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Your experience of a place would not be complete without a taste of its culinary offerings. In Puerto Rico, its criolla dishes are a must-try although international and fusion cuisines are also served in a lot of restaurants. Dining options run the gamut from upscale places to casual diners. The capital, San Juan, offers a wide and interesting variety of restaurants and is the perfect place for the ultimate Puerto Rican food experience.

Comida criolla or creole food refers to the local cuisine in Puerto Rico. It’s a melting pot (no pun intended) of traditional Taino food, Spanish culinary influence, and African cooking. Some of the most popular criolla dishes are lechon asado (roasted pork), adobo (seasoning made of vinegar, paprika, oil, garlin, and oregano), asopoa de pollo (stewed chicken), habichuelas (rice and red beans served with meat), and sofrito (a sauce made of cilantro onion, garlic, pepper, and other seasonings and spices). Criolla cooking also features several manners of cooking plantains. There’s tostones which is mashed green plantains, platanos which slightly varies from tostones in cooking style, and mofongo which is a ball of crushed plantains mixed with meat or seafood that were fried and flavored with seasonings such garlic and tomato-based sauce.

Being nestled in the abundant waters of the Caribbean, Puerto Rico certainly cannot do without seafood cuisines. The tastiest seafood dishes can be found in the coastal cities. The Caribbean lobster is one of the premier catches in restaurants although the dolphinfish and red snapper are popular as well. The most well-known seafood specialty however would probably be the conch stuffed with tomato for a fritter or served with a ceviche salad.

To further promote criolla cuisine to travelers, the government has created the Mesones Gastronomicos program. In this project, the 30 participating restaurants throughout the island will all serve traditional Puerto Rican fare. It doesn’t mean though that you can only taste authentic criolla cooking in these dining places. Smaller restaurants that offer native cuisines abound in San Juan and the rest of Puerto Rico.

Other upscale restaurants specialize in what is called the Nuevo Latino cuisine, a culinary style similar to criolla but predominantly uses fruits, fish, and tubers as main ingredients with tropical marinades and dark rum sauces as primary flavors. Most ingredients in Nuevo Latino cooking are locally sourced so as to maximize the fresh flavors of the produce. Restaurants serving this cuisine are mostly found in San Juan and other bigger cities of Puerto Rico. Tourists who crave for international cuisines won’t be disappointed as well. There are a lot of dining areas in San Juan that serve Italian, French, Arabian, Mexican, American, German, and Latin American dishes.

Along with the sumptuous food, another major part of Puerto Rican food is the beverage. This Caribbean island is also known for its strong drinks, its national beverage being the rum. There are about 20 different varieties of rum here. Puerto Rican coffee also packs a strong punch. It can be served as espresso, sweetened or with milk which is known as cafe con leche. If you’re looking for a milder drink, you can try coco frio which is served on a chilled coconut and a selection of fresh fruit juices.

Budget meals in Puerto Rico usually range from $5 to $15 while higher end dining can go up to $35. Upscale restaurants often require a dress code such as collared shirts for men and stylish apparel for women while the most expensive dining venues are usually black tie. Making a reservation is recommended especially from mid-November to April when tourists are usually flocking to Puerto Rico.

 By Matthias Janeck

Budapest, the romantic capital of Hungary, with around 1.7 Million inhabitants is located at the river Danube. Once you have been there you cannot forget the charming flair and the beauty of Budapest with all its thermal baths, historical buildings and beautiful sights.

Budapest is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world with a growing importance as a hub in Central Eastern Europe for business and industry. Unreachable is the view on the Danube at night when the shores are lighted and the lights are reflecting in the Danube.

Budapest has the largest synagogue and medical bath, the third largest parliament building and church in Europe as well as the second largest Baroque castle in the world. Additionally Budapest is the home of the largest Central Eastern European shopping center (Arena Plaza) and the largest island on the river Danube.

