phagemann — Travelogue

Get active: Turkey’s top adventure holiday destinations

April 4, 2012 By phagemann Leave a Comment

When you think of the main activity destinations in Europe you tend to focus on Austria and Switzerland with perhaps some French, Spanish and Portuguese water sport action thrown in. You don’t, generally, think of Turkey.

Turkey is the quintessential beach holiday destination; its beaches are as good looking as man-made movie sets with watercolour-like ocean, sand so white it looks like snow and dramatic, pine-clad cliffs that look as though they have been painted in afterwards. However, Turkey is more than just a beach paradise beloved by sun worshippers, sandcastle hungry children and day cruisers devoted to their yachts. A lazy way of life doesn’t have to be the definition of Turkey holidays.

Olu Deniz is one of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey and that’s some claim when you look at the overall calibre of beaches this country lays claim to. However, aside from being a popular place to swim and sail this region of Turkey is where you can really get your pulse racing. The mountains rising above the beach and stretching towards the nearby town and resort of Fethiye are pretty special. Thanks to unique winds coming in off the Mediterranean this small area of Turkey is one of the best places in Europe to go paragliding. You can strap yourself in with an experienced instructor and take to the Turkish skies to admire the fabulous view of Olu Deniz beach and lagoon and the towering mountains that surround you and really feel the adrenaline pumping.

If you don’t want to spend all your time with your head in the clouds, head into Fethiye and join a PADI certified diving course. This part of Turkey is home to some of the best scuba diving in the country with crystal clear waters and unique rock formations providing sanctuary for hundreds of species of underwater wildlife.

From Antalya you can head inland for the day and get to grips with white-water rafting on the Dalaman River. The rapids are between grade three and four (grade five rapids are the biggest and most challenging). The river passes through deep gorges and past ancient remains so when your blood isn’t pumping trying to negotiate rapids you can sit back and enjoy the view.

Filed Under: Europe, Featured, Turkey

Visiting Wandlitz, Germany from Berlin

April 2, 2012 By phagemann Leave a Comment

Wandlitz, Germany, can be visited on a day trip from Berlin. The city is in the state of Brandenburg about 15 miles north of Berlin. The drive from Berlin to Wandlitz takes between 38 and 50 minutes. Travelers can also take a train from Berlin to Wandlitz. The train takes about 20 minutes. The closeness of Wandlitz makes this a perfect day trip for those staying in Berlin apartments and hotels.

The town of Wandlitz was established in 2004 when nine villages merged. Basdorf, Klosterfelde and Prenden are three of the villages.

Visitors to Wandlitz can stroll through museums, see historic sites, hike through forests, swim in lakes and sunbathe on the beach. There are places in the area for outdoor sports. German cuisine is served at Wandlitz restaurants.

The exhibits at the Agricultural Museum focus on the history of agriculture in the Brandenburg area. A combine harvester from 1937 is displayed here.

The Steam Railway Museum is next to the railway station in Basdorf. Items on display here include diesel trains and a steam train. This museum is open on Saturdays from March through November. Museum volunteers are available to run excursions all year.

The Museum of Circus Artists in Klosterfelde displays equipment and costumes used by circus performers.

The church in Basdorf is one of the historic sites in the area. The church tower dates back to the 13th century. There are castle ruins a mile away from Basdorf. The ruins can be reached by walking through the forest.

Wandlitz is next to the Barnim Nature Park. There is a forest in the park. The Wandlitz Lake is next to the town. Visitors can swim and sunbathe here.

The Liebnitz Lake is about seven miles east of Wandlitz. This lake can be reached by walking through the forest from the train station.

Golfers will be happy to discover a golf course in Prenden. Horseback riders will be able to go riding in the Wandlitz area.

Items on the menu at the SeePark Hotel restaurant include blood sausage ravioli and grilled pork belly. Roast duck, venison and smoked herring are served at the Landhaus Wandlitz-See. Diners can order Wiener schnitzel and goose breast at the Versunkene Glocke.

