An abundance of history is present in the city of Berlin, but that doesn’t mean all that history is good. However, every minute of that history has shaped this city into what it is today, and you can see it all. In between all the historical attractions, you can experience some of the best culture in the world, as well as nightlife that lasts well into the next morning.

Attractions and Landmarks

One of the first attractions you will want to visit in Berlin is Brandenburg Gate. This landmark divided the country into the East and the West, and it stands as a reminder of those trying times. As soon as you have seen this fascinating attraction, you can venture over to Museum Island. There are five different museums on this island, as well as the Berlin Cathedral. You must spend on entire day on this island if you want to see at least half of what each building has to offer.

If you are looking for a unique experience in Berlin, you must head over to Prussian Park on a Sunday. It is on this day that the park turns into Thai Park. You will find all types of Thai food within this park during this time and it is an excellent way to broaden your horizons even more. If you can’t make it on a Sunday, you can at least wander through the park and enjoy the ambience.

Another relaxing option is to walk through Tiergarten, which is in the heart of the city. There are many creeks to have picnics by, but you will most likely spend your time in the numerous beer gardens.

The one landmark you can’t miss during a vacation in Berlin is the Berlin Wall. While most of this wall no longer exists, you can still see parts of it throughout the city. The most popular spot is Checkpoint Charlie, but the Berlin Wall Memorial and Mauerpark are other options if you are short on time and closer to those locations.

Must try: City Tour by Boat or Bike Tour of the Berlin Wall and Third Reich

Entertainment and Food

Since Berlin is one of the best places to drink beer in the world, entertainment is easy to find at any of the local bars. However, if you want an authentic Berlin beer experience, you must participate in one of the Berlin Pub Crawls. Your guide will take you to some of the best pubs in the city, where you can try new beers until you find a new favourite.

After your beer finding adventure, you can hit up a nightclub or two and dance the night away.

As you are partying the night away, and exploring this city, you must try some of the local cuisine. A few favourites include kartoffelpuffer, currywurst, apfelstrudel, berliner pfannkuche, and schnitzel.

You will have many mixed emotions as you walk the streets of Berlin, but you must remember the fact that you are seeing history from the other side. This will ensure that you appreciate everything you are seeing and know this city is stronger from it all.

The post Berlin – vibrant culture and intense parties appeared first on Sea Traveller.

The islands of Trinidad and Tobago are as different as can be with Trinidad being full of lush areas, industrial estates, and oil refineries and Tobago being a tranquil gorgeous island with very little of anything else. Between the two destinations, you can experience everything you want during a vacation and so much more.

Attractions and Landmarks

When it comes to forts on these two islands, you will have enough to see but you may get a little confused in the process. Over on Trinidad, your time will be spent at Fort George, while it will all be about Fort King George over on Tobago. 

Once you have seen some of the historical sites on these islands, you will want to see the true beauty within either the Asa Wright Nature Centre or Yerette. The former is a nature centre that is full of birds, reptiles, butterflies, and thousands of flowering plants. The latter is a sanctuary over in the Maracas Valley in Trinidad and it is where you will find plants and flowers, as well as seventeen different types of hummingbirds. 

The beaches will be calling your name when you are vacationing in Trinidad and Tobago, which shouldn’t be surprising since they are Caribbean Islands. Pigeon Point is a fabulous beach that many people love, but you will also want to add Store Bay to your list. If you want a little more excitement though, you can always do a little snorkelling over by Buccoo Reef. It is not too far from Store Bay and it is an option if you do not want to go over to the Speyside Reefs.

Must try: Coastal Tour of Trinidad or Port of Spain and Fort George Sightseeing Tour

Entertainment and Food

Trinidad is known for its partying options, especially when it comes to experiencing Carnival. During your time on this island, you will discover many different clubs, as well as casinos and rum shops to enjoy once the sun sets. The music in these areas are loud and the dancing is nonstop from the time the business opens until it closes. 

A few of the most popular bars and clubs include 51 Lounge Drink, Island Club Casino, Royal Princess Casino, and Space la Nouba. 

If bars and nightclubs are not your idea of a good time, you can always check out the many different galleries and the exhibits they have on display. You can also see many performances at Queen’s Hall, the National Academy for Performing Arts, and Little Carib. 

