Florida is home to some of the world’s famous and largest  theme parks , world class hotels and entertainments. Each year tourists come to visit the Sunshine State to experience what we have to offer. Orlando alone welcomes over 60 million visitors every year,  and that number continues to climb as more and more attractions are being announced and opened each year. Visitors from around the world come to see and experience for themselves what’s  all  the buzz about, and they are not disappointed. These are just some of the countless reasons, Orlando is dubbed as the “number one tourist destination in the world.” If I sound so partial about this city, it's because I live here:)

But this blog is not just about Orlando or the other great Florida cities. It is to showcase the award-winning and world-class beaches that we Floridians are proud and so lucky to have. I’ve spent times exploring beaches and islands throughout the years, but I still haven’t  covered  everything. This is only a small portion of what the Sunshine State has in-stored for the visitors and locals alike. With the summer just around the corner, I hope this list will inspire you to go out and explore. In no particular order, here are some of the ones I’ve visited, including some of my favorites:

1.Ponce Inlet: 

Address: 176 Beach Street, Ponce Inlet, FL 32127

2.Cocoa Beach & Jetty Park

Address: 900 North Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

3. Turtle Beach

Address: 8900 Blind Pass Rd, Sarasota, FL 324242

4.Key West

Address: Key West, FL 33040

5.Saint Augustine Beach

ine 

6.Matanzas Inlet

Address: Matanzas Inlet, St. Augustine, FL 32080

7.Sebastian Inlet

Address: 9502 S. Hwy A1A Melbourne Beach Florida, 32951

8.Honeymoon Island

Address: #1 Causeway Blvd.Dunedin, FL 34698

9.Caladesi Island

Address: Offshore Island Dunedin, FL 34698

10.Anna Maria Island

Address: 5313 Gulf Dr, Holmes Beach, FL 34217

11.Captiva-Sanibel Island

Address: 1159 Causeway Road Sanibel, FL 33957

12.Clearwater Beach

Address: 1 Causeway Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33767

13.Coquina Beach

Address: 1800 Gulf Dr. Bradenton Beach, FL 34217

14.Cortez Beach

Address: 600 Gulf Dr. S. Bradenton Beach, FL 34217

15.Manatee Beach

Address: 4000 Gulf Dr. Holmes Beach, FL 34217

16.Madeira Beach

Address: 14400 Gulf Blvd. Madeira Beach, FL  33708

17.Redington Beach

Address: 105 164th Avenue, Redington Beach, FL 33708

18.Ormond Beach

Address: 363 S. Atlantic Avenue, Ormond Beach, FL 32176

19.Flagler Beach

Address: 500 North Flagler Avenue, Flagler Beach, FL 32136

20.Venice Beach

Address: Venice Beach, Venice, FL 34285

21.Boca Grande/Gasparilla Island

Address: 880 Belcher Road, Boca Grande, FL 33921

22.Siesta Key

Address: Siesta Key, Sarasota, FL 34242

23.Juan Ponce De Leon Landing Park

Address: 4005 State RoadA1A Melbourne Beach, FL 32951

24.Mary McLeod Bethune Beach

Address: 6656 S  Atlantic Avenue, New Smyrna Beach 32169

25. Holmes Beach

Address: 52nd Street, Holmes Beach, FL 34217

26. Daytona Beach

Address: Atlantic Avenue Daytona Beach Shores, FL 32118

27. Juno Beach Park & Pier

Address: 14775 U.S. Highway 1, Juno Beach, FL 33408

Having visited the Mediterranean and North Africa on three occasions, it’s just a given for me to blog about my gastronomic experience during those visits. Maybe this will also help bring back my appetite as I seemed to have lost it after a five-day confinement in the acute intensive care unit.  I have to say, though, I’m glad I’ve eaten as well and as voraciously as I did before because now I need to do some changes on my diet , I have to follow my self-imposed diet restrictions. But anyway this blog is not about my low salt, low cholesterol, low fat diet, but rather a showcase of some of the best Mediterranean and North African foods I’ve tasted during my travels in those parts of the world.

Perhaps one of the best tried-and-true diets known to healthy fanatics and gastronomes alike, the Mediterranean diet, incorporates the basics of healthy eating. It mostly consists of  fruits, vegetables, fish nuts, legumes and whole grains. Food preparations  include spices and herbs and of course olive and extra virgin olive oil. I’ve travelled and stayed in Tigzirt, which is a quaint  seaside town in Algeria, right on the Mediterranean shore. This town has a port where people can buy fish freshly caught from the Mediterranean Sea. Cafeterias and restaurants can be found throughout the town which offer a wide array of French, Italian, European, Moorish, Arabic  and traditional Kabyle/Berber cuisine. Some of my favorites, however, were prepared by my in-laws who love to cook. The people there prefer to make their food from the scratch, no canned good or processed foods. Most follow  a healthy Mediterranean diet consisting of seafood, vegetables and fruit. Their idea of steak is a very small and thin piece of meat. Sausage can be bought fresh from meat markets. The vegetables and fruits are locally grown. Olive trees grow everywhere so olives and olive oil are part of their meal preparation. Couscous, a favorite by the locals, is often prepared with meat (such as chicken, beef or lamb), vegetables and legumes. The Algerians have their own version of pizza. It is often topped with olives, vegetables and cheese and not too much meat. Tigzirt has a local cheese factory, thus cheese is also a great part of the the people's diet. Visitors from various parts of Europe flock to this town to purchase  cheese. Another favorite by the locals is a sandwich consisting of fries and eggs.  Algerian meals are not complete without vegetable salad and fruits. At least that’s how it was at my Kabyle in-laws’ house. The Kabyles love to party and I’ve been to a couple of them. The wedding receptions entail a lavish food feast and dancing where relatives and friends from different communes and villages attend. I have travelled to various parts of this country and have not seen one single fast food restaurants like McDonald's, Burger King, etc...

Algerian / Mediterranean Cuisine

Mediterranean salad topped with shredded cheese and olive oil

Piece of meat they call steak

My husband loves his salad

Another Mediterranean salad prepared by my sister-in-law

i

Rice dish with sauteed carrots

Broiled fish garnished with spices, tomatoes and lemon

Enjoying a Mediterranean feast with my in-laws at one of the restaurants in Petit Paradis