Looking for a quick getaway? Wandlitz is a great day trip for travelers sleeping in hotels and apartments in Berlin.

Filed Under: Berlin, Featured, Germany, Wandlitz

What Makes Belize a Backpacker’s Paradise

March 22, 2012 By phagemann 1 Comment

What Makes Belize a Backpacker's Paradise

Belize has long been a hotspot for eco-tourists, snorkelers, and young travelers, and is exceptionally well known amongst backpackers. The little country in Central America is full of life, and has numerous opportunities for site-seeing and flora and fauna spotting that are off the beaten path. A few of the best reasons to visit Belize with only a backpack in tow include:

The Language

While backpacking throughout Europe or other parts of Central and South America can also deliver an amazing experience, the language barrier can often prove to make traveling difficult. Unless you're bi- or multi-lingual, hopping from country to country isn't always easy. One poor turn and you could be lost and clueless.

Because Belize is a British Commonwealth, English is its first language – and is the only Central American country where this is so. The lack of language barrier for native English speakers makes it incredibly easy to get around or to ask locals about great local eateries or sites.

Inexpensive Transportation

Belize has one of the best bus systems in Central America, and it is incredibly cheap. Backpackers can get to nearly every corner of the country via the Hummingbird, Coastal, or Southern Highway for around 7 USD. Not only are the buses cheap, but they also offer a great way to interact with locals.

Flights to Belize from the States are also relatively inexpensive. A flight into Belize City or into Cancun, which is only a short taxi away, can easily be secured with the miles saved from a Capital One Venture 100,000 card or another frequent flier card.

Friendly Locals

Belizeans are some of the friendliest people to travelers. If you happen to hop on a wrong bus or are simply looking for a great place to grab an authentic meal, they will be more than happy to point you in the right direction. For backpackers, the Belizean willingness to help is often a godsend, and can provide a much more intimate look into the little country.

Easy Lodging

Because of Belize's history as a backpackers' paradise, lodging is incredibly easy to find, and rarely requires reservations. If you stay away from the touristy cayes, such as Ambergris, you will easily be able to find a hotel or bed and breakfast room for around $30 a night for a single to two person room. In more touristy areas, prices are higher, but again, rarely require reservations.

For backpackers this is great, as it allows them to pick and choose how much time they would like to spend in certain areas and travel on a whim when necessary.

Same Currency

In Belize, the US Dollar is just as good as the Belize Dollar, and nearly every vendor is willing to accept US currency – if not more so than their own Belizean dollar. This is great for US backpackers because it keeps them from having to exchange currency or paying currency exchange rates.

Major cities, such as Belize City, San Ignacio, and Dangriga, all have ATMs as well so you don't have to carry around large lump sums of cash. However, that doesn't mean that you should avoid bringing a credit card with you for emergencies. A good no foreign transaction fee credit card can be a life saver when cash is lost or stolen.

While staying in a luxurious resort is often what many think of when considering vacation, they shouldn't shy from a backpacking vacation in Belize. Although the country does offer 5 star stays, it is on its open roads where the country can truly be found. So if you are looking for a bigger adventure for your next vacation, consider grabbing a backpack and heading to Belize. The diverse countryside and friendly people will be sure to do anything other than disappoint.

Filed Under: Belize, Featured

So Many Thing To See And Do In New York City

March 19, 2012 By phagemann Leave a Comment

You have checked into your hotel or apartments in New York for the week. You are ready to see all that the city has to offer. With so many things to see and do in New York City, it’s hard to decide what activities to do on your first day there. It is good to know that there is something for everyone in New York City. Here is a list of some top attractions in New York City that are must-sees.

1) Sightseeing
Just like in London, New York City has the double decker busses that take you all around the city. A pass will get you unlimited hop on and off privileges to see some of New York’s great attractions like Rockefeller Center, Times Square, and Chinatown. The Staten Island Ferry is a way to experience a nice ride from Manhattan to Staten Island. The ride is totally free of charge and you can get some fantastic snapshots of the Statue of Liberty while on the water.