Apart from these facts Budapest became an international metropolis for businesses and expatriates which brings different cultures together which you can enjoy while dining out, partying in clubs or just during shopping in one of Budapest’s shopping streets or centers. Restaurants with all kinds of international kitchen such as Japanese, Italian, Greek or even Mongolian open up their gates to offer you culinary highlights from all over the world.

For sightseeing trips Budapest is a perfect place because it offers tons of interesting places, an interesting history and great monuments. From the US Budapest is quiet a long trip but for a Europe journey Budapest should be one of your destinations. Reaching Budapest from European cities such as London, Berlin, Rome or Paris became easier and easier with the rise of cheap flight airlines who nowadays occupy a complete terminal of the Budapest airport.

Next to all this beauty and glamour the city gives you there are things you need to take care of being a tourist. Budapest is a city where you are always facing traps and tourist rip offs for example in the wrong restaurants, bars or on the street while changing money or buying from somebody passing you. Therefore it is highly recommendable to inform yourself about the city’s behavior.

Nevertheless Budapest is the most beautiful city I have ever been to, where I settled down and where I want to spend the rest of my life. If you have the chance to visit Budapest do so!

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I have been to Rio de Janeiro maybe five times and what amazes me the most, after the greatest opportunity to meet people from all walks of life, is the great choice of restaurants and different kinds of food.

My last visit to one of the most spectacular cities in the world was last July and exactly like every time, I spent my way back to Europe thinking that, sooner or later, I will go to live there. With deep trust on indigenous, I started asking everybody where I could find a good place to eat and every time the answer was a prompt: at Marius of course!

Curious by such enthusiasm I decided to give the so-called top restaurant of the city a try. Beautifully set in front of Leme Beach, adjoining to the worldwide famous Copacabana, it’s by no means the run-of-the-mill example of a five-star restaurant.

As soon as you reach the longed spot after a battle in Rio’s traffic, you’ll find yourself facing the first hard choice of your adventure: fish or meat? In fact, apparently for the endless variety in the menu, there are two versions of the same restaurant, one beside the other. In a typical Brazilian style, your journey will start with a never-ending buffet with all sort of appetizers, starters and dishes.

While you are enjoying the best “Farofa” you have ever had, charming waiters will succeed each other with traditional and brand new choice of spit-roasted churrasco in the “meat-version” of the restaurant.

If, instead, you’ve chosen fish, after tackling a swordfish-based ‘muqueca’ and a ‘catupiri’ with small, delicious prawns, I feel compelled to mention the toilets: they definitely are worth a visit. Ground and sinks filled with mock-precious stones, characteristic fish-shaped taps and heady incense perfume. Miles far away from the classic conception of restaurant, Marius is the latest generation of luxurious holiday destinations.

But Rio de Janeiro offers an impressive range of restaurants, for every taste, pocket and style. One of my favourite lunches is in the typical “Galletos” places that you can easily find all over the city. The last one I visited is in Ipanema, precisely in Rua Visconde de Pirajà. It’s in a corner and in its simple façade a big menu is shown. Basically, you will have half chicken well spit-roasted and a consistent side course at your choice.

The choice is various and colourful, where we can match the chicken with farofa, rice, beans, salad and so on. My drink is of course Guaranà. The price is around eight reals per person, which means around three euro for a portion I had hard time to finish. I go very often to Brasil and its galletos are for sure on my to-do-list.

From luxurious restaurants to simple bistros, from genuine ‘lanchonetes’ to ‘coconut stands’, all over the city the possibilities to get refreshed are countless and everywhere the warmth of brazilian weather and people will make you feel at home.

Whether the international flight being planned is a first class, business class or a low cost coach flight with a discount airline, the preparations should be the same. The one item that is different is the preparation and information that may be necessary because it is an international flight. Rules and guidelines can be quite different for domestic flights, as compared to airline travel overseas.

First of all, it is important for both types of travel that tickets, lodging and other factors are accounted for before ever departing for the airport. The wise traveler leaves plenty of time to make travel arrangements before the departure date. If problems or issues come up, there will be time to straighten them out.