You are going to get hungry as you are exploring both Trinidad and Tobago, especially once you start to smell the delicious cuisine. While you can get so many of these foods in the restaurants, you are almost always better off purchasing them from the street vendors. 

A few of the dishes you must try while visiting these islands include corn soup, gyros, saheena, roti, and fried shark sandwiches. 

Trinidad and Tobago are two destinations you will love from the moment you arrive. The best part about vacationing on these islands though is that you will have experiences you won’t have anywhere else in the world.

The post Experience the uniqueness of Trinidad and Tobago appeared first on Sea Traveller.

A good deal of the travel industry isn’t geared toward the enrichment of the traveller’s experience; it focused on the enrichment of the industry’s bottom line. There is a prevailing attitude of, “Go first class, all the way. If you can’t, save up and go when you can afford first class all the way.”

I believe what people expect in their travels is to learn about other places and cultures, see and experience something they have never seen or done before, taste delicious food and have the most amazing time. From sun-kissed beaches and exciting cities, to snow-capped mountains and untamed savannahs, we all want to discover the World of Adventure!

But what if our expectations are not met? Do we strive for more or settle with less? When you’re at home, do you,

• require a fresh bath towel, every day?
• expect other to dance for your amusement and entertainment?
• live in a five-star hotel?
• expect your toilet to be sanitized every day, and provided with a paper sash proving so?

Why, then do people expect this when travelling? Because we want to maximise what we can get for the money we paid.

It’s easy, far too easy, to unknowingly use your money to buy a wall that separates you from what you claim you came to see.

Therein, lies the essence of budget travel.

• Knowing what your needs truly are, and not buying above them.
• Becoming a temporary local.
• Satisfying you curiosity, not your ego.
• Seeking out a more meaningful experience in you travels.
• Joining in the experiences of everyday life.
• Getting the “natives” to dance with you, rather than for you.

Mind you, it can still be expensive as hell, but it will be money well spent. As time goes on, you’ll know you’ve gotten your money’s worth.

Often this requires you to set a budget, make compromises, and economise in ways you may be unaccustomed to. These things too, add to the enrichment of you travel experience.

And at last, few travel hacks from me:

• Always roll your clothes; don’t fold them. You’ll find a world of space.
• Don’t carry more clothes than you need. Keep it to a bare minimum.
• Don’t carry large amounts of cash. Credit/Debit cards are safer. In case you get mugged, you can always contact your card service provider.
• People forget how important a pen is. Always carry 2 ball point pens with you. It can even serve as a defensive weapon.
• Keep scanned copies of your identity cards and passport in your email and on your phone in case of emergency.
• Always carry painkillers in your bag/rucksack.

In the words of John Lydon, “Don’t let them tell you what you want. Don’t let them tell you what you need.” If you do there truly is, “no future for you.”

If you are looking for recommendations to travel abroad on a budget, I’m happy to tell you that there are a number of places around the world where you can go. But here are the top 5 places in Europe that I believe are worth visiting if you’re on a budget.

Get out there! Travel!

The post The essence of budget travel appeared first on Sea Traveller.

I believe Moscow and mystery are two words that have been synonymous for years. But thankfully, I have been able to visit and experience the history within this city. Time spent in this unique part of the world had me exploring fascinating architecture, watching incredible performances, and experiencing nightlife like I never have before.

Attractions and Landmarks

There are plenty of attractions and landmarks to see in Moscow. I had a difficult time determining where to begin my journey. However, if you want to truly experience the authentic Moscow and see the most popular attraction first, you should begin within Red Square. From this location, I was able to venture over to the Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, and Lenin’s Mausoleum.

Out of those three attractions, you will want to make sure you plan to spend the most time at the Kremlin. This massive fortress has twenty towers, five squares to wander around, and you can’t forget to stop at the cannon and bell.

As I truly wanted to learn as much about the history of Moscow as possible, I took the time to visit the State Historical Museum. This museum was founded back in 1872 and it was once the Principal Medicine Store in the city. Now it holds an incredible collection of items from prehistoric times all the way to the current day. The artwork is quite impressive, but so are the 6^th century manuscripts and the coin collection.