2) Museums
New York City is a city rich in culture and heritage. There are so many museums in the city, that you may not be able to see them all in one visit. The American Museum of Natural History, Museum of Modern Art, The Cloisters Museum and Gardens, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, are just a few of the wonderful museums that New York has to offer.

3) Broadway and Off-Broadway Shows
Seeing a Broadway show is one of the most popular activities for visitors that come to New York. Not only are there the award winning shows on Broadway, but there are great shows to see off-Broadway as well.

4) Shopping
New York City is a hub for fashion, and there are areas in the city that have fantastic shops and boutiques. Shopping on Madison Avenue is considered a luxury shopping experience. Barney’s New York, Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, and Calvin Klein are all upscale stores that are located on Madison Avenue. For a more eclectic shopping experience, visitors can head to the New York City neighborhoods of Soho or Tribeca. You will also find upscale shops in these areas, as well as great second-hand shops and discount stores. There are plenty of restaurants in these areas to stop and take a break from all of your shopping adventures.

If you did not get to see everything on your first day in the city, not to worry. The main reason you are staying in a New York apartment or hotel is so you can catch your breath, plan the next day's adventure and then head out for another day of sightseeing in the greatest city.

Filed Under: Central Park, Featured, New York, United States

Visiting Bali’s smaller laid back brothers – The Gili islands

March 13, 2012 By phagemann Leave a Comment

We catch the ferry to Gili from Bali. It is raining hard, so we expect a tough trip. The first bit along Bali green hilled coastline is quiet, but as we leave the coast for the open waters, big waves starts splashing heavily up the windscreen of the small ferry. Soon after several pale faced people leave their seat rushing to the exit only to come back soaking wet a few minutes later. It doesn’t get better, when another big wave pulls off the single window viper, leaving it somewhere in the Bali Sea and making it almost impossible to look out the window. The captain doesn´t look too worried and about half an hour later, just as the rain stops, the ferry hits the white sands of Gili Trawangan and the pale faces soon get their color back as everybody gets of the boat.

Just as wild as the ocean had been, just as quite is Gili before noon. Here are no cars and motorbikes. The only way to get around the 7 kilometer long coastline is to walk, by bike or by horse. We pick up our bags and start walking down the coastal road that also serves as the islands main road. We pass several places that rents out nice looking bungalows and we quickly find one that we like. We leave our bags in the bungalow and head for a walk along the beach. Soon the distances between the houses grows longer and longer and the only attraction is the white sand and the crystal clear blue water.

The water is just too tempting, so we rent some snorkeling gear from one of the little shops along the road and dive into the blue waters. I had been told that sea turtle spotting in Gili is almost guaranteed when snorkeling. After 45 minutes in the water I have been swimming with three different sea turtles, so I guess the guarantee holds up.

Before we return our hired equipment, e digest the magical experience of swimming side by side with a sea turtle among thousands of colorful fish over an ice cold avocado shake, in a pile of pillows in the shade of one of the many wooden gazebos on the beach.

As the sunset approaches the cozy bars and cafes along the beach starts to fill up. The restaurant owners display the catch of the day along the street. Just take your pick among lobsters, shrimps, barracudas and a lot of other good stuff from the local seas and you will soon find your choosing’s on the barbeque. We pass on the restaurants and walk down to the central market, where the local fishermen have offers similar to the restaurants. Unlike the restaurant there is no tablecloth on our table here, but what we miss out on in decoration we get in atmosphere and good prices. We order a plate of shrimps and a large Bintang – the preferred beer in Indonesia – to go with it. Half an hour later we have shrimp juices up to our elbows and all that is left on the table is the empty shrimp shells and bottles.

The fishermen start packing their stalls down as the night takes over and the music from the surrounding bars gets louder. Monday, Wednesday and Friday are the nights for going out on Gili – the rest of the week is fairly quiet. Since it is Wednesday we decide for one more Bintang in one of the bars, before we return to our bungalow.