Broiled chicken and vegetable platter

Fish plate with onions and lemon

Delicious shrimp dish

Another veggie salad platter prepared by my sister-in-law

Traditional Kabyle meal prepared by my sister-in-law

Egg and fries sandwich

Next stop, Morocco.  During my visit to this North African country, I’ve tried some of its specialties including the Moroccan tagine which is a rich stew of slow-cooked meat, chicken, or fish, and most often includes vegetables or fruit. I tried the chicken with vegetable tagine and the meatball tagine. Both were very good. Couscous is also an important part of the Moroccan meal. For a sampling of Moroccan traditional cuisine, a great place is the Jemma el Fnaa in Marrakech. This place has stalls that serve all types of foods and delicacies. Given that it is a Muslim country, don’t be asking for pork dish. There you will be greeted by the restaurant workers trying to lure you into sitting at one of their tables to dine. Walk around and don’t just stop at the first place you see, there are so many choices to satisfy your taste. You can find different bakeries and shops that offer Moroccan bakes and sweets everywhere. The medina in Casablanca is also a place worth checking. It offers a glimpse of Moroccan history and culture that is richly preserved, thanks in part to its inclusion to the UNESCO World Heritage sites list. The medina have vendors that sell all sorts of products from agriculture, to electronics and most importantly, traditional hand-made products for souvenirs. The medina has small shops that sell delicacies for cheaper price than the ones you find at the grocery stores. Just beware, some are not well-packaged and wrapped. Our hotel in Casablanca, Barcelo Hotel, served a great variety of Moroccan food at the buffet, with choices of breads, meats and fruits for breakfast while our hotel in Marrakech had a buffet to satisfy our stomachs through the entire day. You can find fast food restaurants everywhere including Mc Donald’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken. They have their own version of meals that may or may not be to your liking. My husband sure enjoyed his very first burger from Mc Donald’s. while I chose their version of chicken sandwich. The McDonald’s there are considered a high end place to eat so expect a good quality fast food. They even have security guard at the door:)

Moroccan Cuisine

Burger meal from Mc Donald's

Danish and fruits plate for breakfast

Moroccan salad

Chicken and vegetable tagine

Moroccan sweets and delicacies

My husband and I enjoying a quiet Moroccan dinner for my birthday:)

Moroccan meatball tagine topped with eggs

My husband enjoying breakfast at Barcelo Hotel, Casablanca

Breakfast buffet at our hotel in Casablanca, Barcelo Hotel

Sausage and eggs at our hotel, Barcelo Hotel, Casablanca

Bread and croissants, Barcelo Hotel, Casablanca

My breakfast plate

From Morocco to Tunisia …. It was my first visit and despite the riots that was going on around that time, I was pleasantly surprised when we arrived, it was business as usual. The cafes in Tunis, the capital, were packed with locals and tourists alike enjoying their afternoon coffee breaks. I intended to try some of the Tunisian foods. With that in mind, we stopped by one of the cafeterias and ordered the Tunisian sandwich with our choice of meat and vegetables. It was kind of their version of the American Subway. It was actually good and filling. Tunisians, like Moroccans and Algerians. like  couscous. We found a restaurant in Hammamet that offered varieties of couscous meal. We did however opted for a seafood meal which was way too spicy for my liking, the chef had to make me another plate which was  less spicy. Apparently chilli is a favorite spice for the Tunisians, they like their food spicy hot. Wherever you are in Tunisia you can rest assured you won’t get hungry. Cafeterias, restaurants and small cafes are everywhere to cater to the visitors and the locals. Our hotels served a variety of food to suit our gastronomic taste. It was great to taste different traditional dishes but after a few days, I was craving  for a  simple American breakfast of omelet and meat with cheese sandwich.  

Tunisian Cuisine

Enjoying a Tunisian sandwich

Ice cream and espresso from Cafe des Delices in Sidi Bou Said

Breakfast from  our hotel in Gammarth

Breakfast buffet

Breakfast buffet centerpiece at our hotel in Gammarth

Spicy seafood dish from one of the restautants in Hammamet

Breakfast at our hotel in Hammamet

My breakfast plate consisting of meat, cheese, fruits and bread

Breakfast buffet at our hotel in Hammamet

Meat and cheese bar

Tunisian bread

 For me, trying different traditional cuisine when traveling is part of my great and unforgettable travel experience. It’s one way to learn and experience the local culture and way of life. Bon appétit!!!

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During my latest trip to North Africa and the Mediterranean, my husband and I braved a trip to Tunisia despite the recent riots that made headlines on the news worldwide. We almost cancelled the trip and just thought about going back to his hometown in Tigzirt, Algeria after we visited Morocco. But I’m glad we pushed through with our plans and didn’t cancel. The trip turned out to be an awesome one and surely exceeded my expectations. Aside from the tedious border control process at the borders between Algeria and Tunisia, the trip was definitely something to reminisce and write about.

The following are the highlights of our trip:

Sidi Bou Said is a town not far from the capital city, Tunis. This town is known for the extensive use of the blue and white colors on its buildings and houses. It can be reached by a TGM train, which runs from Tunis to La Marsa. It is known  as a town of artists, as several artists were inspired and were drawn to its beauty and charm. I enjoyed looking at the blue and white designs on the building facades throughout the town. Shops can be found everywhere which carry  souvenirs made by the locals, anything the shopkeepers can lure the tourists into buying. Potteries seemed to be the most dominant products. Eateries and cafes can also be found  everywhere. One that truly stood out (for me, anyways) was Café des Delices with its magnificent view of the Mediterranean Sea. It took us a while to find the place, but it was worth it! The view was amazing!

Highlights from Sidi Bou Said

View of one of the houses with its decorated door

The cobblestoned streets are lined with shops

Another one of its highly decorated blue doors

Blue and white buildings

More blue and white

Highlights from Cafe des Delices, in Sidi Bou Said

At Cafe des Delices with its view of the Mediterranean Sea

Perhaps the most prominent cafe in Sidi Bou Said, Cafe des Delices

Another pose with view of the Mediterranean Sea

La Marsa is the town after Sidi Bou Said, it is also accessible by TGM train from Tunis. It’s a favorite destinations to affluent Tunisians. We didn’t get to spend much time there other than to get a bite to eat one afternoon  at one of its eateries, and to catch the taxi to Gammarth where our hotel  was located.

Highlights from La Marsa

At La Marsa town center

Enjoying a delicious Tunisian sandwich

One of the hotels in La Marsa

La Marsa mosque

Gammarth is a resort town on the Mediterranean Sea known for its expensive hotels and shops. It is home to several 5 Star hotels and lavish shops , thus, tourism is the main contributor to its local economy. Our hotel, Phebus Hotel,  has its private beach on the Mediterranean shore so it was a treat! We had a nice walk to the beach early in the morning which was so serene and calm.

Highlights from Gammarth

At our hotel in Gammarth, Phebus Hotel

Our hotel private beach

View of the Mediterranean Sea from our hotel room balcony

Enjoyed the serenity at our hotel private beach early in the morning

Carthage is another suburb of Tunis. Historically known to have been founded by Queen Elissa, this city was once called the “shining city”. It has become one of the most powerful cities of the ancient world. The Carthaginian ruins, sprawled around the city, are some of the most impressive sites listed on UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  One can’t visit Tunisia without a visit to Carthage and its ruins.

Highlights from Carthage

Bust of Venus

One of the columns found on the Carthaginian ruins

Another ruins not far from the Roman amphitheater

At the ruins of a Roman amphitheater

More columns, found at the ruins of a temple

Hammamet  is another town popular to the tourists, in fact it was the first tourist destination in Tunisia. It’s known for its jasmine plants and jasmine souvenirs can be found everywhere.  The Yasmine Beach and Hammamet Beach are dotted with hotels ranging from minimal to upscale. We stayed at Vincci Taj Sultan, a 5 star hotel  right on the Mediterranean Sea.  The town  caters  to tourists as evident by its tourists attractions  (Carthageland in particular), shops, restaurants, and countless hotels  all over the place. We took a walk and explored the areas close to our hotel, where we enjoyed the beautiful sunset and the impressive architectures. We then ended the night with an authentic Tunisian meal at one of the restaurants.