Every holiday requires shopping adventures and when I was in Moscow, those adventures took place in GUM. This is the major department store in the city and the building it is in was constructed between the years of 1890 and 1893. There are more than two hundred boutiques on the inside of GUM, and you will find everything from affordable clothing items to those things that cost more than your house back home.

Must try: St.Basil’s Cathedral and Red Square Tour or Luxury River Cruise

Entertainment and Cuisine

There are many ways to stay entertained during your time in Moscow. My favourite was attending a ballet performance. I saw one at the Bolshoi Theatre, while classical music fills the halls at the Moscow Conservatory. Other concerts with more recent pop and rock music can be seen at the State Kremlin Palace or Crocus City Hall.

As I was exploring this amazing city, I found myself intrigued by all the aromas coming out of the local restaurants. The smells had me craving everything, but I had to choose where you start my culinary adventures.

I tried pelmeni. Those are dumplings that are often stuffed with onions, minced meat, and herbs. Blini is a type of crepe that can be served for breakfast or at any other time of the day. I found out that most blini is served sweet. But I also tried some savoury options.

I also tasted other food items while I was in Moscow include ponchiki, kasha, pirozhki, and pastila. I never ate too much and I was guaranteed to have a few new favourite foods when I returned home.

My time in Moscow was amazing, as I made sure to see everything on my list. This was difficult, but not impossible. I took the time to plan my days and nights carefully and enjoyed every moment I had.

The post Experience the mystery of Moscow appeared first on Sea Traveller.

Life becomes simpler and lighter when you love yourself more then things simply become lighter and easier.

I would like to share some of the most powerful Self Love and Self are quotes.

The post Self Love, Self Care Powerful Quotes appeared first on Sea Traveller.

The Gin

Choosing the right gin brand is very important when making the perfect Martini. I personally prefer to use Sipsmith London Dry Gin for couple of reasons. Firstly, because I want to achieve that rich floral taste of summer meadow notes. And secondly, the mellow rounded juniper and zesty, citrus freshness, blends nicely and it makes the flavours just shire through.

The Vermouth

Perhaps the most important factor of all is the ratio of spirit to dry (white) vermouth. Order your Martini “Wet,” and you’ll receive a drink that matches equal parts vermouth to spirit. Opt for a “Dry” Martini, and you’ll sample something closer to the serve Winston Churchill enjoyed. (For the former British prime minister, the perfect Martini famously involved pouring a glass of ice cold gin while “glancing at a bottle of vermouth” across the room.)

In my Dirty Martini recipe I use Carpano Blanco vermouth. Caprano is aromatic and floral vermouth with bright citrus notes. The residual sugar in its bianco-style makes it a robust match for olive brine in a Dirty Martini.

The Brine

What’s the dirty little secret of a Dirty Martini? Well, brine, of course! But the worst thing is adding a low-quality olive brine to your Martini. Do not use the liquid from an olive jar. It will ruin your cocktail. Boscoli and Dirty Sue are the two olive juice brands that I would recommend you use.

Print

Dirty Martini

If you want to achieve that "James Bond" taste, don't forget: "Shaken, not stirred."

Course Cocktail

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 2

Calories 115kcal

Equipment

• Shaker

Ingredients

• 150 ml Sipsmith® London Dry Gin
• 25 ml Caprano Blanco Dry Vermouth
• 15 ml Boscoli Olive Juice (Brine)
• 4 pcs Green Olives (Pitted)

Instructions

• Put two martini glasses in the fridge to chill for 10-15 mins
• In a cocktail shaker, combine the gin, the dry vermouth, the brine and ice
• Shake well and poor into the martini glasses
• Garnish with olives on stick
• Enjoy!

The post How to make the perfect Dirty Martini? appeared first on Sea Traveller.

Some of the architecture in Barcelona has been around for more then two thousand years. But make sure you take the time to appreciate everything else this spectacular city has to offer. As you wander along the streets, your attention will be captured by the laughter of the locals, the views over the water past the sandy beaches, and the culture that can be found within the numerous museums.

Attractions and Landmarks

One of the first things you should take the time to see while visiting Barcelona is the Sagrada Familia. This iconic attraction was created by Antoni Gaudí and the construction began back in 1882. While this building isn’t completed yet, you will still love every moment you are inside. Other Gaudí sites you might be interested in during your visit include Casa Batlló, Park Güell, and the Gaudí House Museum.

