Globetrotting Tips for Savvy Traveler

The tips you need to become a better, faster traveler.

If you're looking for travel destination slightly off the beaten path, look no further than Reykjavik. This port city on the western coast of Iceland offers a highly unique culture and landscape, with everything from thermal baths to a happening nightlife. Here's what to do on your next trip:

1. Nightlife

Reykjavik with its hip cafes, pubs and night clubs is often dubbed "the nightlife capital of the north." The city is famous for its weekend nightlife that stays out late. 

2. Blue Lagoon 

A geothermal spa located near the city, about a 40 minute drive. The popular steamy waters are part of a lava formation, reputed to help some people suffering from skin diseases such as psoriasis. In any case,  this dreamy pool is the epitame of rest and relaxation.

3. Thingvellir National Park

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park is a site of historical, cultural and geological importance, and is one of the most poular tourist destinations in the country. 

4. Golden Waterfall (Gullfoss)

Absolutely stunning. Gullfoss is a massive waterfall on the river Hvita which originates in the glacial lake Langjokull. Gullfoss means "golden falls" because the glacial sediment in the water makes the falls look golden in the sunlight.

5. The Jökulsár Lagoon (Jökulsárlón)

This breathtaking lagoon has icebergs floating inside throughout the year. 

6. The vibrant Northern Lights

From September through April you can witness these dancing lights - one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. 

7. Hiking anywhere throughout the country

The many parks, forests and nature reserves offer amazing a hiking experiences. 

8. Whale watching

Choose from one of many tours to watch whales in the wild, and catch Puffins and other seabirds. 

9. New Years Eve (Gamlarskvold) celebrations

The arrival of the new year is a particular cause for celebration to the people of Reykjavík. Go next year for the amazing fireworks show. 

10. Take a glacier tour, either on foot, by 4-wheel drive or snowmobile

 

When you're ready to travel, contact the experts at Barrett & Carlysle! We can arrange your perfect adventure vacation!

Is there anywhere on earth more romantic than Venice? 

Check out this beautiful video by Icam - his trip around Venezia with 5DMark2. As he notes, "Burano is a fantastic island for the color," and his footage really pulls you into this incredible place. 

Ready to finally take that trip? Contact us to get started!

New Orleans is one of the most historically and culturally rich, vibrant cities in the United States. The city is incredibly unique, well known for its distinct French Creole architecture, as well as its cross cultural and multilingual heritage. It's also famous for its cuisine, music (particularly as the birthplace of jazz), and its annual celebrations and festivals, most notably Mardi Gras.

Image: Saint Louis Cathedral is a symbol of New Orleans

1. Escape to City Park.

The 1300 acre park set in the middle of New Orleans is the perfect place to relax, take a stroll and escape the hectic city of New Orleans.

2. Have a Hurricane.

Try the original Hurricane at Pat O'Brien’s - a fruity concoction made with rum dating back to the Prohibition Era. Be sure to take home the famous Hurricane glass as a souvenir. Spend a fun night singing along to the music in the duelling piano bar.

3. Walk on Bourbon Street.

Walking is just the beginning! Grab a "hand grenade" and take a stroll past this quirky and exciting thoroughfare.

4. Have a coffee at Café du Mode.

Take in the early morning bakery smells as you enjoy a cup of Joe at one of the world’s most famous cafés. Go to the famous Café du Monde in particular for the yummy beignets, square-shaped pastries that can be called "French doughnuts."

5. Take a ride on the St. Charles street car.

A great way to see the sights outside of the French quarter. The 13 mile 90 min ride takes you from Canal Street through the garden district and beyond.

6. The French Quarter.

A living breathing museum the quarter will dazzle you with the wrought iron balconies, St. Louis Cathedral and unique shopping opportunities.

7. Boat ride on the Mississippi.

Half a mile wide and 200 feet deep the mighty Mississippi boat ride is must. The evening boat or ferry rides are best as you get to experience New Orleans as it’s all lit up.

