramento lives in a tranquil time warp. A quiet town of cafés and cobblestone streets, crumbling ramparts and a siesta that seems to encompass most of the day, Colonia is a relaxing foil to the bustle and noise of the two nearby capital cities. A photographer’s dream, the town’s World Heritage status has led to an impeccable restoration and maintenance that...
May 15th, 2008 | Brendan | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: City Review, Colonia, uruguay
Iguassu Falls!
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Not much to say about Iguassu (or Iguaçu) other than go if you can.
There isn’t much to recommend the cities on any side of the triple border between Brazil, Arentina and Paraguay, except that they are close to one of the greatest falls in the world.
My only advice is to make sure you have at least 2 full days so as to have time to spend a day on each side of the falls–the Brazilian side offers the best overalll panoramic view, while the Argentinian side is much more intimate, with...
May 9th, 2008 | Brendan | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: adventure, argentina, Brazil, City Review, Iguassu Falls, nature
Paraty, world heritage town and source of excellent fire water
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The impeccably restored colonial town of Paraty (pah-rah-chee), several hours’ drive south of Rio, is well worth a few days’ visit. The end of the Royal Road that carried the riches of Brazil’s mines to the coast, Paraty was stuck in a kind of time warp until only recently, owing to the fact that the modern coastal highway bypassed the town.
Today it is a tasteful colonial (and UNESCO World Heritage) town in the vein of Antigua, Guatemala or San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, attracting mostly...
May 6th, 2008 | Brendan | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: Brazil, City Review, Paraty
Placencia, Belize
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If you like Caye Caulker, you’ll definitely like Placencia.
Sitting at the end of a long, narrow strip of sand in southern Belize, Placencia is far enough out of the way that it requires an effort to get to. (If you don’t have a ton of time, check out the Flying Belize post, soon to be up after this)
Perhaps this explains why so many people who do make it tend to stick around longer than they expected. Like 10 years longer.
Blessed with beautiful beaches and affordable accommodation, Placencia...
March 20th, 2008 | Brendan | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: Belize, Catamaran, City Review, Placencia
Chillin in Belize V.1: Caye Caulker
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Caye Caulker, Belize
How fast can you go on an island where the only vehicles are golf carts? The biggest event you’ll find on Caye Caulker is watching the sunset every evening from the beach bar at the end of the island.
One great thing about Caye Caulker is its easy access from Belize City. From the main pier regular speedboats leave for Caulker, taking about 45 minutes, about USD$10 each way. Be aware that these are usually open air boats so brig whatever sunscreen you need for the trip or...
March 17th, 2008 | Brendan | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: Belize, Caye Caulker, City Review
Barefoot and Belikin – Chillin in Belize
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Busy, busy, busy…why is everyone always trying to make you DO stuff? Sometimes the best thing to do is nothing at all, and some places seem perfectly designed for…well, nothing. Try Being rather than being busy, and you might even see another side of where you are—or of yourself.
Some places become famous for the sole reason that they are so laid back that people tend to go…and forget to leave. These kinds of places collect their own genre of traveller-expat, one that ranges from escapist...
March 17th, 2008 | Brendan | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: Belize, City Review
Dominical, Costa Rica
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So my new favourite town in Costa Rica is Dominical, about halfway between Manuel Antonio/Quepos and the Osa Peninsula. It has killer surfing—but so do many places in Costa Rica. The reason I like it so much is more about atmosphere—there is a palpable sense of civic pride, the town is walkable, there’s a good balance of restaurants, bars and stuff to do… the beach is long and beautiful – and uncrowded. Best of all, there is a complete absence of the brutal attitude that seems standard...
February 20th, 2008 | Brendan | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: City Review, Costa Rica, Dominical
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