Highlights from Hammamet

Yasmine Beach

Horse-drawn carriages are good means to explore the town

View of Hammamet with the sunset

Exploring Hammamet

Potteries

Sousse  is the second largest city in Tunisia, it is known for its fortification (Ribat ) which houses the  Sousse Archeological  Museum with its impressive collection of historical relics. Its Medina (old city) is a UNESCO World heritage site. The Ribat is massive and is still in a very good condition. You have to climb to the top to enjoy the view of the old city and the Mediterranean Sea.

Highlights from Sousse

Statue of Venus

Statue of Neptune

At the fortification, Ribat

Mosaic tile art of Neptune

Posed on one of the sides of the Ribat

View of the medina and the Mediterranean Sea from the top of the Ribat

Port El Kantaoui is a tourist complex a few kilometers from Sousse. It’s known for its golf courses, making it a popular destination for golfers. Its chic boutiques are haven for the shop-a-holics as its waterfront restaurants are for the gastronomes. Its  marina and harbors are favorites for those who love water sports such as yachting, water skiing and paragliding. The entertainment complex at the marina is a popular spot for the locals and the visitors especially at night. We stayed at El Hana Palace-Caruso Hotel, which is a very impressive hotel right on the Mediterranean Sea.  

Highlights from Port El Kantaoui

View of the Mediterranean Sea from our hotel balcony

At the entertainment complex in the marina, waiting for our dinner

At the entertainment complex at the marina

Haunted house at the entertainment complex

El Djem is home to El Djem Colosseum, the third largest amphitheater in the world and one of the most well-preserved, due in part to it being a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The colosseum is right in the middle of  the town that it’s hard to miss it. El Djem is home to some of the most impressive Roman ruins in the African continent. It’s definitely a place not to miss when in Tunisia.

Highlights from El Djem

Posed in front of the El Djem Colosseum

Mosaic tiles for sale outside the colosseum

My husband checking out the souvenirs for sale outside the colosseum

Tunis is the capital and the largest city of Tunisia. Inside the Sea Gate (Port de France) is the new city. Its grand Avenue Habib Bourguiba, often referred to as "the Tunisian Champs-Elysees”, is where you can find some of the remarkable colonial buildings in the country. Being that it’s the capital, it is the center of the country’s administrative and political offices, as well as the center of the country’s commercial  activities. The old city (Medina) is a contrast to the modern and new city. It preserves the Tunisian’s culture and way of life and is listed as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.

Highlights from Tunis

Catholic church in Tunis, St. Vincent de Paul

The clock tower in Tunis

My husband and I with the view of the fountain in Tunis

Avenue Habib Bourguiba, dubbed as the "Champs Elysees of Tunisia"

Port de France (The Sea Gate), separates the old and the new city

Souvenirs displayed outside Port de France

Before I visited this country, I didn’t realize what it had to offer. I knew that it’s where the Arab Spring started after a vendor set himself on fire out of protest, which then started the revolution that extended to other Arab countries. It prevailed despite enduring revolutions and wars. Its sites are so diverse, the culture so rich. I’m so glad I got the opportunity to visit this country “off the beaten track.”

I’d like to end this blog with a quote: “Foreign lands never yield their secrets to a traveler. The best they offer are tantalizing snippets, just enough to inflame the imagination. The secrets they do reveal are your own - the ones you have kept from yourself. And this is reason enough to travel, to leave home.”― Graeme Sparkes

For me a well-planned holiday includes countless searching, researching and planning on where to stay. Although I use various travel sites and read different  blogs for suggestions on where the best places to stay at, I don’t always base my decision on those reviews. Since people differ in tastes, standard and expectations (and of course, budget), more likely, what others like may not be something I’d prefer and vice versa.  With that said, here are 10 of the favorite hotels where I’ve checked in. They're on this list because they left lasting positive impressions, so much so that if I’d be given half the chance, I would book with them again.

1. Negresco Hotel – 5 Star hotel located on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice France

The pride of the French Riviera and listed as a Historic National Monument. It is one of the leading hotels of the world. What impressed me about this hotel is its luxurious decorations and furnishings, including an outstanding art collection. It is a museum in itself. Each room and suite  which is elegantly  furnished and decorated,  bear such evocative names as Suite Louis XVI, Pompadour, and Traviata. A bouquet of long-stem red roses and chocolate awaited us in our suite when we arrived.

The main entrance

At the staircase leading to our suite

At our suite

 So relaxing

My son and I at the sitting room

Its  award-winning Chantecler, offers an  exquisite French cuisine in a sophisticated Regency setting. Rotonde, with its  fairy tale merry-go-round décor, is open all day for light meals, and Le Relais is a piano bar for cocktails.

Dining at Chantecler 

Although the hotel doesn’t have a swimming pool, the Mediterranean Sea is right across the street, a few feet away, where you can enjoy the turquoise blue water, which the Mediterranean Sea is known for. The promenade next to the beach is lined with chairs and cabanas perfect for a relaxing day on the Mediterranean shores and the Bay of Angels.

My son at the Royal Lounge

At the main hall

The  spectacular "Baccarat", a 16,309-crystal chandelier in the Negresco's Royal Lounge

was commissioned by Czar Nicholas II

2. Knightsbridge Hotel - a 5 star hotel on Beaufort Gardens in London England

This small yet very cozy hotel is perfectly located in one of the nice and quiet areas in London. It is very close to the world-famous Harrods Department Store and the tube. The reception area is very nice and gives you that “at home” feeling.

I like how the room was tastefully decorated and had a luxurious bathroom. The small balcony is a perfect place for an afternoon tea.

In addition to its close proximity to Harrods, the Hyde Park and the international designer stores of Sloane Street and Brompton Cross are a short walk away from the hotel as well.  

At our room

My son relaxing at our sitting room

Bonding with my son

3. Vincci Taj Sultan Hotel– 5 Star hotel in Yasmine Hammamet Tunisia

One of the 5 star hotels from the Vincci Hoteles. A paradise of fun and relaxation on the shores of the Mediterranean.The hotel has two outdoor pools, an indoor pool, and a private beach on the Mediterranean. It’s a perfect gateaway and one of the great surprises in this “off the beaten track” country that has recently recovered from a political uprising. Upon arrival, we were immediately served with fresh cold fruit juice while waiting to check in.

The main lobby/reception hall

Our room had a Victorian-style bedding, I’m not very fond of floral-style decors so I can’t write much about the room. However, we spent most of our time outside, in the pool and at the beach. The hotel offers a nightly animation shows with different themes. Those who prefer the poolside bar are entertained by a live piano player at night. There is also a piano bar near the lobby and a beach side bar at its private beach. For a complete relaxation and rejuvenation, the hotel has the sauna and spa, with services like massage and hamam.