8. Julia Street.

Rich with history and culture dating back to the Louisiana Purchase, this street offers a wide array of attractions including art galleries, museums and mid 19th century architecture.

9. Eat and Enjoy!  

Bring your appetite as some of the world’s best chefs make their home in New Orleans. Stop by The Court of Two Sisters for live mysic and jambalaya, and Emeril’s for the warm, energetic atmosphere and "New New Orleans" cuisine - just to name a few.

10. Music.

The big easy is the place to be for music lovers as you can find a plethora of options - just don’t forget to bring your dancing shoes. Find live music just about anywhere. 

 

When you're ready to book, contact us to start your trip! The New Orleans Jazz Festival is coming up this March ... 

Check out this neat little video by WindtheKey, of "one of the most beautiful and intriguing cities on the planet, Mexico City." These sharp, black and white photos of some of the city's most amazing sites will have you planning your next trip. 

Indeed this vibrant city is rich in culture and history and the food is absolutely incredible. Start your trip today with Barrett & Carlyse!

 

 

Every time I hear about South Africa, it goes something along the lines of, "You have to visit! It's absolutely amazing."

Between  the diverse, metropolitan cities, the rich and complex culture and history, and the breathtaking landscapes, it's no wonder why this country is becoming a travel favorite. 

Matthew Karsten of ExpertVagabond.com agrees. He posted some really spectacular photos of "South Africa's diverse landscapes, including Table Mountain, Cango Caves and Phinda Private Game Reserve," to the TravelChannel.com. Check out the full slide show here

For more information about travel to South Africa, contact one of our expert travel consultants! We can set you up on the adventure of a lifetime. 

love going to museums. Nowadays there is such a variety in both content and style, that everyone can find a space where they can pass an entire afternoon wandering, learning and being inspired. 

Just check out this list by Ashlea Halpern of CNTraveler.com - she makes the case for 10 Museums Worth Traveling for in 2012

[Louise Bourgeois (1911-2010) Ohne Titel, 2005]

Some of them are in our own backyard, like "Maya: Secrets of the Ancient World" at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto (through April 9, 2012), while others, like "Yayoi Kusama," a pyschedelic journey at the Tate Modern of London (free by the way), are as exotic as they are intriguing. 

Check out her full list and see which ones will inspire your next trip.

What are your favorites?

 

Vienna, the city of composers and philosophers, museums and pubs, is constantly reinventing itself as a truly modern city, one steeped deeply in a rich, Hapsburg history. 

Photo by Josef Polleross for the New York Times

 

Perhaps that why Sarah Wildman of the New York Times spent 36 hours exploring Vienna and came out with a variety of experiences that make me want to jump on the next plane over.

Experiences like the MuseumsQuartier, "the former Hapsburg stables turned culture plaza;" the many cafes and amazing Viennese cuisine; a hip nightlife; a mile-long open-air market; classical music; and so much more. Check out the full article and get inspired. 

Once you've caught the travel bug, contact us at Barrett & Carlysle to make the trip happen. Trust us - we can have you there in no time, with no stress. 

A Little Adventure in 2012

The new year brings with it the possibility for adventure, something that we are all fans of here at Barrett & Carlysle Travel. 

One idea is Trinidad - this beautiful Caribbean island is somewhat off the beaten path but offers amazing food, culture and experiences in its own right. 

Get inspired with this slide show by Baz Dreisinger with photos by Piotr Redlinski for the New York Times.

 

Happy New Year from all of us at Barret & Carlysle Travel!

London is packed with exciting things to do, see, eat, experience. The city is rich in culture and history and you could spend weeks just looking at museums (the TATE Modern is free! as are many in the city ... ). 

London is also incredibly diverse. All of the many ethnic backgrounds means some of the best food in the world. 

For a non-tourist experience, Megan McDonough of WeBlogTheWorld.com has some tips. London's West End for the Non-Tourist Is Not As Crowded has a lot of great information about this less trafficked but fascination area. 

