MiamiStateOfMind

Visiting St. Petersburg

mareikestravel — Wed, 14 Mar 2018 23:08:00 GMT

St. Petersburg is one of those cities that have a captivating history. No wonder we are fascinated by this city for its beauty, after all the impetus of a tsar, like Peter I the Great was able to attract the best engineers and artisans from half of the continent to build a city, capital at that time, with the clear objective of being the gateway to Europe. It worked, as St. Petersburg is the most European city in Russia and offers a versatile experience for tourists. However, umbrellas are highly recommended due to the frequent rain in the city. Download (Sponsored by Apalon) a weather app to stay updated even when you are traveling.

Unforgettable Amsterdam

mareikestravel — Wed, 20 May 2015 01:14:00 GMT

Famous for the Max Bygraves hit song “Tulips from Amsterdam,” the capital of the Netherlands may well be, but there are so many more reasons why it is an ideal place to take a holiday in Holland.

You are spoiled for choice when it comes to accommodation in Amsterdam too because besides hotels, B&Bs and apartments, there are also many hostels there, and a price range to suit every pocket.

Amsterdam has so many tourist attractions with its festivals, museums, parks, bars, restaurants, a vibrant nightlife, and just like Venice is full of canals but no gondolas! But you can take cruises on these waterways, as I discovered on my holiday there.

Amsterdam is famous for its museums, and one of these is the Van Gogh Museum, dedicated to the work of one of the most famous artists to have ever lived.

It is easy to find because it is in the aptly named Museum Square and is said to be one of the most popular museums for art in the world. It is easy to see why if you like art.

Speaking of squares, no visit to Amsterdam would be complete without checking out the Dam Square. Popular with people and pigeons, the Dam Square is a great place to experience and to relax at any of its many cafés and bars.

You can usually find some form of entertainment going on, such as the songs and routines of its street performers.

Getting around Amsterdam is easy enough and you have a choice of means of transport. Besides the boats on the canals (already mentioned), there are buses, trams, taxis and a metro service.

Bicycles are very popular too and you can always rent a bike if you fancy cycling around and getting fit at the same time.

Amsterdam has a reputation for its relaxed attitude to the use of cannabis in moderation, and it is on sale at the many coffeeshops of the city.

If you prefer to stick to drinking beer, Amsterdam is the place for this too because it is home to the Heineken brewery which is where you can enjoy the “Heineken Experience” and see how this beer is made.

If you like going to festivals, Amsterdam is certainly the place to be because the city hosts around 300 such events every year.

There are music festivals, film and theatre festivals, children’s festivals and even a Sail Amsterdam Festival. Summer is the best time for festivals and there are plenty to choose from, including the Hortus Festival held at the Amsterdam botanical gardens, though it is actually not a flower show but classical music concerts. All images cc.

APRIL IN ANNECY

mareikestravel — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 21:54:00 GMT

Lake Annecy Marathon

Sports lovers take note – Now in its 32rd year, the Lake Annecy Marathon 2015 will take place on Sunday April 19 and guarantees to draw in the crowds that line the streets to cheer on passing runners in different categories from juniors to serious amateur runners.

The marathon is set against a stunning backdrop of snow-capped mountains and takes in several picture-postcard sights en route and is considered one of the city’s leading sporting events of the year.

Castle Annecy

April is a good time of year to tour Chateau d’Annecy, a restored castle overlooking the beautiful city of Annecy. It’s been transformed into a museum and is officially listed as a French historic monument that was once home to the Counts of Geneva.

Try something completely different

Learn about Annecy’s history during a Segway Tour – a really fun thing to do especially during April when the spring season is well underway.

Golf du Lac d’Annecy Grand Prix 2015

If you’re familiar with the likes of Jean Van de Velde or Karine Icher, France’s leading lady in golfing terms, you might be interested to know from April 17-19 more than 100 French amateur golfers will take to the course in the Golf of Talloires just over the waters of Lake Annecy. It could be a great spectator sporting event and will bring a real buzz to the city.

Expressive dance, theatre and acrobatics

Catch the latest offering from set designer and creative acrobat/dancer Yoann Bourgeois who brings ‘One Who Falls’ to the stage at the Bonlieu National Scene, Annecy, on April 28th & 29th. It’s bound to be a risky, vibrant and physically challenging performance.

These are just a few snapshots of the varied things to do while visiting Annecy in the coming days and weeks. Throughout 2015 Annecy, often referred to as the ‘Venice of France’ because of its pretty canals and historic landmarks, will be a hot vacation spot for students wanting to learn French, families and couples alike.

Images: Guilhem Vellut, Wayne Camlin, Guilhem Vellut, Fevi in Pictures, Nfoka

Photos: Miami

mareikestravel — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 23:02:00 GMT

Beach

What to do and what not to do when in Miami

mareikestravel — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 22:34:00 GMT

Miami in Florida is a Mecca for tourists and has the beaches and the sunshine but if you are a visitor there it is a good idea to know the activities that are recommended and also what to avoid.

Things to do in Miami

Miami has a selection of sandy beaches you can enjoy. take your pick from Miami Beach Central, Miami Beach North and Miami Beach South. And 85th Street Beach is the best for swimming away from the bustling crowds. It has changing rooms and lifeguards on patrol and is listed in Miami’s “Best Beaches.”

There are many tour companies in Miami and it is well worth taking a tour by boat. There are trips around Biscayne Bay that pass Miami’s “Millionaire’s Row,” where the rich and famous live, speedboat tours along the Miami coast, and excursions to Florida’s Everglades subtropical swamplands.

Another really great way to see the Miami area is to take an unforgettable hot air balloon ride. You can get balloon rides which you share with up to eight other people or there are private balloon rides in which you can take a loved one with you on a romantic flight through the Florida skies.

Another recommended way to really enjoy the beauty of Miami is to take a Miami Seaplane Tour. Seaplanes depart from Key Biscayne and taking off from the water is a thrilling experience in itself. Seaplane tours reveal the scenic wonders of Florida and will show you the beaches and coastline in an unforgettable way.

Of course, whatever you decide to do when visiting Miami it is most important that you find some suitable accommodation to stay at. There are plenty of apartments for rent and hotels to choose from.

What Not To Do in Miami

To stay safe when holidaying in Miami it makes good sense to stay in a tourist area and spend your time in safer neighbourhoods, such as Miami Beach, Coral Gables and Key Biscayne. Avoid Liberty City, Carol City, Overtown, and Opa Locka because these inner-city areas are known for high crime rates.

Do not go out at night on your own unless you have to. Whilst the tourist areas of Miami are relatively safe by day there are more drunks about after dark. It is also easy to get lost. If you do get into trouble and need the police, dial 911.

Do not invite crime by wearing expensive jewelry or waving your money about in public. Make sure you keep doors and windows closed and locked and don’t leave valuables in easy-to-find places.

Don’t advertise the fact that you are a tourist and new to Miami in case a passing crook hears this.

And finally do not go out in the hot Florida sunshine without protection. You do not want to ruin your Miami experience by getting badly sunburnt.

Images: Kay Gaensler, Charlie Llewellin, Rasmus Bøgeskov Larsen. Rafael Robayana, Bruce Tuten, Tom Cool, Pietro & Silvia