First time in Africa and I’d have to say it was 1) incredible (!) and 2) definitely sensory overload! I will note, though, that Morocco (Northern Africa) is somewhat different – both culturally and for a foreign traveler – from the rest of Africa, or at least that’s what I heard. Morocco felt more like the continent’s European counterpart, with a good amount of tourists and spoken French (after its first language, Arabic). Regardless, I loved this trip and now my bucket list includes places like South Africa, Seychelles, etc.
When I went: late December. Similar to when I was in Bogota, Colombia the year before, mornings and late nights would be cold and require a thicker jacket, but daytime reached up to the 70s (that’s in Fahrenheit).
Where I stayed: the general consensus of where to stay in Morocco is in a riad! A riad is a traditional Moroccan inn, with the rooms located on the outer perimeter of the building. They all face towards the center courtyard area, which is occasionally exposed and open (not when I was there given the winter season).
View from the balcony of my room in the riad
The place where I stayed, Riad Ayadina, was amazing: friendly and helpful staff, beautiful interior, great breakfast, and very comfortable ambiance. Aside from all of this and the royal treatment I received during my stay, only gripe was the location – it is on the outskirts of the medina (to the north) and not that walkable to the central part. I recall walking to the Jamaa El-Fna market one morning, and that took about 35-40 minutes. Going back to the riad at the end of the day, you’d probably want to take a taxi instead. Alternatively, I believe bus is another means of public transport, though I didn’t look into the bus option at the time.
Finally got to check out Palm Springs last weekend!
Here are some highlights and tips:
Palm Springs International Airport = very cool interior decor and the fact that it’s ceiling-less. It has a chill Cali feel for sure. Only downside that I quickly noticed, though, is NO AIRPORT LOUNGES.
Car Rental = due to the small size of this airport, there is no way you’ll miss the car rental area: it is a row of front desks of different rental car companies. You also cannot miss it because everyone will be racing to there after they arrive. This brings me to another important highlight – namely, that if you are planning to visit Joshua Tree National Park, renting a car is a must.
Joshua Tree National Park = aside from going to Coachella, this national park is essentially why one would visit Palm Springs! Most people who visit will start at the west entrance and then head east and come out of the south exit. That is the path I took, but I’m sure you can go the opposite route. What I did: first enjoyed a latte at the hipster cafe called Frontier, then headed over to the nearby Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center. I recommend purchasing the visitor entrance pass here (or at the Cottonwood Visitor Center if you are doing the opposite route). It costs $30, covers everyone in your party in the vehicle, and is good for 7 days.
At Frontier
Coachella Valley
With a Yucca (not a tree, so the park’s name is somewhat of a misnomer)
Thoughts on Joshua Tree National Park?
Particularly intriguing to see the more desert terrain of Cali since when I’m in that state, I’m usually in the more urban parts (SF and LA) or in a beach-y town (San Diego/La Jolla). The roads in the park itself are fairly well maintained and I would say there are plenty of signs pointing you to places of interest to see such that you won’t get lost (you’ll often notice the words “Exhibit Ahead” – sounds so law/lawyer-y, I know). You can pretty much drive for a little bit and then pull over when there is something to see – some parts look cool (Coachella Valley), others not so much. If you are hardcore (so not me), you can do some climbing or camping/glamping (which means spending the night). Otherwise, a good 2-3 hours would be a decent amount of time to drive through and see the park. Just a heads up that you will NOT have cell phone reception in the park (no Google Maps), so I would recommend printing a map beforehand and/or downloading an offline version on your phone. Travelers I’ve talked to also suggest bringing water. I saw some areas in the park with public restrooms so no worries when nature calls – better stay hydrated when in a desert.
A lot of people ask me about what credit cards I use to get all the points and perks, so here’s a rundown and summary of the credit cards I currently have:
CHASE FREEDOM = this is not really a credit card for traveling as there are associated foreign transaction fees, but I do keep this as a “just in case” card. Plus, there is a percentage cash back with certain purchases made.
CHASE SAPPHIRE PREFERRED = this is a nice card in general for anyone that is getting their first credit card (#adulting). Aside from the 60,000/100,000 point bonus (bonus amount depends when you get this, I recall) from spending a certain amount within the first few months, the $95 annual fee is waived for the first year. Moreover, there are no foreign transaction fees and travel- and food-related purchases will get you extra points. You can also transfer Chase points to one of its many airline partners (e.g. United Airlines). Those who want airport lounge access will need to opt for its “superior” counterpart, the CHASE SAPPHIRE RESERVE. Do note that the annual fee for this one is $450 (NOT waived the first year), so it ain’t cheap. Cardholders will note that the $300 travel credit make it worthwhile, though. However, you won’t need the RESERVE if you have the American Express Platinum like me (see below).