Here's an excerpt:

Notting Hill: It’s hard to say anything bad about this quiet, serene neighborhood. If you head here on the weekend, get ready for the crowds. Portobello Market is a popular place on Saturdays, especially if you are an avid art or antique lover. Heading to the market is one way to feel a part of the local London community. I always enjoyed people watching during these leisurely strolls. On a weekday, the streets are much less crowded and serve as the perfect location for a day of reading and window-shopping. Not far is Hyde Park, one of London’s well-kept and gorgeous public parks.


 

Remember! You can also contact us at Barrett-Carlysle Travel for the best travel ideas and deals in the industry. 

 

Happy Holidays from all of us Barrett-Carlysle Travel!

 

I wanted to share this article by Matt Long of LandLopers.com - Four Fun Ways to Splurge on a Trip. Now, I know for me, as much as I like to travel, I like to save money. However, once in a while when I have the cash it's nice to treat myself and my family to the little extras. 

This is a great list of where and how you can do just that. I included below the one on the list that appealed to me most (food!) but definitely check out the full article for more ideas. 

"3.Food – I throw this out there for the foodies in the audience. Personally speaking, I am content with lower end food most of the time because it’s what I prefer. I’m a fairly picky eater and fussy food is not something I enjoy. But for foodies, travel can be one of the best times to experiment with new restaurants and even cuisines. Food is a critical part of the travel experience and usually forms some of the best memories of the trip. No matter where you go or how you travel, there are plenty of ways to experiment with food you wouldn’t try at home. Whether it’s a 3-star restaurant in Paris, a new sushi bar in New York or one of the premium dining options on a cruise, spending a little more for food can many times be the best investment you make. I use that extra food money to buy more Nutella crepes personally."

 

Remember! For more travel ideas, contact any one of our many experienced travel consultants who are happy to help.

 

Fisherman's Bastion is a neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque structure on the Buda bank of the Danube on the Castle hill. Palatial and inspiring, this is a must-see during your trip to Budapest.

The Bastion was built between 1895 and 1902 on the remains of an 18th century castle, and was restored between 1947-1948 after being nearly destroyed during WWII. The space was originally home to a guild of fisherman responsible for defending this stretch of the city walls during the Middle Ages.

The building is impressive and strong, an unbelievable place both romantic and magical. The lights of the city twinkle and reflect off the river at night; the chain bridge across the Danube is all lit up too. The seven towers represent the seven Magyar tribes, an ethnic group within Hungary, that settled in the Carpathian Basin in 896.

Today the Fisherman's Bastion is a popular tourist attraction near the Matthias Church. Be sure to bring your camera as the landscape and views here are some of the best in the city. 

Go early to avoid the crowds that show up during the day. Skip the cafe as the prices are a bit much compared to better and less expensive ones in the city.

Hours: 9am - 6pm

Admission: Pay only to go up in the tower itself

Hungary Budapest Guide

P.S.

Want to know more about this amazing city? Just contact one of our expert travel consultants for more info! We can take care of all of the accomodations for your next trip. 

The UCB is a hilarious improv comedy theatre in Chelsea, NYC. Shows range from the "New Team Harold" - featuring future stars in the Advanced Study classes at the UCB Training Center, to Maude Night - sketch comedy from some of the city's best sketch writers and performers.

This is a terrific, inexpensive way to enjoy the unique, witty comedy of New York. It’s the kind of humor you would find on SNL, 30 Rock, The Colbert Report, and The Office, because many of the performers are actors from these shows!

Arrive early to make sure you have a good seat. 

Website

Prices: $5-$10 USD

Address: 307 West 26th Street, Chelsea

Subway: 23 St; A, C & E

Telephone: 212/ 366.9176

Photo Credit and more info about UCB

P.S.

Let us plan your trip to NYC! It is so much fun this time of year, plus you can get all of your holiday shopping done in one great weekend. Just contact us for more info!

Around the holiday season is the inevitable trama of taking family photos - Just kidding! But gathering the bunch together - and getting everyone to smile - can be quite the task. We definitely did not make it easy for my mother growing up, especially since she would only have like 24 photos per roll of film to work with (Sorry, Mom!). 