On the way back we realize that we on our first day have covered almost everything there is to do on Gili –snorkeling or diving and relaxation in the sun. Well that is not so bad after all – we don’t mind repeating it all again tomorrow.

About the author

Stefan Russel is one of the founders of Vilondo villa rental, that rents our luxury villas in Bali and runs a Travel blog on Bali.

Facts about the Gili islands

The Gili islands are a part of Indonesia and can only be reached by boat. If you come from Lombok it is just a 5 minute boat trip, while it will take you around an hour from Bali.
Gili Trawangan is the main island of the Gili Islands. The two Gili other islands – Gili Meno and Gili Air – are even smaller and less visited.
The distance around the coast of Gili Trawangan is 7 km

Filed Under: Asia, Bali, Featured, Gili, Indonesia

Barcelona Wine and Cava Day Trips

March 12, 2012 By phagemann Leave a Comment

The wine region of Penedes lies south of Barcelona. The area has a world-renown reputation for producing Spanish champagne, known as cava, and superior white wines. Good quality reds also emerge from the region. Its close proximity to the Barcelona apartments and hotels makes Penedes the ideal spot for a wine and cava connoisseur to tour on a day trip.

Cava Winery Cordorniu

The Cava Winery Cordorniu sits in the village of Sant Sadurni D'Noia. The winery dates back to the 16th century. The winery's cellars were built by the architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch. The imposing structure has eyecatching architecture and has been declared a National Monument of Historic and Artistic Interest. Tours to the winery usually take approximately eight hours and include a visit to Sitges, which overlooks the sea. Sitges features a picturesque white medieval quarter with winding cobbled streets. Most tours allow an hour or so of personal time to explore Sitges. The full day tours provide lunch at one of the area restaurants.

Torres Winery in Pacs

The Torres Winery in Pacs is a delightful day trip that offers visitors the chance to view the winemaking process up close. The tour of the Torres Winery usually lasts one hour, but the entire trip will take approximately eight hours. Visitors will learn about the wine making process in great detail. The tour will cover the process from vine to bottle. Visitors will also be able to tour the winery's massive cellars. After the tour at the winery, visitors are welcome to sample wine at the special tasting centre.

Jean Leon Estate

The Jean Leon estate was one of the first wineries to create white wines in oak casks. Visitors can learn about the history of the estate and its winemaking process. They can also visit the large visitors centre. Wine tasting is included in the tour. Following the wine tour, most tour companies wrap up the day by visiting the historic town of Sitges.

Wine and cava day trips from Barcelona usually take eight hours to complete, but can run up to nine hours or more. Most tour companies allow two to six people per trip. The tours run year round from January to December. Rates vary, depending on the tour company. Pickups from area hotels or apartments in Barcelona are available. Advance reservations are strongly suggested. Some tour companies require that the day trip must be booked at least seven days in advance.

Filed Under: Barcelona, Featured, Spain

Gare de l’Est Train Station- Paris

March 2, 2012 By phagemann Leave a Comment

Gare de l"est is one of six SNCF train stations found in Paris. Gare de l'Est is not far from Gare du Nord, another in the string of stations. Both stations are in the 10th arrondissement of the city. Gare de l'Est is set up to serve trains departing for and arriving from areas east of the city.

Gare de l"est was built in 1847, in the Belle Epoque design so familiar in the city. The "newer" west wing was completed in 1854 and was made to help alleviate growing crowds heading into the Strassbourg region of France and Germany. As a point of fact, Gare de l'Est was built by Compagnie du Chemin de Fer de Paris à Strasbourg (the Paris-Strasbourg Railway Company) and originally was to be called the "Strasbourg Platform."

France's TGV along with City Night Line and Lyria train lines operate out of the station and serve Germany, Eastern France, Austria and the German speaking region of Switzerland.

Daily shuttle service to Paris's international Charles de Gaulle airport depart from the Gare de l'Est premises every 7 to 15 minutes each day. The operating hours of the station are approximately 5 am to midnight each day.