Our Victorian-themed room

Enjoying the hotel private beach

The hotel swimming pool

Another view of the swimming pool area

What is so impressive about this hotel is its dome ceiling at the lobby, painted in yellow and white and trimmed in gold. You feel like you walk into a palace with its tall columns and decorative mosaic tiled floors.

The impressive dome ceiling

4. El Hana Palace - Caruso Hotel – 5 Star hotel in Port El Kantaoui Monastir Tunisia

Another impressive hotel built in traditional Tunisian style not far from the marina. I was very impressed the moment we walked into the lobby and even moreso when we got into our room which had an incredible view of the Mediterranean Sea. The bathroom was modern with a huge Roman tub perfect for a long warm bubble bath.

We didn’t waste time and went down to the pool area which was very nice, not far is the private beach in the Mediterranean shore. 

Our Roman hot tub

Enjoying the view of the Mediterranean Sea

The swimming pool

The lounge area by the beach

The Hana Palace is magnificent and is lavishly decorated. I didn’t have high expectations when I booked this hotel, but wow, I was truly impressed when we got there.

Inside the El Hana Palace
 

Inside the El Hana Palace

5. Le Meridian Beach Plaza Hotel – a four star hotel on Avenue Princess Grace  Monte Carlo Monaco

An ideal hotel with its chic and contemporary atmosphere at Côte d'Azur, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. It’s a walk away from the city’s popular tourist attractions and the world-class casinos. For the beach enthusiasts, the hotel has a private beach, and if I remembered correctly, the only hotel with a private beach in Monte Carlo. It’s the first time I’ve been to a nude beach, much to my surprise as I didn’t expect it. But I figured it’s Europe after all. 

View of the Mediterranean Sea and the hotel private beach

My son at our balcony overlooking the Mediterranean Sea

The hotel swimming pool

The pool is so impressive. I spent a lot of time there enjoying the view of the Mediterranean Sea and watching the yachts and sailboats passed by. It’s so serene.

The promenade along the Mediterranean shores are perfect for an afternoon walk. It was very relaxing to watch the scenic view and the sunset.

6. Hotel Barcelo Casablanca – a four star hotel on Boulevard D'anfa, Casablanca Morocco

This hotel is located right in the middle of one of the nicest and most modern areas in the nation’s economic and business capital, Casablanca. It is conveniently located near the train stations and some of the favorite tourist attractions like the Hassan II Mosque and the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Medina.

Our room, very modern

The sitting area

Barcelo toiletries

The room is very modern, greatly complemented and decked with modern furniture that make everyone feel at home and relaxed, The bathroom is complete with “his” and “hers” bathrobes and toiletries for a nice bath/shower. The dining area which is  great and very organized,  offered sumptuous food to satisfy your taste. The Moroccan family salon located next to the dining area is perfect for an after-meal tea and relaxation.

My husband enjoying the sumptious breakfast at the dining hall

Relaxing at the Moroccan family salon after breakfast

The hotel's Moroccan family salon

7. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel – a four star hotel on Universal Blvd. Orlando Florida

One of the perks of working for Universal is being able to avail of the “Red Carpet” rate for our three world-class on-site hotels, the Portofino Bay Hotel, Royal Pacific Hotel and Hard Rock Hotel. I’ve stayed at all of these hotels on multiple occasions and had nothing but wonderful experience and stay. Among the three hotels, however, I have to say that my most favorite is the Portofino Bay Hotel. Your stay there will remind you of Italy,  with its  picturesque and romantic replica of the village of Portofino, Italy.

View of the harbor and the piazza at night

The exquisite room with two queen beds

The toiletries

Feeling rejuvenated

The fountain outside the main hall

The reception area

Relaxed

The restaurants at the piazza, The Thirsty Fish and Bice Restoranti

The hotel features three incredible swimming pools where you can soak up the sun! With its perfect ambiance, great dining experience and amenities, not to mention the two awesome theme parks (Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure) just next door, and its night entertainment at the piazza, it’s no wonder this hotel is one of the great vacation destinations in central Florida.

Walkway to one of the hotel swimming pools

One of the three hotel swimming pools

8. Disney’s Polynesian Resort – a four star hotel on Seven Seas Drive, Lake Buena Vista, Orlando Florida

Back when I was a huge Disney fanatic I stayed at a few Disney resorts including the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Caribbean Beach Resort, Swan and Dolphin, Contemporary Hotel, Disney’s Boardwalk, and last but not the least, the Disney’s Polynesian Resort. Each resort is unique and offers a magical and unforgettable experience to the guests. One will probably pick the Grand Floridian as favorite but I actually prefer the Polynesian Resort, maybe because of its tropical and exotic theme and atmosphere, and I truly enjoyed the luau. I have to say, though, I love the grandeur of the Grand Floridian and the upscale dining experience at its Victoria & Albert’s Restaurant.

Exterior view of the hotel

Part of the hotel lobby

The hotel swimming pool

Personalized menu at Victoria & Albert's

My personalized menu, photos were taken afterwards, thus the datestamp doesn't match the date on the menu:)

Happy birthday to me!

9. Royal British Hotel – a three star hotel on Princes Street Edinburgh Scotland

This hotel is situated on one of the city’s most famous streets, Princes Street, and very close to the world - famous Royal Mile. It’s conveniently located close to some of the highly-recommended attractions in Edinburgh including the Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyrood House. Its Glendale Restaurant and Bar offers a stunning view of the Edinburgh Castle as well as a perfect ambiance for a great dining experience. The rooms are equipped with modern amenities, ideal for a most needed relaxation and rejuvenation. It's truly amazing!

Exterior view of the hotel

At our sitting room

Our room with two queen beds

At the stairway

Getting ready for our dinner at the hotel's Glendale Restaurant

Glendale Restaurant and Bar

10. Luxor Hotel and Casino - a three star hotel on Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas Strip, Las Vegas, Nevada

This hotel is known for its iconic pyramid shape, located on the strip of Las Vegas Nevada. It features live entertainment, shops that suit everyone’s lavish taste, and amenities that include nature spa, salon and swimming pool. I loved my Pyramid deluxe queen room which had a sitting room and a bathroom which featured an oversized shower.

Casino Luxor offers slots and table games for the compulsive and amateur gamblers:) I played the slot machine for the first time in my life, for the heck of it, and yeah I lost, thank goodness it was only $20.00:)  I enjoyed checking its shops with its Egyptian themed décor. I’ve always been fascinated with Egyptology, someday I’ll visit Egypt for sure!

The hotel exterior

View of the pool with the pyramid

The swimming pool

The pyramid shop

Having a great and comfortable accommodation helps a traveler have a perfect and satisfying holiday. It is imperative that you do some research about the hotels before making reservations. Be prepared that not all you see on the photos and read online and travel guides may not what you actually get when you arrive at your hotel.  Get yourself familiar with the hotel’s policies before you leave for your vacation, when in doubt, ask the hotel and get answers. Be flexible with your plans and most importantly, refresh, rejuvenate, revive!