It's a little easier nowadays with digital cameras, but that doesn't mean it can't be challenging. 

Sean O'Neill of Budget Travel has a list of 5 Tips for Sharper Holiday Photographs. There's a lot of good info here, like the recommendation to "frame the photo and then insert your subjects."

I'd like to add a few more:

1) Know How to Use the Camera

You laugh, but remember the holiday season is when many people get their new tech toys. Instead of using your family as test subjects, get to know the camera first. Taking a portrait of your baby nephew isn't the best time to learn how to work the flash. Speaking of ... 

2) Don't Have High Expectations for Babies & Children

Seasoned parents probably know this one already, but it's important to remember. Most babies can sense when you're about to take a picture and use that opportunity to start crying (Fact). Your best bet here is to practice your photography skills by trying to capture a good, candid shot (They often make for better photos anyway). 

The same applies to young kids - don't expect them to sit still for long as you set up a picture. There are way too many distractions around the holidays. 

3) Don't Take Someone's Picture Who Doesn't Want You To

Whether it's your self-conscious, teenage niece, or a relative who's feeling sick, if someone asks you not to take their picture you should respect that. Even if you think they're being silly, it's better to get the OK before snapping a grumpy shot.

4) Share Them! 

Make sure you post your photos online so that everyone can enjoy them. Sharing now is easier than ever - whether it's on Facebook or with our own photo feature, give your family the ability to see all of your handiwork. And if you're extra nice, print out a few for Grandma's fridge. 

 

Berlin is cool, historical, diverse, and beautiful - and can therefore overwhelm as you plan your sightseeing itinerary. Here is a list of some fantastic city tours to help you explore all that Berlin has to offer in almost every way you can imagine.

City Segway Tours

"See more. Less effort. More fun.” Don’t laugh - you may feel like you look silly whirling around Berlin on a segway, but in fact cruising the streets segway-style has plenty of advantages, enough so that you should consider taking a City Tour.

One of the advantages segway sightseeing is that the tours are very limited in size, meaning your experience will be highly personal and private.

Additionally, just as your means of travel is innovative, so is the tour itself. Instead of a stodgy tour of dates and tired stories, Segway tours offers “a great orientation, all the educational info, heaps of unique and fascinating stories, the opportunity to meet other travelers, fantastic photo ops and superb personal service from your guide.” At any rate, segways are fun and you’re on vacation.

Here are the different segway tours. There are full city tours, mini-Afternoon tours, tours in German and in Spanish. As opposed to walking tours, on a segway you get through a considerable list of top Berlin sights, without feeling rushed.

Each tour begins with a 30 minute orientation, so don’t worry if you’re not experienced. You do have to be 15 years or older to participate. Insurance policy stipulations means a 400 Euros deposit but so much as you don’t crash into a building you should get that back.

Make reservations online.

Mosaic Tours: Non-Profit Tours to the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial

Mosaic Tours is the only independent tour company in Berlin to offer regular public tours to the Memorial on a 100% non-profit basis, a feature that seems not only preferable but very much apppropriate.
 
What resonates especially is their mission not only to increase awareness of the past and provide an understanding of the atrocities perpetuated at Sachsenhausen but to positively influence the future and support organizations dedicated to the stopping of present-day violations of human rights.
 
Net proceeds from ticket sales are donated to Amnesty International, the Brandenburg Memorials Foundation, and Friends of the Sachsenhausen Memorial Museum e.V.
 
Guides are highly educated. The “focus is to provide relevant historical analysis and answer questions while providing the freedom for visitors to develop their own impressions of this powerful memorial.” Take the tour and explore the memorial on your own for personal reflection.
 
Tours run on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays. Meet at 10am at the foot of the TV Tower at Alexanderplatz, near the S- and U-Bahn Train Station. Look for the guide holding Mosaic Tour fliers. No reservations are required, just show up. Tours run about 6 hours, so bring a lunch/snack. There are no official restrictions to eating within the Memorial but do so with prudence.
 