Among the items that should be on the travel plans priority list are: airline reservations, hotel accommodations, travel between airports, train stations, and connecting flights etc., special arrangements for health or physical limitations. With these items in place, time should be free for attention to details, such as identification and required documents, packing luggage and securing this luggage. Of course, requirements for identification will be different with domestic travel, as a passport is not required. But with all airline travel, passengers should be prepared to show photo identification and try to comply with any other requests made by airline or government personnel.

Well before the departure date, the experienced traveler will talk to airport or airline personnel, or read information online that will tell if driver’s license, government ID card, certificate of citizenship, passport etc. are necessary. Those who wish to remain in another country for an extended period, or who will be working or studying there, will probably need a particular type of visa. This too should be secured well before the planned departure date.

One of the most important steps in international travel is the packing and securing of luggage. If the trip is underway and the luggage is in transit, it is too late to begin worrying about contents, locks or other details. These items should be given attention during the trip-planning process.

During the planning stage, the experienced traveler make sure to understand what items are allowed and what items are prohibited in the airport and on the plane. Some liquids and containers must now be in a plastic bag of a certain size, for instance, and must be available for inspection separate from luggage. There are still restrictions on certain sharp objects and metal objects. Tip; Find out what the guidelines are and follow them to the letter.

Security screening and questioning may be different at each international airport, depending on local and national laws, local law enforcement and so on. It would be best to become as familiar as possible with these rules and guidelines before entering the foreign airport or another country. If this is not possible, be sure to comply with requests from staff and personnel who are trying to follow their own rules and orders.

Whether the flight is with a smaller, low-cost airline or one of the larger airlines, international passengers should arrive at the airport at least two hours before flight time. This allows for getting through check-in, screening and for taking care of any minor issues that may arise. Working with this limited information may be enough to make the overseas trip more enjoyable. But there is no such thing as too much information when traveling internationally.

On the picturesque Caribbean island of Grand Cayman, there is place known as Hell. Just a short drive from five-star resorts and pristine beaches, rests an ominous field of brimstone with a fascinating geological history. There are certainly several versions to the story of how Hell got its name. Yet, most variations involve a local official seeing this strange limestone field for the first time and saying, “This is what Hell must look like.” Whatever you may think of this unique version of Hell, the surrounding West Bay area of Grand Cayman offers some of the best photo opportunities in the Caribbean, while Hell itself promises an unforgettable sightseeing opportunity.

At this point, you are probably wondering what is so hellish about this little Caribbean town. The story is interesting, but certainly nothing to fear.

Approximately 1.5 million years ago, the sea level was 15-20 higher than it is today. As a result, Grand Cayman and many other Caribbean islands were largely flooded. When the water receded, limestone-based coral formations were left behind. Scientists have recognized a large formation of such ancient coral - known as ironshore - covering most of the western half of Grand Cayman.

Ironshore is the central attraction of Hell. Yet, in Hell, the limestone deposits have taken on an ominous shape. In an area about the size of half a football field, you will see exposed black ironshore that has been uniquely weathered to resemble the fires of the netherworld. Though the formations may look like the result of volcanic activity, the limestone was in fact darkened by eroding algae after the sea waters receded. As the limestone was simultaneously exposed to acidic algae and the elements over many centuries, the field of Hell took on its devilish form.

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to walk among the limestone formations. However, the viewing platforms grant you a bird’s eye view of the sharp, blackened ironshore. Beyond the rocks of Hell, you will see mangrove trees and the beautiful Caribbean scenery you expect of Grand Cayman.

There is also plenty of fun to be had with Hell’s secondary attractions. At the town’s small gift shop, you will be greeted by the devil himself (or perhaps just a man in costume) with such phrases as, “How the hell are you?” or “Where the hell are you from?” After picking up some “postcards from hell,” you can send your friends and family a unique message courtesy of Hell’s themed post office. Opened in 1962, the post office allows visitors the ability to postmark their Caribbean correspondence from Satan’s hometown.