I was born and grew up in the Philippines where fiestas, to honor the patron saints, are a great celebration with plenty of food! People from all walks of life come together to honor the patron saints,  and share the bounty of harvest and partake of the fruits of their labor. Philippine cuisine is influenced by different countries including Spain. Lechon, a roasted suckling pig, is one of the favorite pork dishes introduced by the Spanish to the country. Chinese influences are evident by various Chinese  dishes including pancit, which is a popular noodle dish. The Philippine adobo is a very popular dish with either chicken or pork. Lumpia (Philippine egg roll) is another favorite.  Philippines is also a seafood lovers’ paradise. Kinilaw, a raw fish salad, is a favorite pulutan among Filipinos. Each region has its own specialty and offers its own flavor for certain dish.  The Philippine desserts  are some of the best I’ve tasted. A very well-known refreshment is halo-halo, a mixture of shaved ice, fruits, milk, sugar and topped with ice cream and leche flan. Delicacies vary and are regionally prepared in different ways but are nationally known as being delicious, some of the favorites are puto, bibingka, palitaw, and many more .... A trip to the Philippines  is well worth it, its 7,107 islands not only offer an endless choices of beautiful beaches but also countless opportunities to satisfy your taste! 

Shrimp dish prepared by my brother for our Hawaiian Luau 

Noodle dish prepared by my brother

Fish Tempura at Bigby's Restaurant in SM Mall, CDO

Fish and vegetable salad from Bigby's Restaurant

Sizzling barbecued ribs from Bigby's Restaurant

Dining with friends and sister at Bigby's Restaurant

Kinilaw,  fresh fish salad

My sister indulging in Filipino food buffet aboard the floating restaurant in Bohol

Enjoying barbecue aboard the floating restaurant

Some of my favorte Philippine delicacies for merienda

Lechon, roasted suckling pig, for our Hawaiian luau in CDO

Chicken barbecue at Night Cafe in Divisoria CDO

Enjoying the traditionan breakfast at our hotel in Bohol Island

Fresh lanzones from Camiguin Island

Traveling for me is not only about sight-seeing, shopping, learning about other culture and history of the countries I visit, but it is also discovering and enjoying the food. Dining is an important part of my holiday, so needless to say, I tend to over-eat when on vacation hahahhahaha! I love all kinds of food but I don’t like spicy food so forget that.

I am not  fond of Italian food for some reason, I know, I know, my bad, … but I remember in Italy we ordered all types of pizza! The best pizzas I ever had in my life! I don’t like the taste of red sauce that much so I mostly ordered white pizza.  To satisfy my hunger while sight-seeing, I ate a lot of Italian pastries, chocolate and biscotto that could be found everywhere.

Italian biscotti

Italian chocolate

What I  could remember  while I was in Spain was visiting the Museo del Jamon (Ham Museum), which offered meals consisting of ham, of course. You can order their “picnic to go” if you don’t feel like dining in. There are several restaurants everywhere that will satisfy your taste for Iberian cuisine and taste for tapas. One of the very popular dish specialized by the Spanish is the paella, a Spanish rice dish with seafood. Yummmm!  Visiting Café de Chinitas in Madrid was a special treat, a great place to enjoy tapas while watching the Flamenco dancers performed onstage.

Hams at Museo del Jamon in Madrid Spain

At Cafe de Chinitas, Madrid Spain

Moving across the pond … one of my dining experience highlights was at the very first Hard Rock Café. I could finally say “I’ve been to the very first Hard Rock Café ever!!!” yeap that’s what it’s all about:) On my second visit to England, I had to try the fish and chips from the world famous Harry Ramsden's Fish & Chips in Scarborough. It was simply delicious! The fish was humungous, did I ate it all? You bet! :) While in Leeds, Some of my British friends and I had a get-together for dinner.  After looking around for a possible place to eat, we found a restaurant in the city center that served Indian food, that left me desire for more. Another place worth visiting was the place called Roundhay Fox where I ordered their delicious shepherd’s pie with a side of fries (or shall I say “chips").

At the very first Hard Rock Cafe, London England

Fish & Chips from Harry Ramsden's in Scarborough UK

Shepherd's pie from Roundhay Fox Restaurant in Leeds UK

Dining with my British friends at an Indian restaurant in Leeds UK

Chilin' with my British friends in Leeds UK

While on a visit to Scotland, we were treated to fish and chips by our Scottish friends, apparently, these are really popular dish over there as well, I guess it’s popular all over the UK:)  In return we invited them to our hotel (Royal British Hotel) for dinner at its restaurant, the Glendale Restaurant and Bar. By the way, doesn’t my friend look like one of the characters from the TV show “Cheers”? Many people told him so.

Dining with my Socttish friends at Glendale Restaurant & Bar at Royal British Hotel in Edinburgh Scotland

In France, wow, what can I say about French food, let’s say, I remember eating dishes with varieties of cheese on the side. I remember ordering escargot (snail) for appetizer, didn’t know it’s such a popular dish over there until I saw it with my own eyes. When I tried it, it was actually good:) For dessert, I craved for something with chocolate so that’s what I got most of the time. On one occasion, I wanted to go to Chili’s Restaurant, I remember reading beforehand that there’s one somewhere in Paris. I believe the visit was mostly for my favorite dessert, the chocolate chip paradise pie!

One night we went to Maxim’s Paris, one of the most popular and fashionable (not to mention very expensive) restaurants in Paris France. We waited for awhile for them to open, only to be told, “sorry no children allowed”,  much to my disappointment because I really wanted to eat there, but not without our five-year old son. Oh well! My son is very well-behave, in fact during our visit in Nice France, the employees at Hotel Negresco's Le Chantecler  Restaurant (the finest restaurant in Nice France) were very impressed with him because he was so well-behaved when we were dining in, so much so that they gave him a present:) So proud of my boy! By the way, if you ever visit Nice, I highly recommend staying at Hotel Negresco, it's a great hotel and I'm so glad we stayed there.

Escargot appetizer

French meat  dish

Chocolate Chip Paradise Pie

At Maxim's Paris

At Le Chantecler Restaurant at our hotel in Nice France, Hotel Negresco

During a visit to Belgium, I was invited to attend a Barbie doll convention which was organized  by the doll collectors in the area. Since we were going to be in the area anyway, I accepted the invitation. It was a chance to meet some of my magazine subscribers, who before then, I only communicated with through emails and discussion boards online. They set up a table for a Barbie – theme dessert. Very impressive and I remember, delicious.  While sight-seeing in Belgium, I remember buying a lot of Belgian chocolate , which the country is known for, and of course trying the Belgian waffle:)

Dining with friends in Brussels Belgium

Barbie-theme pastry and dessert table

Barbie doll centerpiece

Belgian waffles

Dining in the second smallest country in the world, that is Monaco, was not that much different from dining in France. Their dishes were mostly influenced by France, but with added flavor to make it a completely Monegasque specialty.  We mostly dined at our hotel, though, and  I remember the food to be tasty and pricey:) While not dining in, we tried  the street foods, one in particular was the socca, which is a chickpea pancake.

Socca, a chickpea pancake

Istanbul Turkey is the only city in the world that belongs to two continents,  Asia and Europe, separated by the Bosphorus.  It  is known for its Turkish delights but it’s also popular for its kebab and all types of food. I have tried different Turkish food during my two visits to the country. In fact I felt like that’s all I did during my second  visit there, in February 2011, ate and ate!:) It was winter so I called them my comfort food:) My Turkish friend owns a diner in Bodrum, it became my favorite place to eat while I was visiting. Dining in Turkey was never without a tea, and for dessert, my favorite was the baklava.