AMERICAN EXPRESS PLATINUM = this is one of the BEST travel credit cards in my opinion as it gets you access to the Priority Pass lounges, a network of airport lounges located around the world independent of airline companies, as well as access to the bougie Centurion Lounges (AND Delta Sky Club lounges when you fly with Delta). The Priority Pass lounges can be a hit or miss depending on which one (I’m a fan of the “library” lounge in Nice, France), but I’ve had pretty good luck with the Centurion Lounges (though not all are created equal and some, such as the one at SFO, are better than others). I’ll eventually publish a post on the different airport lounges I’ve patronized, but all in all this is an excellent credit card to have despite the hefty $550 annual fee. I will say that the Amex Platinum includes other wonderful perks besides airport lounge access, such as $50 SAKS Fifth Avenue credit every 6 months, $15 Uber monthly credits, free TSA Pre-Check/Global Entry (this is how I got my Global Entry for free), and $200 of airline credit for incidentals, so in the end you will get your money’s worth. Only caveat with an Amex – as I’m sure a lot of you are aware – is that many foreign countries do not accept it (hint: the ‘American’ in ‘American Express’) so it is beneficial to pair this with a Chase credit card (Visa) like I have.
Santorini, Greece is BY FAR one of my favorite places in the world because of its picturesque views and iconic white buildings with blue domes – the country itself (Greece) is also one I would visit again, which is quite a bold statement considering that I do not usually repeat countries (gotta visit them all #YOLO). Santorini is just one of many Greek islands, and each one of them has its own unique character (I’m thinking of Mykonos, Ios, Crete, etc.).
When I went: early June 2017 – a good time to go during the year as it is not overly crowded with tourists and the weather is relatively NOT as hot as later in the summer (though I did surprisingly get sunburned and it was not pretty…)
Nightview of Santorini
Where I stayed: Kamari – this is a beachtown in the southeastern side of Santorini. It is not as bougie as the northern-located Oia (pronounced ‘ee-ah’) or as central as Thira/Fira, but it definitely has its own charm and is a little bit more hidden than those 2 aforementioned places. My Airbnb felt more like a hotel than an actual Airbnb given that there was cleaning service. The owner who runs the Airbnb also operates a non-profit that helps with the adoption of stray animals, so you’ll see dogs and cats lounging in the area.
To get to Thira/Fira and Oia from Kamari, your best bet is taking the public bus. If you want to go to Oia (or pretty much any area that is NOT Thira/Fira), you have to transfer to another bus at Thira/Fira – essentially Thira/Fira is like the central hub that branches out with the bus routes. A bus stop in Santorini looks like the following:
Foreigners waiting for the bus in Santorini
What to do: rent an ATV – this was an awesome experience and a great way to explore the island! I rented a 50cc ATV for about half a day and explored the southern part of Santorini. To be quite honest, I’m not sure how ATV-friendly the northern part of the island is (starting from Thira/Fira and going north), but the roads were perfect for traveling from Kamari and ending at the southwestern tip where the lighthouse is. Do note that due to the strength of the ATV’s engine (or more like lack thereof), you won’t be going Fast and the Furious speeds and instead will have to pull over to the side when an actual automobile appears behind you to let them pass.
What to do: outdoor movie in Kamari – a nice break from the whatever you were doing in Santorini to catch a movie at Open Air Cinema Kamari. I can’t for the life of me remember what movie was playing when I was there, though, but it was in English (American movie) with Greek subtitles.
What to do: hike from Thira/Fira to Oia – there is a clear (ish) hiking trail that will take you alongside the west coast of the island from the capital to Oia. I would say this trek will take you approximately 3 hours depending on whether you stop to take a break and/or pictures. I ended up doing this hike once I arrived in Santorini and because this was not planned AT ALL, I walked the whole path in flip flops…crazy, I know, because I am 🙂
Signs that point to the direction of Oia
What to do: wine tasting at Santo Wines Winery in Pyrgos – this is a must-do when you are in Greece! I recall making a reservation before I went considering it was summertime, but you may not have to if you go during off-season (e.g. winter). The ‘Santo Flight 4’ that I selected costs 55 Euros($63.56 USD) for a 18-sampler flight – yes, 18!
For how to properly down this flight: you start with the whites, then do the rose, and finally finish off with the reds. You’ll get some snacks to munch on so you aren’t consuming on an empty stomach. Nevertheless, this was admittedly a lot of wine, and I’m not sure how I was able to walk down the stairs of the winery with no issues.
This was probably one of my BEST trips this year: perfect weather, clean city, completely cashless (thought I would have to get exchange some Swedish currency, but everywhere I went I could just pay via credit card by tapping my phone), and super walkable streets.
Here are some recommended places to visit if you are planning a trip to Stockholm:
Monteliusvagen = for sunrise (see pic above) – there is some upward walking you’ll have to do but not too bad;
Stockholm City Hall = for amazing views of the city – the city hall closes in the evening so no sunset unfortunately;
ABBA Museum = if you’re a fan, you’ll enjoy this fun interactive museum that includes opportunities to be in your own music video;
Scandic Continental = great rooftop bar to chill where the locals go – this place gave me the first glimpse of how expensive alcohol can be (10 Euros for a pint of beer!);
IKEA = floors of showcases and a cafeteria if you are wanting to enjoy a meal there;
Ice Bar = visit a bar made entirely of ice and drink out of an ice cup!