Just south of Hell, you will find Seven Mile Beach, one of the island’s most famous beaches. Though the beach is only 5.5 miles long, it promises plenty of pristine, powdery sand. Many of the island’s most popular resorts are located along this stretch, as well, yet the beach is rarely overcrowded. At the south end of the beach, you will find more exposed ironshore - further evidence of the formations resting beneath the island’s surface. Though the limestone at Seven Mile Beach wasn’t weathered as dramatically as in Hell, it certainly gives you an idea of the island’s - and the entire Caribbean region’s - unique geological makeup.

The trip to Hell is a short one (the town, that is). Mini buses run throughout the island and Hell is a popular stop. It is even possible to walk to the site from many of Grand Cayman’s resorts - most being about 5-7 miles away. However you choose to get to Hell, the journey will definitely offer scenic views of the island’s West Bay region.

You probably won’t need to spend much time in Hell either. Offering a unique brand of fun, the town and its wicked rocks offer a simple, pleasant family activity. When planning your tour around beautiful Grand Cayman, plan an afternoon stop at the place no one wants to end up (but everyone seems to enjoy).

I had the pleasure recently to go on a holiday trip to New York. And this is what I discovered. Everything about New York is complex. To fully appreciate the magnificent place, you must know a bit about New York. Here are the top nine little-known facts about New York which I think everyone planning to go there should know:

1. Everyone calls New York City the ‘Big Apple’. But why? Where did it come from? The phrase was first popularized by a newspaper editor, John Fitzgerald, who titled his column: Around the Big Apple. He first heard the term, the ‘Big Apple’, being thrown around by Black stable boys which they used to describe New York City as place of monetary abundance and opportunity.

2. The state of New York has the most extensive and oldest transportation system in the whole of North America. New York City, itself, is home to more than 12,000 yellow cabs, 120,000 bicycles, a huge subway system, bus and railroad systems, large airports, massive bridges and tunnels, ferries, and a aerial commuter tramway (think of a oversized cable car).

3. New York hosted the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid. The US Ice Hockey team, consisting of collegiate and amateur players, was to be up against the favoured Soviet Union team, which had legendary players in world ice hockey. To put it in the words of the New York Times: “Unless the ice melts, or unless the United States team or another team performs a miracle…the Russians are expected to win the Olympic gold medal for the sixth time in the last seven tournaments.” The US won and went on to win the gold medal. This victory was one of the greatest sporting moments in the twentieth century and was dubbed “Miracle on Ice”.

4. New York State is best know for the urban landscape of New York City. However most of New York State is dominated by farmland, forests, rivers, mountains and lakes. Even in built-up New York City there are more than 12,000 acres of undeveloped natural land and 26,000 acres of parkland. Who would have thought that rivers, estuaries, beaches, saltwater marshes, forests, grasslands, sands dunes, ponds, and lakes could be found in New York City? Apart from the aesthetic appeal, these natural habitats have performed, and continue to perform, vital ecological services for the city including providing clean air and water, absorbing pollutants, lowering temperatures on summer days, and improving public health and welfare.

5. The Erie Canal was built in the nineteenth century and was an important step in creating the international trading center, New York City, that we know today. It was a marvel of its day and was often called the Eighth Wonder of the World. The Erie Canal was enlarged a number of times to keep up with increased trading. The ‘final’ achievement was a canal 12 to 14 feet deep, 120 to 200 feet wide, and 363 miles long. Today the Erie Canal is largely used for recreational purposes.

6. Who coined the name ‘New York’? The land was first explored by an Italian, Giovanni da Verrazzano, who named it New Angouleme in honor of the French king Francois I. Then, the Dutch claimed the land and called it New Netherlands. Finally, the Duke of York from England bought Long Island and took possession of the rest of the land by the brute force of an army. The Duke of York called the land New York (what a surprise).

7. New York was the first state to employ license plates for automobiles. They first appeared in 1901, however the government did not issues the plates as they do today. In fact they required the owners to make their own plates. From 1901 to 1902 the plates had no numbers - all they had were the initials of the owner. It was only until 1910 when the state of New York began issuing license plates.