You can also arrange a private tour.
 
Tour Prices: Regular: 12Euros; Student: 10Euros

Fat Tire Bike Tours

One of the largest bike tour companies in Europe, Fat Tire has been widely acclaimed for their simple and effective goal: providing great bike tours in a great city.

Guides are not only native English-speakers but are well-traveled, personable, and highly knowledgable about Berlin.

There is a wide variety of tours designed to suit your personal interests.

The Fat Tire Bike shop is one and the same under the giant TV Tower in Alexanderplatz.

Brewer's Walking Tours

See the best of Berlin in the legendary, all day, all encompassing 6hr walking tour, covering ALL of Berlin’s major historic sights. The Best of Berlin is a rigorous and rich exploration of Berlin’s chaotic history. Recommended by Lonely Planet, Let’s Go Europe, International Travel News, and other recognized publications. Cost: 12 Euros. Bring water and sunscreen!

Brewer’s also offers a tour of Potsdam (12 Euros + a Berlin ABC Ticket), a Third Reich Tour (10 Euros), a Sinful Berlin Tour (12 Euros) and a Free Tour. All tours meet daily opposite the Friedrichstrasse station, in front of the Bandy Brooks shop at 10:30.

Insomniac Tours

Tour the best of Berlin’s nightlife with a variety of nightly pub crawls. Hit up at least 5 unique hotspots ending at one of Berlin’s hottest clubs. The city is renowned for its fantastic and eclectic nightlife, and this tour more than lives up to that reputation.
 
Among the Insomniac Tour “amenities” are the Bottomless Shot Glass, the Free Beer Crate, and Free Jaegermeister. Party hard but at the same time experience an unbeatable nightlife (counter) culture. One of the 5+ places you go to is a massive squat with multiple levels of bars, art galleries, and a huge beer garden.
 
Here is the nightly tour schedule. Meet at the Free Beer Crate at 8:15pm. The first 5 people get a free Insomnia Shirt!
 
The tour is only 12 Euros - your drinks and cover charges more than cover this cost alone. The cost drops to 10 Euros if you taken a Fat Tire Bike Tour.
 
In addition to the tours, the TV Tower Shop has a HUGE variety of services. Check it out!
 

Bonus!

Let us plan and book your trip to Berlin! We can take care of all your travel and stay arrangements so you have more time (and money!) to do what you want with your vacation. Contact us for more information!

Beautiful perennial weather, bike-friendly roads, and a wealth of bicyclist resources have made bicycles the perfect way to explore this Southern California port-city.

San Diego’s beachside in particular is ideal for biking, given the crowded parking situation. The beach areas are flat and there are bicycle rentals along the boardwalk in Mission and Pacific Beach. Freeways, hills, valleys and older streets in other areas of San Diego can make the ride challenging but still accessible to more experienced riders.

Make sure you use a lock.

Here is the San Diego Regional Bike Map.

Here are some of the many bicycle tours in San Diego: 
La Jolla Bike and Kayak Tours: Tour the Black Mountains, Coronado Island, Mt. Soledad, Pacific Beach, Bird Rock, and the North County Canyon 

Bike Tours San Diego: Visit the Coronado Island, the San Diego Waterfront, Mt. Soledad, and the Cabrillo Monument. 

San Diego Century 2011: For the more experienced bicyclist, 100+ mile century rides and other events. 

San Diego Bike Tours Inc.: City tours, bike rentals, and good times.

Photo Credit

Remember!

Take the stress out of travel with our expert travel services. We can help plan and book the perfect trip for you and your family! Contact us for more information. 

Paul of the Colombia Travel Blog (by Marcela & friends) recently posed this question: Is Bogotá the London of South America?

I've always heard that Buenos Aires is the Paris of South America, and my trip a few years ago confirmed the city as sophisticated, beautiful and rich in culture. These analogies can get a little tricky (like why wouldn't Paris be the Buenos Aires of Europe?) but in general they're fun to make. 

