Category: Destinations

Travel Tips for Amsterdam

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Amsterdam is a Euro-visit mainstay, and with summer approaching, we know it appears in many a traveler’s plan. Here are a few tips to make the most of your stay in this romantic, historic, artistic, and beautiful city.

Anne Frank House

If you’re planning on visiting the Anne Frank Huis, buy tickets in advance online or  try to get to the ticket booth when it opens in the morning. I waited in line for hours in the rain so trust me on this one! It was impactful to see what I had read about in The Diary of Anne Frank as an adolescent when I was about the same age as Anne. Visiting the Secret Annex and seeing how the Franks had to live in order to hide from the Nazis made it all very real. I remember acting out a play version of the diary in middle school, so visiting the house that serves as the setting of the true story was a must-see on my list.

Amsterdam- www.afriendafar.com #amsterdam #thenetherlands

“I want to see the world and do all kinds of exciting things.” Anne Frank

Biking

Amsterdam- www.afriendafar.com #amsterdam #thenetherlands

Cycling paths are everywhere in Amsterdam, and bikes are truly a part of the city’s  charm. If you want to explore more of the city than being on foot will allow, rent a bike and become part of the Dutch biking culture. Wander off from the main canals to explore lesser visited parts of town. If you’re an early bird or suffering from jet lag, then make sure you go for a morning ride or walk to see the city while it’s still waking up.

Canal Boat Tour

Amsterdam- www.afriendafar.com #amsterdam #thenetherlands

A fabulous way to see more of the city is to take a popular canal boat tour. The offerings from most of the boat tour companies are very similar unless you’re looking for something a little nicer. Canal offers a hop on, hop off tour if you want to combine the boat tour with sightseeing. Also, the city is charming at night!

Van Gogh Museum

Amsterdam- www.afriendafar.com #amsterdam #thenetherlands

The Van Gogh Museum was another must-see sight for me. Highlights included seeing Sunflowers, The Bedroom, and some of Van Gogh’s self portraits. I bought my ticket ahead of time at the hostel I stayed in, but you can also order tickets online . If you’re going to multiple museums and plan to use public transportation, consider getting the I amsterdam City Card. [Note that it does not include admission to the Anne Frank House.]

HAARLEM DAY TRIP

Amsterdam- www.afriendafar.com #amsterdam #thenetherlands

If you have multiple days in Amsterdam and wanted to see a smaller town, Haarlem makes an easy, fun day trip. Trains frequently run between Amsterdam Centraal Station and Haarlem. I enjoyed walking around Haarlem and exploring side streets that took me to residential areas, the main square with the church Grote Kerk, canals, and seeing their windmill.

Inspiration

Amsterdam- www.afriendafar.com #amsterdam #thenetherlands

If you need some media to accompany your trip, check out the Imagine Dragon’s song “Just By the Side of Amsterdam.” Also books worth reading include Anne Frank, Diary of a Young Girl (of course), The Fault in our Stars (this one made me lose it on the plane to Amsterdam), and The Hiding Place.

Meagan Martz at A Friend Afar

Meagan grew up in the North Georgia Mountains and spent her first trip abroad in Italy. She’s been traveling all over the world ever since, learning Spanish, Japanese, and Thai. She travels for the food, the culture, and the history.

http://www.AFriendAfar.com

What to Do on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula

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Spring is here. Summer’s on the way, and Stephanie has been doing an amazing job of introducing us to Cuba. While we’re on the subject of exciting summer vacation destinations, here’s a very different one to put on your bucket list:

Alaska

It’s a place that holds a very special place in my heart and my heritage. My great-grandparents moved there long ago while they were working for the U.S. State Department, back when it was still just a territory. My grandparents still live there for part of the year, and it’s the setting for most of the family stories I’ve heard my whole life.

If you’re planning your summer vacation, and you’re looking for something a little different, I can’t recommend Alaska enough. I’ve convinced numerous friends to visit. Some have cruised, some have explored on land, and one time my family and I camped all over the state. There is so much to see, but I want to tell you about my favorite region: the Kenai Peninsula.

Lake Kenai

Fireweed blooms along Kenai Lake in the Chugach National Forest.