Turkish kebab meal

Baklava

One can’t go to Greece without trying their gyros, so I did just that. It was my first time trying this Greek food, although I always read about it. I enjoyed the meal while also watching a basketball match between Greece and Turkey. Greece  is also popular for its seafood dishes. While in Kos Island, I tried a  calamari dish from one of the restaurants. It was not the best I’ve tasted (maybe the high price tag contributed to that conclusion), but given that most of the restaurants in the area were closed because it’s winter time, I couldn’t complain that much.

Greek gyros

Greek calamaris with fries

Greek kebab meal with fries and tomatoes, and yogurt for dips

I’ve visited more countries in Europe like Portugal, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, Austria and  Denmark and I can honestly say that dining in Europe was certainly some of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had. The culturally-diverse  countries offered a wide array of food that could  satisfy everyone’s appetite!  It sure did mine!

A few years back I took an all-Asia tour through Cathay Pacific . They used to have a promo where  you get to pick your destinations in Asia and travel to as many cities as you want as long as they’re within the covered regions.  The price was $999.00. Pretty good, huh? What’s the catch you might ask? Here you go:

1.  Travel must be booked through a travel agent. That was the very first and the last time I used a travel agent because I prefer planning and booking my own travels.
2. Travel must be completed  within 21 days
3. Must fly out of Cathay Pacific’s US gateway to Hongkong (in my case I chose New York since it’s the closest gateway from Orlando)
4. Surcharge applied for US outbound flight that’s not from any of Cathay Pacific’s gateway.
5. The flights did not earn frequent flyer miles:(
6.  Lastly, I had to fly from Hong Kong to each city and back, then out again to the next one, and so on and so forth.

The planning wasn’t  too tedious. Armed myself with a map of Asia, a note pad and calendar, I started planning my destinations.  I picked the countries/cities I wanted to visit, and I noted how many days/nights I would spend in each city, making sure I wouldn’t  go over the allotted 21 days. I then took  my itinerary to the travel agent, who I found online, to book my flights. When I got there, the travel agent was impressed saying she didn’t even know such thing existed. She’s never heard of All-Asia tour promo before, but either way, she’s happy to book it for me. I’m sure after my reservation, she booked more for other clients. Who knows maybe even for herself :)

My itinerary: Orlando – New York – Hongkong – Manila Philippines – Cagayan de Oro City (booked separately)  - Manila Philippines  - Hongkong  – Taipei Taiwan – Hongkong – Tokyo Japan – Hongkong - Singapore -  Hongkong – Seoul South Korea – Hongkong – New York - Orlando.  I booked a separate round trip flight from Manila to Cagayan de Oro City so I could  visit my family.  I couldn’t visit Asia without visiting them, are you kidding?  :)

Next step was booking my hotels for each city (except in the Philippines of course, we have a house close to the beach so no need for a hotel, that’s always a plus!

Accommodations  were booked, luggage were packed … so what are we waiting for? Let’s go, come fly with me ….

First stop, Philippines! I planned to spend more days here.  It’s been a couple of years since my last visit so I was very excited to see my family again!  One of the advantages of being with my family, I didn’t have to lift a finger. I loved just sitting back, relaxing, and there’s no better place for that than in my home country!  My mother referred to me as “princess in a pea” :) As I mentioned earlier, our house is just a few feet away from the beach. In the morning we would go to the beach and buy fresh fish. If we were not at the beach, we would be at the shopping malls, shopping and dining. I always enjoy our delicacies, and the halo-halo! Yummmmyy!!!

Hanging out with my sister and my cousin

At the beach close to our house

Enjoying halo-halo, one of my favorite desserts

With my sister and brother at the Limketkai Mall

With my cousins and my sister, we are family!:)

After visiting with families and friends, it seemed like days went by fast and it was time for me to say good-bye, it’s never an easy thing.  I flew back to Hongkong from Manila to continue with my journey. 

 I traveled alone so I decided to take a mini tour of Hongkong, this included a visit to Victoria Harbor with the Victoria Peak in the backdrop. I remember an ascend to the peak then a stop to  an observatory which offered an incredible view of the city! I saw this view from a postcard, sent to me by my high school pen pal, who lived in Kowloon Hongkong.  I was truly mesmerized and couldn’t believe I was actually standing there. I kind of wish I had someone to share the view with at that very moment. It was so romantic! Oh snap out of it! I told myself! Hahahha! The tour concluded with a visit to a Chinese restaurant accessible only by ferry. 

Hongkong

Can’t remember what I ate, but I’m pretty sure it included some dim sum and noodles or maybe steamed rice. I spent a couple of nights in Hongkong after which I was back in the airport to catch my flight to Taipei Taiwan.

There  I was met by three of my Asian friends who were also contributors for my magazine.  After our meet and greet, they took me to the shops for some shopping and dinner afterwards. I went back to my hotel for a good night sleep. In the morning, they picked me up from my hotel to show me around the city. After the sight-seeing, I took the cab  to the airport to catch my flight back to ... guess where? Yeap,  Hongkong :)

With friends in Taipei Taiwan

Next in the itinerary was Tokyo Japan! Back then I was a Disney fanatic so obviously the main purpose of visiting Tokyo was to see Tokyo Disneyland. I’ve seen both the American versions (Walt  Disney World in Orlando Florida and Disneyland in Anaheim California), and the French version (Disneyland Paris in France) That was fun. Little did I know, my quest to visit all of the Disney theme parks worldwide would end in Japan. I think I’m missing one or two.

Tokyo Disneyland

One night in Japan was enough, I was back in Hongkong the following day to catch my flight to Singapore.  When I got there, I was met by some of my magazine subscribers. I was delighted to get together with them. It was highly recommended that I went on a trip to Sentosa Island. Universal Studios Singapore was still non-existent at that time. I remember taking a cable car and had an incredible view of the island and the harbor. One of the highlights was posing for a photo with a giant snake dangling over my neck. I spent two nights/3 days in Singapore. Did more sightseeing in the city, visited and dined with friends until I was off for yet another flight to Hongkong, from where I had to fly out for Seoul South Korea.

Sentosa Island, Singapore

Singapore

Visiting friends in Singapore

It was already night time when I got to Seoul South Korea, bad idea to be taking a night flight especially being alone. I took a cab to my hotel. Unfortunately, the driver didn’t speak a word of English so it was really hard to explain where I wanted to go, I showed him my hotel reservation which sort of helped. I wish I’d brushed up on my Korean before embarking on that trip. I was counting on meeting up with my Korean Tae Kwon Do master friends but they were out of the city for a Tae Kwon Do demo tour. They were members of the Hodori Tae Kwon Do Demo Team and they’re always on a tour. Just my luck, they’re not there when I needed an interpreter!  Anyhow,  after  over an hour, the driver finally found my hotel! That was truly unnerving!  After exchanging  our “kam-sa-ham-nidas” (thank yous), I rushed for the check-in counter. I was too exhausted to do anything that night, so I retired to bed right after check in. Since this was my second visit to Seoul, I didn’t mind not having done much when I arrived, I just wanted to sleep.