At IKEA
Where I stayed: Scandic Klara
While the only downside of Scandic Klara is that the size of the room is compact with a very box-y feel (I believe this is the norm for Stockholm though), this hotel is SUPERB in every other way. Central location in downtown, reasonably priced, and excellent selection of warm and cold breakfast foods (e.g. from multiple types of bread to the famous fermented fish) – I would stay here if/when I visit Stockholm again!
I remember that as one of the Amex perks. Good to know you enjoyed using it – I’ll check it…
Check out fine hotel & resorts with amex. We’ve enjoyed it, especially when traveling in Asia.
Came to this former British colony made up of 700+ islands for my birthday! This was my second time to the Caribbean (the first being the DR) and both times I stayed at an all-inclusive resort. So here are some tips for those of you thinking of going to an all-inclusive resort:
Located on Paradise Island next to the bougie Atlantis resort, Warwick Paradise Island – Bahamas is about a 30-minute+ car ride from Nassau International Airport. Note that taxi drivers are required to charge fares according to industry standards, so the fare amount should not vary regardless which taxi car you hop into. I would say it’s $40-$45USD (exclusive of gratuity) for a one-way ride from the airport. You CAN arrange your own private shuttle from the airport, but I don’t believe the fare price should vary that much from a taxi ride.
Price:
Per night, this calculates to be about $150 USD – and yes, this includes all meals, drinks, lodging, and some entertainment on the premises (exclusive of excursions that you may opt to sign up for). You would also want to bring some $1 bills to tip your servers/bartenders/staff, which, while not required, is certainly appreciated.
THE GOOD
Warwick is a nice looking resort that comes with 2 bars, a handful (ish) of restaurants, and an Instagram-worthy harbor area. I especially enjoyed Edgewater Grill, the waterfront restaurant, with my delish steak meal and the view of the harbor in the evening. For Edgewater Grill and a couple of the other more upscale restaurants at the resort, you’ll need to make a reservation at the concierge area beforehand. I would note that this time when I went was a few months post-hurricane, so the crowds were drastically reduced and getting a reservation was a non-issue (I would note for the record that the hurricane everyone was freaking out about only affected a few of the Bahamian islands; the Bahamian government needs tourists to visit since the island nation relies heavily on its tourism industry).
The resort has an elaborate pool area with a nearby beach area. You can borrow one of the large beach towels in exchange for your room number. The Hog Bar is the bar by the poolside and you can either hang at the counter and chat with other guests (or not) or a server can grab a drink for you while you spread out on a poolside chair.
One of the best things about this resort is HANDS DOWN the staff: incredibly friendly and helpful, as well as always making sure I was having a good time! They also have this very down-to-earth demeanor to them along with a great sense of humor – makes sense since life in the Caribbean is just slower and more chill than the hustle and bustle in a large U.S. city.
Finally, while Warwick is an adults-only resort (no screaming kids!), it is by the famous Atlantis resort. Within reasonable walking distance, you can visit certain parts of Atlantis for free as a Warwick guest – namely, the casino and shopping area.
THE MEH
I’ve only had about 3 all-inclusive resort experiences, so my critique of Warwick is based on the other 2 all-inclusive resorts I’ve stayed at. While Warwick does cover its bases with bars, restaurants, a pool, and some entertainment in the form of Foosball, table tennis, and a giant-sized chess board, I do wish there was more entertainment available on the premises. When I stayed in the DR last year, the resort I was at had an on-premises golf course (I believe this costs extra to use), casino, nightclub, bowling alley, and MULTIPLE bars. The resort is also so spacious that there is a shuttle available that takes you from one part to the other. More notably, however, are the amount of water activities at my disposal, including but not limited to paddle boarding, snorkeling, and windsurfing. Warwick is a great place to unwind and chill, but do not expect water sports/activities while you are there.
While dinner at Warwick rotates with one of their nicer onsite restaurants, breakfast and lunch is buffet style at the main restaurant. There was a decent variety of foods – both warm and cold dishes – but you will eventually notice the spread is more or less the same each day. That brings me to another point about all-inclusive resorts in general: I don’t believe I could stay at one for more than 4-5 days at a time, especially when food selection does not rotate as often as I’d like or when the aquatic entertainment is lacking. In any event, you know your own self more than I do, so just a heads up if you plan on staying at an all-inclusive resort.
I remember that as one of the Amex perks. Good to know you enjoyed using it – I’ll check it…
Check out fine hotel & resorts with amex. We’ve enjoyed it, especially when traveling in Asia.
I remember that as one of the Amex perks. Good to know you enjoyed using it – I’ll check it…