Within the station are several newsstands that carry books and periodicals in English, French and German to accommodate the mix of languages and travelers.

Paid parking around the terminal is available and the address should you be driving to the station is Place du 11 novembre 1918 75010 Paris. Valet baggage service and luggage check is available at the consignment stand within Gare de l'Est. Luggage lockers are on the left-side of the building and are for use between 6:30 am to 11:15 pm. Luggage left overnight is disposed of.

Three small restaurants that serve a variety of fast food and sandwiches serve the three main tracks of Gare de l"est. Beer and wine is served along with food should you desire.

Gare de l'Est is a WiFi hotspot, allowing you to check email and surf the web while waiting for your train. Telephone stands are available within the terminal should you be traveling without a cell phone.

Filed Under: Featured, France, Paris

Gare du Nord Train Station, Paris

February 28, 2012 By phagemann Leave a Comment

Train travel is much more prevalent and popular throughout Europe than the United States. In major European cities such as Paris, train stations are busy and bustling, transporting people over the continent. Gare du Nord, in the northern section of the Paris, serves thousands of travelers each day with departures and arrivals, restaurants, shops and pubs.

The original Gare du Nord was completed in 1846. By 1864 Gare du Nord had to be rebuilt three times to expand and accommodate the growing number of travelers. The name "Gare du Nord" is based less on its location within the city and more based on where the majority of the trains depart and arrive. Gare du Nord serves the Benelux countries, Scandinavia and Northern Germany.

Located at 18 Rue Dunkerque in Paris, Gare du Nord is open between 5 am to 1 am daily. The Regional Express Railway (RER) B line departs for Charles de Gaulle airport every 7 to 15 minutes each day, guaranteeing connections between the two travel mediums.

Eurostar, TGV and Thalys railways serve the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Northern Germany, Denmark, Norway and Sweden out of Gare du Nord.

Within the station is free WiFi – a sure sign of the changing times. Pay telephones, toilets and lockers are available throughout the station. Visitors have access to a regional tourism office open between 9 am to 8 pm. Currency exchange is done through a Thomas Cook kiosk where up to date rates are available. Newsstands stick current magazines and newspapers in a variety of languages to accommodate the variety of travelers coming through the station.

There are four restaurants serving small meals and fast food as well as beer and wine throughout the Gare du Nord premises. Use the baggage consignment office to check large bags for a half-day or longer. Remember to keep your stub to retrieve your bags.

Taxi stands are outside entrances to the station, with valet flagging and parking near by. Sight-seeing in locales such as the Monmarte and Sacre-Couer are just outside the station. Gare du Nord is in Paris's 10th arrondissement, the subsections of the city.

Filed Under: Featured, France, Paris

The Gare Saint-Lazare, Train Station, Paris

February 27, 2012 By phagemann Leave a Comment

The Gare Saint-Lazare is one of the six largest train stations in Paris, France. It is the second busiest train station in Paris and serves long distance routes towards Normandy as well as regional trains to the western suburbs of Paris. It transits over 400,000 travelers a day. The first station at Saint-Lazare was 150 meters northwest of its current location and was called Embarcadere des Batignolles. The station opened on August 24, 1837 and was opened by the wife of Louis-Phillipe of France, Marie-Amelie. The Gare Saint-Lazare train stations is located near the following metro stations: Saint-Lazare, Europe, and Havre-Caumartin (also known as Saint Augustin).

You can reach numerous travel destinations from the Gare Saint-Lazare, making it convenient for locals and tourists alike. There are plenty of bars and restauarants located around the Gare Saint-Lazare, which is, once again, advantageous to both locals and tourists. Some restuaruants include Brasserie Mollard, Le Garnier, Brasserie Printemps, Le Madeleine C, Bistro de Deux Theatres, Casa Del Estelle and Cafe Terminus, all of which boast a 7.8 dining rating or higher. Restaurants such of these offer a fine dining experience as well as bars that are perfect for an evening cocktail.