Seoul South Korea

The following morning, I did some sight-seeing and hit some of the popular shopping areas including Itaewon. I bought a few clothes. It was a shopping delight for a petite like me who always has a hard time finding clothes that fit, and I didn’t have  to look for them in the children’s department this time:) Score!!!! Enough shopping … I was once again ready for the airport! This would be my last flight into Hongkong where I would catch my intercontinental flight back to New York.  It’s quite a long flight!!!!

So there, I did it! Was it worth it? You bet. It was definitely financially sound! Nowadays, a roundtrip flight from Orlando to Manila alone will cost at least $1500. Cathay Pacific have since discontinued that program, maybe they have something similar  but costs a lot more and I’m sure includes only  a very limited number of cities, unless you are willing to pay the add-on surcharges. Maybe someday I can take another All-Asia tour like that, but until then I’m satisfied and very happy with the tour I took.

Known in the Bible as “The Great Sea”, The Mediterranean Sea is surrounded by the Mediterranean regions where several ancient civilizations were located around its shores; thus it has had a major influence on those cultures. It has become a major route for trades, wars and a major source of income for several communities throughout the ages.

Several modern countries have coastline on the Mediterranean Sea. I’ve been to a few of them and I feel compelled to write about them so here we go …

Italy is a peninsula on the Mediterranean Sea. It is one of the most popular countries popular for Mediterranean cruises. Italy is connected to the Mediterranean Sea through the Adriatic Sea. One can’t go on a Mediterranean cruise without a stop in Italy. 

Venice Italy

Spain is another great Mediterranean country. Balearic Sea connects the mainland Spain and its Balearic Islands. Barcelona,  is a major Mediterranean Sea port  city. It is for this reason that many cruise ships depart or stop at this contemporary Spanish city. 

Barcelona Spain

France, perhaps my favorite Mediterranean coastline in France is in Nice. The Promenade des Anglais is a popular place on the Mediterranean where visitors can relax, soak up the sun, and enjoy the sandy beaches just a few steps away. For gastronomic experience, Nice offers some of the best French and Mediterranean dishes.

Promenade des Anglais in Nice France

Monaco,  the second smallest and one of the richest countries in the world. It is the home of  the Grimaldi family and the Monasque sovereigns. It was glamorized by Grace Kelly after she married Prince Rainier III. This country is known for its world class casinos and resorts. The shimmering Mediterranean coastline offers a great view as well as an enjoyable Mediterranean climate. It is a haven for sailors as evident by luxury yachts lining its harbors.

Monte Carlo Monaco

Turkey, I’ve been to a few places in Turkey but one of the famous destinations is Bodrum. It’s nestled in the southern coast of the Bodrum Peninsula and the west end of the Mediterranean,  Bodrum  is one of the popular summer destinations in Turkey.  It’s considered as one of Turkey’s chic seaside beach resorts where every year travelers from all over the world, especially those hailing from Europe, flock the city. The seaside is lined with yachts and boats used for private and charter tours along the Aegean and the Mediterranean Seas.

Bodrum Turkey

Greece,  I had the opportunity to visit one of Mediterranean islands in Greece, the Kos Island. However it was winter when we went so a lot of the establishments were closed down as the summer crowd has gone. Nevertheless, I had a great visit especially the trip to the archaeological site of the old city, which was undergoing restoration and conservation. This island, although  not as popular as Mykonos, is a great place to visit when in Greece.

Kos Island Greece

Morocco, my most recently visited Mediterranean country,  with its coast in the Atlantic Ocean that reaches past the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean Sea. The Alboran Sea connects Morocco to Spain. Some of its most popular beach destinations can be found in Tangier. More and more resorts are being built on its Mediterranean coasts to cater to the country’s growing visitors.

Casablanca Morocco

Tunisia, one of those “off the beaten path” destinations, Tunisia was surprisingly wonderful especially the places on the Mediterranean coastline like Hammamet, Carthage, Sidi Bou Said, Gammarth, Sousse and more … My husband and I chose  Tunisia for our second honeymoon (seven months after our wedding:) It was great to have a second one considering our wedding was in the middle of the winter so there was no beach time:) Tunisia’s Mediterranean coastlines are a great place for beach enthusiasts. It was worth the risk amidst all the riots in the capital city of Tunis. 

View of the Mediterranean Sea from Cafe des Delices, Sidi Bou Said Tunisia

Port El Kantaoui, Tunisia

Algeria, is the last but definitely not the least. It is from this country where I have truly learned to love the Mediterranean. My husband is from Tigzirt, a town right on the Mediterranean Sea. My first visit was in September 2011. His family home is just a few feet away from the Mediterranean Sea. Every morning I would wake up early to have a glimpse of the sunrise from the balcony. My second visit was in February 2012 for our wedding. We visited Bejaia and Azeffoun, among other villages along the Mediterranean coastline, for our honeymoon. Although it was very cold around that time, I enjoyed the view of the snow-capped mountains towering over the Mediterranean coastline. The third visit was just two months ago. It was the perfect time to visit because the summer crowds have already left. We stayed in the beach house just a few feet away from the sea. We went to the beach almost every day and enjoyed the sunsets in the afternoon. One of the highlights of my third visit to was visiting the island in Tigzirt which offered an incredible view.  The island is accessible only by boat. We also revisited Bejaia on the way to visit the waterfalls in one of the nearby communes. Other cities visited were Annaba, home of the Basilique St. Augustine, and Algiers the capital city and home of Notre Dame d’Afrique. While in Tigzirt, we took some time driving around the vicinity trying to spot the possible place for our future Mediterranean home. 

Tigzirt Algeria

Tigzirt Algeria

Azeffoun Algeria

Petit Paradis Algeria

A visit to an island in Tigzirt Algeria

Mediterranean sunset, Tigzirt Algeria

Algiers Algeria

There are 21 modern states with coastlines on the Mediterranean Sea. I’ve been to nine of them so far so twelve more to go. However, I have no intention of visiting Syria, Libya and Lebanon, so that means I only have 9 more to go! :)

I always wanted to visit to Morocco but this wish didn’t materialize until recently during my North African tour with my husband.

We flew from Algiers Algeria to Casablanca via Royal Air Maroc. When we arrived Casablanca, we took the train to Rabat where we planned to stay the night. The train ride to the capital took longer than I thought. It was already late when we arrived so we didn’t get to do anything.

The following morning, we woke up early for our breakfast and to get ready for our train ride to Marrakech. We had some time before our train was scheduled to leave so we  did some sight-seeing. Our train ride to Marrakech was about four hours long. We didn’t mind, though, the sights on the way to the red city was awesome! This included views of the desert and an oasis. I was hoping to see goats on the trees that I kept seeing on the internet, but to no avail.