First of all, you should know this important detail about me: while I live for the water and the wind in my hair, I am an advocate of spending as much time on land in Alaska as possible. Alaskan cruises are immensely popular, and cruise lines have dozens of opportunities for on-shore excursions, and you should take full advantage of those! My best experiences and my most intimate explorations have taken place on land. I love kayaking, whale-watching tours, and rafting, but having to stop the car for a grizzly bear to cross the street, climbing rocky cliffs for a closer view of dall sheep, watching moose wander through the yard, and watching puffins, sea otters, and bald eagles mosey around the docks have been my most intimate wildlife encounters. If you’re planning on taking a cruise, you’re going to have a wonderful time; just make sure to spend as much time as you can on smaller boats and on-shore excursions. There’s nothing like walking along the coast during low tide and finding all of the brightly-colored starfish that you’d expect to see in the tropics. Don’t skip the whale-watching tour, though. Never skip the whale-watching tour.

Pod of Orcas in Resurrection Bay

Pod of Orcas in Resurrection Bay

Now that we’re better acquainted, let me tell you about my favorite place: Seward. My grandparents have a home just north of Seward in the appropriately named town of Moose Pass. Seward is not to be missed. In fact, if you’re flying into Anchorage, you can take the iconic Alaskan Railroad to get there. It’s a beautiful ride along Turnagain Arm and through the Chugach mountain range.

There is something truly magical about places where the tallest mountains jut straight out from the sea. It’s a different world than most of us are used to, and it reminds us of what a tiny space we take up in this world. Better than that, it reminds us of how much we have yet to explore!

Seward Marina

It may be the Land of the Midnight Sun in the summer, but that doesn’t make dawn on the water any less enchanting.

Whale-Watching Tours

The marina in Seward is my family’s favorite place to begin a day on the water. Resurrection Bay, with its snow-capped peaks, glaciers, and comparatively calm waters is the perfect place to watch bald eagles nest and a raft of sea otters float past. I am particularly a fan of the Kenai Fjords tour company. Spend a half or full day on their boats and venture out of Resurrection Bay into the deeper, rougher waters of the Gulf of Alaska to spot orcas and humpback whales. Venturing deeper into the fjords allows for up close views of calving glaciers, seals on tiny icebergs, and large colonies of steller sea lions and bright arctic puffins on rocky crags.

Alaska SeaLife Center

Alaska SeaLife Center

Is she seriously telling us to go inside to an aquarium when we could be outside? Why, yes. I am. The Alaska SeaLife Center is not only an aquarium, but also a major ocean wildlife research, rescue and rehabilitation center. Their exhibits are very, very well designed and extremely educational. Their wildlife are all creatures that you’ll see in the area, including many that you won’t realize are on the bottom of the sea. They have small tidal pools filled with coral, sea urchins, and other bottom-dwellers that you can touch.

If you like a little extra education on your vacation, and especially if you’re concerned about Alaska’s environment and wildlife, take a behind the scenes tour. You’ll get to see the animals that are currently in rehabilitation as well as the labs where scientists are watching shorebirds and sea lions via cameras on rugged islands. They’ll explain their work to you, and you’ll leave with a greater understanding of your surroundings and maybe even a new calling!

Exit Glacier

Exit Glacier

Exit Glacier

It wouldn’t be a trip to Alaska without glaciers and a nice hike. Whether you’re an experienced hiker ready for bears or relatively new to the outdoors scene, this is a great, short hike. Stop by the visitor’s center for a little information on the area, and then head through the woods, over the streams, and past the dark grey glacial plain to the edge of the brilliantly blue Exit Glacier. Exit Glacier is part of the Harding Icefield in the Kenai Fjords National Park, and more experienced hikers will really enjoy the 8.2 mile trail that travels further into the Icefield.

Warm up with some local flavor!

There’s one last little spot that I want to highlight in Seward, and that’s my favorite place to warm up: Resurrect Art Coffee House and Art Gallery. It’s located in a beautiful church that was built in 1916 and converted to a coffee shop in 1993. It’s a cozy and cheerful place to relax with a great drink and snack. They also showcase some great local art, if you’re looking for a souvenir.

