Oaxaca, Mexico – Further afield – 17

Oaxaca Mexico

Oaxaca Mexico

Visitors to Oaxaca, which is pronounced as “wah-hah-ka,” will find no dearth of new and exciting travel ideas, given that they have the required creativity, time and the willingness to experience this unique place.

The fifth largest state in Mexico, Oaxaca is flanked by the Chiapas in the east, the Guerrero in the west, the Puebla and the Veracruz in the north and 316 miles of Pacific coastline in the south. The state is surrounded by the magnificent Sierra Madre del Sur and is, therefore, a paradise for nature lovers.

Renowned as the culinary capital of Mexico, Oaxaca is the best vacation destination not only for nature lovers, but also for gourmets. If you are a food enthusiast, who has just landed in Oaxaca, start your vacation by eating, taking cooking classes and trying to unravel the mysteries of Mexican cuisine. For instance, the most exciting dish happens to be mole, a traditional sauce made by grinding together thirty ingredients.

If you want the authentic Mexican experience, you will have come to the right place because Oaxaca is a great place to observe local farmers and artisans at work, weaving fabrics, making pots, or carving wood. This place is home to many great handicraft villages known for their wool weaving, black pottery, carved wooden animals and embroidered dresses.

You must also take the time to visit places of attraction such as the Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca, the Iglesia de Santo Domingo, Basilica de Nuestra Senora de la Soledad, Catedral de Oaxaca and others. Oaxaca has some splendid museums and breathtakingly beautiful sixteenth-century churches.

You will never feel bored in Oaxaca as long as you take the time to appreciate its handicrafts, study authentic Mexican living, taste the culinary wonders of the place and enjoy its amazing beaches, monuments, museums and churches.

Barcelona City Treasure Hunt – 16

I have travelled to over 40 countries and tried a variety of things but there are always new things and experiences to try. One of those new experiences I had came last week when I was in Barcelona, Spain with a a large groups of friends and one of the group pre-organised one of the corporate/stag/hen events you can try in Barcelona – the City Treasure Hunt. I had not considered doing this type of thing before as I haven’t tended to travel with that many people.

As a group of 16 we were split into four groups of 4 people and the organisers of the event and then given a map of the city and given our first clue to find the first location. It works such that you have to travel around the city of Barcelona and find certain information or clues to then find your

Barcelona City Treasure Hunt

Barcelona City Treasure Hunt

next location, as you race around the city against your fellow teams.

I wasn’t sure if it would actually be stressful running around a major city but it was great fun and as you go around you see your fellow teams and in a city which has such a good transportation system it is a great way to see the city. At the end of the Treasure Hunt there was a prize for the winning team and then it off to the bar for a bite to eat and a well deserved drink. You can organise Barcelona City Treasure Hunt events through BarcelonaAdventure.com and some other companies. You can also learn about Barcelona holiday accommodation online.

Las Vegas for its day trips – 15

I went to Vegas a few months ago and I simply did not go to gamble. I have absolutely nothing against gambling at all and here in the UK I enjoy a flutter each year on the Grand National Horse race and a bit of money on the football. Visiting Vegas means the chance for some quite amazing day trips.

Vegas Day Trips I strongly recommend are the:

  • Grand Canyon Day tour
  • Death Valley
  • Red Rock  and
  • Hoover Dam

I recommend to stay in Las Vegas and thus you will be able to stay in a very nice hotel (and quite cheaply). In most hotels you can get picked up for the tours and a company such as Viatour.com or your hotel concierge can organise the fay trips.

Note: For the Grand Canyon trip you will have the chance to add-on the helicopter ride and/or the Skywalk.

Red Rock Vegas

Red Rock Vegas

Note: For Death Valley there are some months in the summer time when the tours are halted because it is simply too hot.

You can also of course enjoy what Vegas has to offer, with time in the evenings for a show or two and a good meal and few weeks. Many of the tours get you back to your hotel for 6-7pm. You can learn more about Las Vegas Tours and learn about the best hotels in Vegas. You can also find some cheap Las Vegas Hotels online.

Abu Dhabi F1 2009 at the Yas Marina circuit – 14

The 2009 Abu Dhabi F1 grand prix takes plave on the 1st November 2009 and there is still time to get tickets for the event. Having previously taken place in Dubai, the 2009 UAE F1 will take place at the brand new and quite stunning Yas Marina Abu Dhabi F1 circuit.

The Abu Dhabi 2009 race will be the final race of the F1 year and one hopes that the championship will be as exciting last year, with the race decided on the final corner between Maasa and eventual winner Lewis Hamilton.

Abu Dhabi F1

Abu Dhabi F1

Already this year it has been fascinating with the KERS system dominating the top half of the field with the electronic system once again proving a Ross Braun masterpiece – with Jenson Button coming in 1st for the 3rd time in 4 races. The hotly debated KERS computerised system has seen the Braun team and Red Bull suddenly at the top of the field and Ferrari struggling.

You can read more about the F1 via Dubai travel and tours online and you can also find nearby Dubai accommodation apartments to book online for the event.

See you at the 2009 Abu Dhabi F1 grand prix!

Taking a trip to Vatican City, in Rome – 13

I am very much a beach and coastal person myself BUT it would be wrong not to include a fair share of cultural and historical travel in the top 100 and this leads us to lucky number 13 and the Vatican.

The Vatican is unique in that it is a country within a city (Rome) of another country (Italy). Add onto that the fact that

Vatican trips

Vatican trips

the head of the Catholic church resides there and also the benefits of being in Rome itself and this can be an attractive trip.

The area around the Vatican arguably has become very commercial with many souvenit shops selling religious insignia, but if you are interested in religious travel and historical travel then this has to be a trip worth considering.

You can learn a lot more about Vatican, Rome travel information online.

Cuba: Visiting a cigar factory in Havana – 12

Aiming to visit a country such as Cuba and make it to a cigar factory in Havana, is not perhaps up there witth thrill seeking and adrenaline rushing travel. In terms of a cultural experience and holiday or vacation to remember though, heading to Cuba is a wonderful option.

There are still certain restrictions and the best way can often be to head to Cuba as part of a package tour. I asm not a

Cuba and Havana travel

Cuba and Havana travel

great fan of package tours but at the time of writing, and being based in England, by far the easiest way to visit Cuba is with a company such as First Choice Holidays or Virgin Holidays.

As well as a tour of a cigar factory, there are some quite stunning beaches, excellent Cuban food and some very vibrant and catchy music, including Jazz Cubano. You can learn more about Traveling to Cuba

Art Deco sauna in Amsterdam – 11

In tough economic times and in the heart of winter, a few hours or even a long weekends holiday mixed with a few days of sauna and massage is a great travel idea. There are many excellent spa facilities  worldwide and in a city such as Amsterdam, Holland the saunas in their own rights can often be very classy.

One of my favourite’s in Amsterdam is Art Deco sauna based near to the city centre and located specificaly at Herengracht 115. A great way to combine a relaxation or wellness trip is to:

  • Do some tours in the daytime. Visit the Amstel museum or one of the excellent museums.
  • Enjoy 2 or 3 hours in a venue such as Art Deco sauna in Amsterdam.
  • Then head to one of the excellent bars ot restuarants locally.
Saunas in Amsterdam.

Saunas in Amsterdam.

In a venue such as Art decon sauna you can also combine a massage or floatation tank session. Relaxation is number 11 for 1000 travel ideas!