Rabat, Morocco

Gare Rabatville Marrakech train schedule

Beautiful view of the desert and the oasis on our way to Marrakech

We arrived in Gare de Marrakech which was an impressive train station, complete with shops and food facilities.  We decided to walk to our hotel thinking it would be a good way to see the city and take pictures. After walking for awhile and having asked several people who gave us different direction, we decided it was time to take the taxi and finally get to our hotel, I’m not fond of walking after all!

Gare de Marrakech

Place de Marrakech

After checking in and settling in our room, we went to the roof top where the hotel swimming pool is and where we also got to enjoy the view of the “Red City”. After enjoying the pool and the city view, we took the taxi to visit the world famous Jmaa el Fnaa, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which invokes one’s senses …  the sound of the drums, the music  and the storytellers, the smell of the food from the stalls throughout the square, the taste of the Moroccan cuisine, the sights of everything  and everyone and that overwhelming feeling of being in this place. It truly is a must visit in Morocco! After  an  overwhelming experience it’s time to  go back to our hotel. I was kind of disappointed that we didn’t see the snake charmers, though.

My husband with an old musician in Jmaa ef Fnaa

On our second day, we had a tour of the city via taxi. We were then dropped off near the medina not far from  Bahia Palace. The palace is named after one of the wives of Si Moussa. Palais de Bahia is one of the favorite attractions in Marrakech, it captures the essence of Islamic and Moroccan style. After the tour, we walked around the medina and souks. A tip, be careful about taking photos especially at the souks.  Some of the shopkeepers don’t like having their photos taken.

Inside Palais de Bahia

After walking around looking for a place to eat, we came into Badia Palace (Palais Badii), which was the royal palace during Saadian dynasty. We then went back to Jmaa El Fnaa, it’s good to see the square during night and day for comparison. Nighttime is much busier and more crowded but we got to see the snake charmers during the day. Apparently, before sunset, the snake charmers leave the square that’s why you will not see them at night. I supposed it’s for safety reasons. Can you imagine if those cobras were lost in the night in the middle of the crowd? Scary thought! Another tip when visiting Jmaa el Fnaa, it’s good to have  smaller bills, the performers expect tips if you posed for pictures with or of them. One said it’s for “buena suerte” or for “good luck”.

My husband posed near a spice shop

After lunch, we headed back to our hotel and decided to stay in the pool, once again, we enjoyed the view of the city especially with its beautiful sunset! We then called it the night.

The following morning, we took the early train from Marrakech to Casablanca. Since we didn’t have much time in Casablanca, we proceeded to our planned sight-seeing immediately after check in. First stop was Hassan II mosque which is right on the North Atlantic Ocean. It is the largest mosque in Morocco and the 7^th largest in the world. It is the only mosque in the country that is open for the non-Muslims as well.

Hassan II Mosque and the North Atlantic Ocean

Inside the Morocco Mall with its Aquadream aquarium

After a few photo shoots, we took the taxi to Morocco Mall. This award-winning mall is the largest shopping center in Africa and one of the top ten largest malls in the world. Aside from its world-class shops which include Galleries Lafayette, it features the world’s largest conical aquarium, the Aquadream, that holds 3000 saltwater fish which includes sharks and rays. The aquarium also allows scuba diving with a professional diving instructor. Outside the mall is the large IMAX theater and flower garden.

North Atlantic Ocean

Instead of taking a taxi back to our hotel right away, we decided to take a  walk along the North Atlantic Ocean and La Corniche which is lined with restaurants and entertainment complex. After enjoying the view and the sea breeze we took the taxi back to our hotel.

We rested some before we decided to take a walk to the old medina, another UNESCO World Heritage site. We took some photos and went back to our hotel. It was a little late when we decided to find a place to eat. After walking a few blocks, we found one that looked promising.  After a nice dinner, we retired to our hotel.

Traditional Moroccan meatball tagine

We had a nice day in Casablanca, though short as it was, we were very satisfied with our sight-seeing just as we were satisfied with our entire visit to the country.  Morocco truly is a very diverse country. I’m so glad I finally had the chance to visit it!

Sometimes, fun and unforgettable  experiences come from spontaneity. After our stay in Bohol Island, my sister and I took the ferry boat to Cebu where we’re scheduled to catch our flight back to Cagayan de Oro. When we arrived at the pier in Cebu, we looked for a cab to take us to the airport, instead, we were met by  a few tour operators trying to sell their services. We still had several hours ‘til our flight so we were tempted. After negotiating with the tour operator we agreed on a price for a 2-persons, 6-hours island tour. The price  was a bargain, 1,500 Pesos   which is about $35. Wow!!!

Port San Pedro

We’re off to our private excursion.  Our tour driver/ guide took us to some of the popular tourist  destinations in Cebu. First stop was at Port San Pedro, located near the Plaza Independencia, it is one of the historical places in Cebu and one of the oldest Spanish ports in the Philippines. On our way to our next stop we passed several historical places, sites and buildings.  The next stop was  Heritage of Cebu Monument which is an artist depiction of some of the important and historical  events in Cebu. It includes Ferdinand Magellan's landing in the island to convert people to Christianity, and the Battle of Mactan where Magellan died in the hands of LapuLapu, a native and the first Filipino ever  to oppose a European invasion. The sculptures are made of concrete, bronze, brass and steel. Located in the historical Parian district, this monument was built by a local artist, Eduardo Castillo, and was funded by donations from the private individuals and organizations.

Heritage of Cebu Monument

After admiring the sight and having taken several photos,  we continued with our tour.  We  stopped at the Cebu Cathedral  which is a Spanish Colonial church. From there we headed to the Basilica de Sto. Nino, one of the oldest churches in the Philippines, we also passed the Collegio de Sto Nino.

Cebu Cathedral and Basilica de Sto. Nino

Magellan Cross

A Cebu itinerary has to include a visit to Magellan's Cross, this is where Ferdinand Magellan planted the cross when he landed in Cebu. The original cross is encased inside another cross for protection. The site’s ceiling has murals depicting the historical event. After visiting more historical and religious sites, we were on our way to the Taoist Temple in Beverly Hills Subdivision. The temple is open not only to the worshippers  but to the non-worshippers as well. However, be mindful of the restrictions. Anybody who is not in compliant with the dress code and the temple standard are not allowed to go inside. I was wearing shorts and sleeveless top, my sister was in her pants and sleeveless top, so needless to say, we had to stay outside. Didn’t feel left out, as the view and landscape surrounding the temple is fascinating. I particularly liked the dragon sculpture in the back, the pagodas were also nice. The place is so serene.

Taoist Temple

It was almost lunch time when we headed back to the main island. The driver took us to Ayala Terraces, one of the largest malls in Cebu, where we enjoyed window shopping and dining. After spending about an hour gallivanting and taking photos around the mall, we were ready to continue with our exploration.

Ayala Terraces

Our last stop was the LapuLapu Shrine in Mactan, the shrine was built in memory of Datu Lapulapu who led the natives in the battle against the Spaniards. He killed the Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, in the Battle of Mactan in 1521. The tour was very educational and filled with history. Indeed a great spontaneous, unplanned tour. From there, we were dropped off at the airport where we had to catch our flight back to Cagayan de Oro City … for more adventure! Stay tuned!

LapuLapu Shrine