There is so much to see and do in Alaska! Thank you for dropping by to check out a few of my favorite places on the Kenai Peninsula. I’ll leave you with these adorable sea otters. If the pictures above didn’t put Alaska on your bucket list, I bet these whiskered faces will!

Sea Otters

Sea Otters!

 

This post is in memory of my father, Mark, who passed his love for Alaska and adventure on to his family.

Meagan Martz at A Friend Afar

Meagan grew up in the North Georgia Mountains and spent her first trip abroad in Italy. She’s been traveling all over the world ever since, learning Spanish, Japanese, and Thai. She travels for the food, the culture, and the history.

http://www.AFriendAfar.com

What to Eat and Drink in Cuba

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One of my favorite ways to experience a new culture is by sipping and eating the local way. I definitely plan trips around what restaurants come highly recommended and try to schedule in plenty of time to sit and relax during or after busy day of sightseeing over a delicious plate of food and a cold drink. My feet and stomach are extremely happy about this fact! Plus, it’s nice to have time to process all that you’re seeing and doing and discuss it with fellow travelers to get their insights. Check out my suggestions on what to eat and drink in Cuba!

Drinks

Cuban Cocktail

Since the national drink of Cuba is the mojito, I had plenty of opportunities to taste test the minty, limey cocktail and figure out which ones I preferred. My favorite mojito of the trip was served at the Hotel Del Tejadillo where we stayed that I mentioned in my last post about Cuba. I’m convinced the secret to a great mojito is using fresh mint and high-quality white rum. Havana Club is one of the most popular brands of rum in Cuba and was an ingredient in most of the mojitos I tried. Popular waterholes around town include La Bodeguita del Medio (made famous by Hemingway proclaiming their mojitos to be the best) , El Floridita for daquiris, and the historic Sloppy Joe’s Bar for their cocktail. I also had some stellar piña coladas at the beach!

Havana Food Experiences

Al Fresco Dining at Doña Eutemia

Hands down my favorite dining experience in Havana was at one of Lonely Planet’s top choice restaurants, Doña Eutemia, near the Catedral in Habana Vieja. The restaurant is tucked in a corner of an alley filled with al fresco dining options. I highly recommend making reservations since we showed up one night to eat but couldn’t get a table so went ahead and booked for the next night. I’m so glad we did because the ropa vieja, made with shredded lamb instead of traditional beef, was delicious and one of the best meals I had in Cuba! The service was excellent and an English menu option is offered. The prices were very reasonable as well. Ask for an outside table if the weather’s nice!

El Abije

The state-owned El Aljibe offers a set menu of roast chicken and all you can eat rice, beans, salad and bread. I was most impressed by the efficient service we received. I also love trying street food when I travel, and I enjoyed the churros, peanuts served in a cone, and fresh coconuts. And of course don’t forget to try flan for dessert!

Lobster!

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The best meal I ate in Cuba was the lobster at El Mojito in Varadero. It’s a family-owned restaurant with a great facility and fun ambiance with the band playing music for you while you eat. I looked up reviews on Tripadvisor after the fact since this was a meal that was included as part of trip and some reviewers felt that the menu is overpriced. I thought the lobster was superb, and compared to what we pay for seafood in the US, I imagine it’s a deal.

If you’re planning a trip to Cuba soon, let me know if you have any questions. This post is part of a four part series on Cuba. Check out the next post about hopping finds in Cuba.

Meagan Martz at A Friend Afar

Meagan grew up in the North Georgia Mountains and spent her first trip abroad in Italy. She’s been traveling all over the world ever since, learning Spanish, Japanese, and Thai. She travels for the food, the culture, and the history.

http://www.AFriendAfar.com

Highlights of Havana

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I had the amazing opportunity to go to Cuba as part of a week-long study abroad. Our first four nights were spent in Havana and the last two in the beach resort town of Varadero. While some of the travel restrictions for Americans to go to Cuba have been lifted, your reason for travel must fall within one of twelve categories, including educational, journalistic, or humanitarian activities. Americans cannot travel to Cuba only as tourists quite yet, but changes are coming, and the Cubans I met are excited about the normalizing relationship between their country and the US. I saw and learned so much in my three full days of Havana, but here are a few ideas of what to see and do in this beautiful, unique city. Check out my Havana Google map for all the sites that make up my highlights of Havana!