After traveling a bit you start to notice small or even large similarities between cities and regions you visit. I think we naturally tend to look for things in common because it sets us at ease when we travel - 'Look, we are all not really so different after all.'

In any case, the author Colombia Travel Blog post  is British, and he devised a day of sightseeing, British-style, through this Colombian capital city. 

Here's an excerpt from his post:

"While Londoners may not boast the strange familiarity of the people in Bogota, a Londonphile will surely find their home away from home on the bustling streets of Colombia’s vibrant capital. The size, population and weather are the same, but the similarities don’t stop there. The similarities are so numerous, in fact, that I’ve managed to concoct ‘a thoroughly English day in Colombia’; a guide for those who love travel, but miss a cup of tea and a good old chinwag about the weather when they’re on holiday in Colombia."

Miami Art Walk has grown from a few small galleries to a full-blown event every second saturday of the month.

miamiartwalk.jpg

Located in the Wynwood Arts District, near the Design District in Mid-town, the Art Walk is a stretch of incredibly eclectic galleries as vibrant and transient as the South Beach nightlife. While some are part of the permanent collection - like long-established Bernice Steinbaum and Damien B Art Center - others are raw, gauche and innovative.

Take a date, or go with a group of friends. The galleries feature both local and international artists. Don’t let the food trucks (I suggest Grill Master Cafe or Jefe’s Tacos) or open bars fool you - the atmosphere is fun, but the work is serious, so take time to appreciate why you’re there.

Go for the wildlife art, portrait photography, urban illustrations, robot battles and avant-garde sculptures. Go because it won’t be the same the next month, and you’re not going to want to miss that one either.

Photo by Robby Campbell of BeachedMiami.com

You might think of haggling as being this foreign, difficult concept. But here’s the big secret: it’s easy.

Most of us are used to big box retailers with fixed prices and quick check-outs, but we’re really missing out on all of the fun. Once you’re in the middle of an exotic bazaar, yelling about how a porcelain tea cup can’t be worth more than 65 rupees, let me tell you, haggling’s a blast.

So just follow these basic tips, and you’ll be giving even the most seasoned merchants a real run for the money.

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Before You Bargain
Be familiar with the local currency and the exchange rate. Carry small bills with you - it’d be silly to spend time haggling only to need a bunch of change. Trust me - they won’t have it.

Don’t wear super flashy clothing - it makes you look like an easy mark to get swindled. Know where the best markets are by asking around once you’re there.

Learning a few go-to phrases and expressions in the local language is a good idea too. It’ll let the vendor know you’re not some foreign chump, ripe and ready to be overcharged. 

Be ready to shop around. A lot. Most of the time, the souvenirs you find are not unique. The next stall over, or the market down the street, will have the exact same item, and maybe at a better price.

The Art of Negotiation 
Most items aren’t marked with a price tag, so when you ask the shopkeeper, “how much?” you’re likely to hear back, “how much do you want to pay?” Play along. Ask, “how much do you think it’s worth?” Make him name the first price. Counter with a very low offer, and work your way up from there.

Point out any flaws in the merchandise. “This cup is all scratched up. It’s not worth full price.” And buy authentic goods. I’ve seen everything from wooden statues in the Bahamas to Fabergé eggs from Russia stuck with “Made in China” stickers on the bottom. If the seller refuses to go down, try to thrown in another (small) item to augment your purchase.

Don’t seem too interested. If you look like you can’t live without something, it’ll show, and they’ll use it against you. Act indifferent, shrug your shoulders, don’t say too much and wait for the seller to come down on the price. Remember to be polite though - if you’re friendly and respectful, shop owners are more likely to give you a better deal.

Know What You’re Supposed to Pay 
Tourists are super susceptible to getting ripped off simply because they don’t know any better.

In Lima, Peru, there are literally thousands and thousands of taxi cabs. Instead of using a meter, they operate on an informal system wherein you name your destination and the driver names a price. After being there for a while and spending time with locals, I knew exactly how much I should pay to go to certain parts of the city. If I didn’t get the price I wanted, I simply got the next cab.