8. The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has been put up every year since 1931. The tradition began when construction workers of the Rockefeller Center decorated a small balsam fir tree with cranberries, paper, and tin cans. Nowadays, the Rockefeller Tree is usually a Norway Spruce which have a life span of 80 to 110 years and grows 1 foot a year. The dimensions of the tree must be a minimum of 65 feet tall and 35 feet wide to qualify for the Rockefeller Center. After the season is over, the tree is often mulched and donated to charities. One tree can yield almost 3 tonnes of mulch.

9. The Empire State Building was the world’s tallest building from 1931 to 1972. It was surpassed by The World Trade Center which became the tallest building in New York. After the bombings, the Empire State Building was announced and now remains the tallest building in New York. Just as an aside, the tallest building in the world is the Sears building in Chicago. However this record is expected to be surpassed by the Burj Dubai which will be, once completed, about 1.5 times the height of Sears!

There you have it! The top nine facts about New York I discovered on my trip to New York. Everyone knows New York is a global leader in business, finance, fashion and the arts. However this is just the ‘mask’ of New York. By reading this article, you have taken your first step to appreciating this great city.

Thailand truly is a tourist’s dream, with Bangkok’s overwhelming nightlife and just so much to do. The city’s nightlife was just amazing and had so much to offer to its visitors. Bangkok alone is home to a few dozen discos, almost 100 GoGo bars, hundreds of karaoke bars, and literally thousands of pubs and cafes.

Bangkok has so much more to offer tourists and travelers than its reputation for girls and the bars of Patpong, Soi Cowboy, and Nana “Entertainment” Plaza. The experience was enjoyable and fun. The city is unrivaled for its variety of nightlife. Throbbing clubs like Lucifers and The Talisman, live music, bowling, ice skating, dinner shows featuring Thai classical dance and sword play, dinner cruises on the Chao Phya River in an old teak rice barge, and Thai boxing bouts at Lumpini Stadium

The city’s bars, pubs and clubs runs range from sidewalk stalls overflowing with cheap beer and whiskey, to California-chic clubs like the Q bar and ultra-packed nightclubs full of bouncing, middle class Thai university students and expats. Royal City Avenue is a whole street of huge clubs the size of aeroplane hangars, packed with teenagers, jumping around to dance versions of Thai pop.

Bangkok nightlife has a reputation for being wild and rowdy. But at the same time it’s relaxed, safe, enjoyable and great fun to be part of it. The city is fast trying to established itself as Asia’s capital of cool. Bangkok’s diverse nightlife scene features everything from excellent live music and good jazz clubs to ultra cool bars, trendy clubs and great restaurants

I realize I am probably dating myself just a little… but web based map services like Google Maps or MapQuest just astonish me. Whoever figured out how to map any block on the planet in 5 seconds has got to be rich… if not they should be.

If you never tried this wonderful service, go to maps.google.com right now. It doesn’t matter where you are going… the shortest most up to date driving instructions and maps are seconds away.

G-Maps has been my choice for a few years already. The know-how in the geo-mapping arena has advanced remarkably yielding amazing immediate maps of most of the planet and directions to just about any place in the world. (more…)

Zanzibar -the “Spice Island” famous for its spices such as cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, pepper and more, is located in the Indian ocean about 40km east of Tanzania and is part of an archipelago made up of Zanzibar (also known as Unguja, but more widely known as Zanzibar), Pemba Island (situated North-East from Zanzibar) and smaller islets surrounding Zanzibar.

Zanzibar is known for its beautiful white sand beaches filled with coconut palms and surrounding coral reefs, clear ocean water and (more…)

I found a great deal on a trip to Miami, what documents do I need to have in order to travel?

This is a common questions that I am presented with. It is important to consider the requirements before booking an international trip of any kind: you would hate to miss your vacation due to being turned away at the airport!

You will need a passport. As of January 2007, Canadians flying into the USA require passports. You are still allowed to travel by car, train or bus without a passport, but by January 2008 these travelers require (more…)