Highlights of Havana www.afriendafar.com #cuba #havana

Plazas of Habana Vieja

Plaza de la Catedral- www.afriendafar.com #havana #cuba #habana

The hotel we stayed at, Hotel del Tejadillo, was right around the corner from the Plaza de Catedral, the very first plaza I saw in Habana Vieja (Old Havana). The Catedral de la Habana dominates the square and has a Baroque facade with two towers, with the right one wider than the left. One night the church doors were open for a free concert, so I got to go inside for a look around. I love sitting in old cathedrals and marveling at their beauty.

Colonial Mansion- Plaza Vieja www.afriendafar.com #havana #cuba #habana

Plaza Vieja is not actually the oldest plaza in Havana, but most of the buildings around it are wonderfully restored. One of my favorite buildings we saw on the trip was located in this plaza. Plaza de Armas, the actual oldest plaza, is where the city of Havana was established in 1519 and is surrounded by buildings included El Templete, which marks the foundation of Havana, the impressive fortress Castillo de la Real Fuerza to the north, and the Museo de la Ciudad.

Wandering down Calles

Edificio Bacardi www.afriendafar.com #havana #cuba

One of the best ways to get to know a city is to do lots of walking, and Havana is a perfect city for meandering down streets and getting lost. Obispo is a crowded, pedestrian-only street that cuts from Plaza de Armas to Parque Central. You can see the classy 1920 Hotel Ambos Mundos where Ernest Hemingway stayed for a decade. Strolling farther along Obispo there’s an old pharmacy with porcelain medicine jars, shops and street art. On the other end of Obispo is the Art Deco-style Edificio Bacardi building with their bat symbol adorning the top of the building.

Calle Mercaderes www.afriendafar.com #havana #cuba

Calle Mercaderes was my favorite street because of the cobblestones and historic buildings. The Mural de Mercaderes depicts a multitude of Cuban historical figures such as politicians and artists. There are tons of museums, boutiques, hotels, cafes, and galleries to explore along Mercaderes and plenty of opportunities to interact with locals.

Paseo de Martí www.afriendafar.com #cuba #havana

Paseo de Martí is a fantastic street to stroll down. We started near the Capitolio, which may look familiar to you since it’s modeled after the DC Capitol. You pass many colorful buildings, famous vintage cars of Cuba, the beautifully ornate Gran Teatro, and Parque Central. There’s a bunch of restoration work and construction going on in Havana right now, which is hopeful to see. Past Parque Central, Paseo del Prado is a wide walkway for pedestrians with trees on both sides. It was here we heard loud car horns and saw a bride riding in an old, red & white convertible to the church for her wedding. Seeing little cultural moments like this is always delightful!

Museums & Churches

Museum of the Revolution www.afriendafar.com #havana #cuba

The Museo de la Revolución is housed in the former presidential palace of General Batista with its impressive dome and pretty hall of mirrors. There is an overwhelming wealth of information about the Revolution in the museum. As an American, reading about history from a Cuban perspective is very different than what we have been taught,and the Wall of Cretins gives a little insight into their thoughts on some of our political figures. Outside in the garden, airplanes and vehicles used in the Bay of Pigs invasion are on display.

Regla www.afriendafar.com #havana #cuba

We took a ferry with locals across the canal from Old Havana to Regla to visit the church and museum there. On Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de Regla‘s main altar is a black Madonna that is used in both Catholicism and the Afro-Cuba religion Santería. The church was surprisingly crowded for a mid-morning visit during the week. It was fascinating to learn more about the Santería religion at the Museo Municipal de Regla. Similar to saints in Catholicism, orishas form the basis of the religion and act as intermediaries between humans and the principal god, and altars are decorated with the associated color and items.

Plaza Vieja www.afriendafar.com #cuba #havana

By the end of the trip, I was already planning what I would see my next time in Cuba because there’s always more to see! Plus, I think it would be fascinating to return after a while and see what changes have happened. There’s still more to share about Cuba, and coming soon are posts on shopping and food & drink. Also check out my earlier post Cuba Packing List if you missed it!

This post is part of a four part series on Cuba. Check out the next post, Good Eats & Drinks in Cuba.