The SNCF Intercités train services that operate out of the Gare Saint-Lazare train station include the following:

Gare Saint-Lazare – Vernon – Rouen-Rive-Droite – Le Havre
Gare Saint-Lazare – Évreux-Normandie – Lisieux – Caen – Cherbourg
Gare Saint Lazare – Évreux-Normandie – Lisieux – Trouville-Deauville
Gare Saint Lazare – Rouen-Rive-Droite – Dieppe

The suburban lines that operate out of the Gare Saint-Lazare train station include the following:

Saint-Lazare – Conflans – Gisors
Saint-Lazare – Ermont-Eaubonne
Saint-Lazare – Conflans – Mantes-la-Jolie
Saint-Lazare – Poissy – Mantes-la-Jolie – Vernon
Saint-Lazare – Cergy-le-Haut
Saint-Lazare – Saint-Nom-la-Bretèche
Saint-Lazare – Versailles-Rive-Droite

The Gare Saint-Lazare is the most historic train station in Paris. Some of the reason for this is because the Gare Saint-Lazare features a hotel, the Hotel Concorde St Lazare (also known as the Terminus), as part of the railway building. From the Gare Saint-Lazare train station, you can take a trip around Europe through Amsterdam, London, Vienna and Rome. The Gare Saint-Lazare is an architectural wonder that has inspired many 19th and 20th century artists. When you're planning a trip to Paris, France, or Europe in general, you should travel on the Gare Saint-Lazare railway because it is a historic monument and tourist destination in itself.

Filed Under: Featured, France, Paris

The Gare d’Austerlitz, Parisian Transportation With Flair

February 26, 2012 By phagemann Leave a Comment

The Gare d'Austerlitz train station is tucked neatly into the fabric of Paris, an internationally famous city. Its history is rich and ranks among the most prominent tourist attractions. Gare d'Austerlitz plays an important role in Paris commuter transportation. If arriving or leaving Paris by train, or just staying in a Paris apartments, take the time to enjoy this historical train station.

The History of Gare d'Austerlitz
On April 26, 1931, Gare d'Austerlitz station was opened with the section known today as Paris Metro Line 10. It was located between Gare d' Orleans and Place d'Italie and for a time was the northern terminus until an extension, Place Mazas was completed. Its name derives from the Battle of Austerlitz, the name of the local district. The Battle of Austerlitz is historically a major turning point in the Napoleonic Wars.

Gare d'Austerlitz is so popular because of the unique features incorporated into its elegant design and the traverse of its lines. A view of the Gare d'Austerlitz clearly shows the Parisian penchant for beauty without compromising functionality. Structures in Paris fit into a perfect weave of architecture in traditional design that adds an air of elegance to fill the needs of Parisiennes and world travelers.

What Makes Gare d'Austerlitz So Unique?
From the moment travelers arrive at Gare d'Austerlitz, they are treated to a smooth transition to their chosen destination. The station serves Line 5 and forms the eastern terminus of Line 10, located in the 5th and 13th arrondissements. Line 5 Station opens to the outdoor area. This is strategically entered beneath the roof of Gare d'Austerlitz's main line. Travelers appreciate this exit from the station where they cross the dark green waters of the River Seine. Then, Line 5 traverses into a prominent descent and curve known as "le toboggan" ("the slide").

Traditional Beauty, Modern Enhancements
Gare d'Austerlitz accommodates needs of travelers seeking to view Paris and all of its attractive sights. Gare d'Austerlitz, in cooperation with France's national railway system the SNCF, offers high speed rail trains like the ultra-modern TGV Reseau train which carries an impressive 100 million passengers a year as well as traditional express trains that reach Gare Montparnasse, Gare de Lyon, Gare du Nord, Gare St. Lazare, Gare de Bercy and Gare de este. In addition, underground connections and subways serve local commuters as well as travelers to and from hotels and apartments in Paris the year round. Gare d'Austerlitz opens at 5 AM and remains open until midnight. Commuters enjoy the bistros and upscale brasseries as well as restaurants replete with international cuisine.

Filed Under: Featured, France, Paris