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Don’t Give Up 
In places like Iran, haggling is an art form. When shopping - even in places like a grocery store - you need to pull out all of the stops. The store clerk will likely tell you, “Your money is no good here!” And you must convince him to let you buy something. Then the haggling; if he refuses your price - walk out. He’ll come after you and you’ll get the deal you want. (Caveat: only walk out though if it is something you can live without, in the event that you walk out alone). Be persistent, and importantly:

Don’t Be Intimidated 
One of the main reasons some western tourists don’t haggle, aside from not knowing that they can, is being uncomfortable with the process. It’s unfamiliar and shopkeepers can be aggressive. Don’t panic, and don’t feel pressured into buying anything.

Another reason is that it may seem unfair to haggle over a price where the difference in USD/CAD is nominal. Don’t be the one to create the power imbalance and over-pay out of pity. The idea here is to come to a fair price agreement to both parties.

Beyond the ubiquitous mariachi music México boasts a thriving jazz scene, with both local and internationally acclaimed musicians appearing on stage at the popular Zinco Jazz Club.

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The Zinco Jazz Club is tucked away in an old basement vault in the Historic Center, an excellent space for acoustics and one that effects an authentic 1930s vibe. Inside is cozy and intimate, the design is Art Deco, with a few tables gathered around the near-level stage in front of a red-velvet curtain.

Go for the stirring music and the hip, unaffected crowd. The passionate owners of the club host national and international jazz stars like saxophonist Paquito D’Rivera, trumpet player Ingrid Jensen, Leo Corona’s Latin Jazz All Stars, and Todd Clouser’s A Love Electric. New talent in the form of fusion artists include Tres Tristes Tangos, the funky soul band El Soul, and the conceptual rock bank, the Twin Tones. The in-demand Marsalis Brothers also make appearances from time to time.

Light snacks and cocktails are available, and there is a full menu. Go to the Club’swebsite for a calendar of upcoming shows, the menu, photos, and more.

Plus it’s air-conditioned!

Admission: Cover typically starts at $20 and goes up depending on the night’s entertainment‬. Wednesday nights are free. 
Hours: Wednesday - Saturday 9pm-3am 
Address: Motolinia 20, corner of 5 de mayo, Historic Center, Cuauhtemoc, Distrito Federal, Mexico 
Get There: Metro: Zócalo. Close to the Torre Latino Americana and Iglesia de San Felipe Neri. 
Tel: ‪            +52 55 5518 6369       ‬‎

This post might appeal more to the ladies but healthy skin is good for everyone, and can be tricky to manage when you’re traveling.

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Luckily, Dr. Leslie Baumann from Fodor’s posted 10 Tips for Traveling with Sensitive Skin.

Dr. Baumann warns against trying new products for the first time and recommends instead sticking to tried-and-true lotions and washes while you travel. Stay away from fragrances in hot environments, and know the right and wrong way to use shampoo and conditioner.

One tip not mentioned that my mom always reminded me of is to stay hydrated by drinking tons of water, especially during flights. It’ll help rejuvenate your skin and keep it from drying out.

Step inside a 1950s sweet shop, complete with handmade confections and glass jars, jaunty jazz music and decorative novelties and antiques (for sale). Hope & Greenwood is a great spot to pop in and grab some treats for your trip.

Hope&Greenwood London.jpg

Conveniently located in Convent Garden, right around the corner from Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Hope and Greenwood is a local confectionary emporium brimming with inventive and whimsical British sweets, designed and created in house. Staff is very friendly.

The walls are lined with crystal dishes and glass jars, decorative antiques and bundles of sweets. Most of the candy is sold by the scoop, though almost everything else in the store is for sale too. Sugar free and diet conscious options are available.

Indulge your global sweet tooth! Stop by and pick up a cute jar or red striped bag full of your favorite candies to take home or give as a gift!

Hours: Mon 10:30am-7pm; Tues-Sat 10:30am-7:30pm; Sun 12pm-6pm 
Address: 1 Russell St in Convent Garden
Tel: 44 20 7240-3314