Meagan Martz at A Friend Afar

Meagan grew up in the North Georgia Mountains and spent her first trip abroad in Italy. She’s been traveling all over the world ever since, learning Spanish, Japanese, and Thai. She travels for the food, the culture, and the history.

http://www.AFriendAfar.com

Cuba Packing List

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- www.afriendafar.com #cuba #packinglist

When I went on a week-long educational trip to Cuba, I made a packing list so I wouldn’t forget anything important. Here’s a look at what was inside my carry-on size roller board suitcase and my Baggu backpack for my Cuba packing list:

Top Row: BAGGU Canvas Backpack – Sailor Stripe | Keds White Canvas| Jersey Tank Dress
Middle Row: Noir Maillot from RedDollySwimwear | BAGGU Elephant Jade Standard | Art Deco Notebook
Bottom Row: Eyewitness Travel Top 10 Cuba | Havana StreetSmart Map |  Vintage Style Camera Strap

Wardrobe

Jeans, graphic tee, sweater, and Keds to wear on the plane on the way to Cuba
3 skirts, 3 solid tees, 3 print tops to mix and match, and 2 tanks
1 solid strapless dress that doubles as a skirt (an amazing J.Crew item from a few years ago)
4 dresses (2 solid, 2 prints)
4 pair of sandals including shower shoes
Another sweater for meetings in air-conditioned rooms
Minimal jewelry (left the wedding ring at home)
Vintage style swimsuit from Red Dolly Swimwear
Loads of cotton undies which is critical in the heat and humidity
Sleepwear

Other Essentials

Restocked medicine bag
Toiletries
Extra toothbrushes and toothpaste to leave for hotel staff since these items are difficult to find in Cuba
SPF50 sunscreen
Baggu shopping bag for souvenir shopping and doubled as a beach bag
Old Blackberry that I used with a temporary Cubacel SIM card bought in Havana
Journal
Sleep mask and earplugs (I don’t travel anywhere without them!)
Hankie
Travel poncho
Washcloth

Backpack Carry-on

Passport, copy of passport, important documents
Camera bag with camera and new fun strap
Top 10 Cuba guidebook and Havana StreetSmart® map
Cold, hard cash since Americans can’t yet use ATMs in Cuba
Scarf for the chilly plane
Cross-body purse with wallet, lip gloss with SPF, hand sanitizer, hankie, sunglasses, and the usual


This post is part of a four part series on Cuba. Check out the next post, Highlights of Havana.

{This is not a sponsored post. There are items I’ve bought and thought you might want for your next tropical city/beach vacation!}

Meagan Martz at A Friend Afar

Meagan grew up in the North Georgia Mountains and spent her first trip abroad in Italy. She’s been traveling all over the world ever since, learning Spanish, Japanese, and Thai. She travels for the food, the culture, and the history.

http://www.AFriendAfar.com

Camping Out West in the US

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TOP 5 NATIONAL PARKS FOR CAMPING OUT WEST

I grew up camping with my family and enjoy being in the great outdoors, hiking, viewing wildlife, and stargazing. I have a National Parks of the West guide on my bookshelf that I peruse often for inspiration. If you’re planning your next adventure, don’t miss these top 5 National Parks for camping out west!

Camping Out West

Grand Teton

Grand Teton

I loved that everywhere you go in Grand Teton National Park you see the Tetons mountain range. Our first night we stayed at the Gros Venture campground, which does not accept reservations, but there were plenty of sites still available even though we arrived late.  We also stayed at Jenny Lake and woke up early for the breakfast boat tour to Elk Island from the Colter Bay Village Marina, which should not be missed. Camping when you fly to your destination presents a unique challenge, but when one in our party lost their luggage, we found out the hard way that sleeping bags are available for rent at some of the campgrounds.

Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is one of the most popular parks in the US and is pretty darn fantastic. I will forever remember a comment by a British woman in the bathroom in one of the campgrounds as we were getting ready. She said that if she was American she’d never leave the US because of all the natural beauty there is to see. It has stuck with me because it reminds me to balance my desire to see the world with taking advantage of seeing my own country. I’ve stayed at Grant Village, Mammoth, Canyon and Bridge Bay campgrounds but Mammoth stands out because the elk graze near the sites. Bridge Bay was also a favorite because of its proximity to Yellowstone Lake. Beware of the bears and do bring bear spray!

Zion

Zion National Park

Zion National Park was one of my top Utah parks to visit. We stayed at the South Campground near the entrance to the park.  There are a few cottonwood trees in some sites but it is in the desert.  One of the most famous hikes in the park is The Narrows, where you’re hiking on a riverbed with the canyon walls on both sides of you.  It’s pretty spectacular and worthwhile even if you can only do a section of it.  Walking sticks and shoes for hiking in the water are available for rent at the general store near the visitor’s center.  If you want a challenge hike and you like heights, don’t miss Angel’s Landing Trail which includes the Walter’s Wiggles switchbacks.

Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon

Hoodoos, the limestone formations in Bryce Canyon, are majestic and make for a unique, fun hiking experience a Navajo/Queen’s Garden Loop. The 18 mile scenic drive is perfect if you are short on time but want to see all that the park has to offer. The two campgrounds, North and Sunset, are both near the visitor’s center just after the park entrance. The stargazing is spectacular- I even saw the Milky Way!

Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon

I haven’t been to the Grand Canyon since I was twelve years old, but I’m putting this one of my list for nostalgia’s sake. And it’s the Grand Canyon!  I do remember being amazed by the canyon and my favorite activity was a rafting trip we took on the Colorado River.  I hear that Mather Campground is a nice option and accepts reservations depending on the time of year.  I’m hoping to go back in the near future and tackle hiking Bright Angel Trail to the bottom of the canyon. [Photo: Laura Brown]

If you want more inspiration, also check out a few more national park posts: National Parks & Seashores of the East, 2 National Parks of the West to Visit, and National Historical Parks. Also take a look at the Find Your Park site for stories and more about all the parks nationwide!

Stephanie at A Friend Afar

Stephanie grew up road-tripping across the U.S., but her first flight was to Australia, and she’s been hooked ever since. She lived abroad in Thailand, where she met Meagan, and in Ghana with Peace Corps and has been to over 30 countries on 6 continents. She travels for the adventure, the stories, and nature.

http://www.AFriendAfar.com

Destinations I’m Dreaming About

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Meagan’s Top 5

My Top 5 list of places to travel to changes all the time. All it takes is an Instagram picture, a friend’s story, or a new restaurant for me to throw all of my former priorities out the window for some place new. I wonder if my locations have a connecting theme, because they sure look different on paper. Maybe it’s that they’re all less-visited in comparison to other tourist destinations. After all, that’s how I ended up studying abroad in Thailand.

  1. Morocco – I travel for the food, to experience a completely different culture, and to learn about history. Shopping and home decor are also passions of mine, so the souks of Morocco have been calling my name for a very long time now. Camels in the Sahara, the High Atlas mountains, and crossing over from Gibraltar are all part of my armchair-traveling day dreams. [Photo: Jose Villa]
  2. Malta – This wasn’t on my list until a friend told me about her honeymoon there. It has every characteristic of my dream vacation: old architecture, fewer tourists, beautiful scenery. [Photo: Thinkstock]
  3. Iceland – Volcanoes, hot springs, and ethereal landscapes – I’ll take all of them. [Photo: Smári Ásmundsson]
  4. Turkey – Oh, Istanbul. Markets and minarets just seem so magical to a city-dweller in the south. Bring on the food, the chaos, and the ability to criss-cross between Asia and Europe all day long. Hot air balloon rides over Cappadocia, anyone? [Photo: Andrew E. Larsen]
  5. Mongolia – Yurts. Also, I can name 2 friends that have been to Mongolia, and I’m incredibly jealous of both of them. My interest in Mongolia is two-fold: the landscape and the remoteness. I dream about taking a train from London to Beijing along the Trans-Siberian Railroad. I’ll be sure to stop here for an extended stay.  [Photo: National Geographic]

Does this happen to you? Where are your Top 5 Destinations?
Tell us about them in the comments below!

Meagan Martz at A Friend Afar

Meagan grew up in the North Georgia Mountains and spent her first trip abroad in Italy. She’s been traveling all over the world ever since, learning Spanish, Japanese, and Thai. She travels for the food, the culture, and the history.

http://www.AFriendAfar.com