Museums are plentiful in Barcelona, but one of the most popular ones is the Picasso Museum. There is an extensive collection of Picasso’s works inside this museum. You will want to plan a few hours for this museum, because it is within five different stone mansions. In addition to seeing the artwork, you can wander through the courtyards and see the intricate details on each of the staircases.

You cannot spend time in Barcelona and not go to the beach! Barceloneta Beach is one of the best in Europe. You will always find crowds of people there. When you are not out in the water swimming, kitesurfing, or windsurfing, you can relax on the sand and watch the locals.

Other attractions and landmarks you will want to see in Barcelona include the Palau de la Música Catalana, Parc de la Ciutadella, Mirador de Colom, and the Barcelona Chocolate Museum. If shopping while travelling is your thing, then make sure you stop at La Rambla. This is mostly a pedestrian street that is filled with shops, restaurants, and the popular La Boqueria food market.

Must try: Park Güell Admission Ticket or 25+ Museums card

Entertainment and Food

Your days are going to be full of sightseeing in Barcelona, but that doesn’t mean you must do the same thing once the sun sets. After taking the Montjuïc Cable Car to see that magnificent sunset, you can hit up one of the nightclubs or a local theatre like the Palacio del Flamenco. After all, watching a flamenco performance is a must while in this part of the world!

As you are exploring Barcelona, you will want to skip everything listed above. So you can simply eat all the cuisine available in the city! Don’t be surprised if your food orders include platefuls of Spanish omelets, bocadillos, chorizo, croquettas, blistered peppers, and bombas. I recommend ordering sangria to wash it all down for the most authentic Barcelona experience. However, you can order wine or beer if you wish.

Your time in Barcelona is going to fly right on by since there is so much to do and see. I recommend taking your time seeing what you can and leaving a few attractions and landmarks for a future visit.

The post Explore the boundless culture of Barcelona appeared first on Sea Traveller.

CELEBRITY CRUISES

Le Petit Chef

Celebrity Cruises is known for fun yet classy innovations, and for instance, the Le Petit Chef dining experience found on several Celebrity ships falls squarely in line with that reputation.

Le Petit Chef (costs around $55 pp) – animated characters appear beside your plate and prepare each course. The first menu goes with the story line, but you can order off of each. Animation aside, the food was delicious. I recommend it! If you have kids, I think they would find it entertaining. Will they eat the food? That depends on your child. You can watch a short 5 minutes video on my YouTube.

Which Celebrity Ships Have Le Petit Chef?

• Eclipse
• Edge (Le Petit Chef and Friends)
• Equinox (Le Petit Chef and Le Petit Chef and Friends)
• Infinity
• Reflection
• Silhouette

Murano

Murano was by far my favourite of the specialty restaurants. This French Continental restaurant had me at the scallop wellington and the baked goat cheese appetizers.

Hubby and I immensely enjoyed our Chateaubriand for two and their speciality dish lobster Murano, both prepared tableside. The Grand Marnier soufflé was one of the best I’ve ever had. Moreover, if you decide not to order dessert, don’t worry they bring out a small assortment of fine chocolate. I highly enjoyed the wine recommended by the sommelier.

The service here is impeccable.

Moveable Feast

Celebrity Cruises do a culinary partnership with Fine Cooking magazine and its Emmy Award-nominated public television series Moveable Feast. The cruise line and the food magazine introduced Moveable Feast with Celebrity Cruises.

In order to celebrate the partnership, Celebrity has launched Moveable Feast Signature Sailings from 2017. Although I’ve never done one, the reviews highly recommend these sailings, because the voyages have a culinary angle and onboard guests can interact with some of Moveable Feast’s most talented celebrity chefs.

In addition, those onboard get the opportunity to meet Top Chef All-Stars winner chef Richard Blais and Top Chef finalist chef Bryan Voltaggio, dine on their impressive dishes, and even join them on a Chef’s Market Discoveries excursion, where they’ll assist guests in shopping for ingredients and preparing a private dinner on the ship.

If that’s not immersive enough, there are also cooking demos and private classes offered to help passengers hone their cooking skills throughout the journey.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL

Wonderland Restaurant on Symphony of the Seas

Stepping into the Rabbit Hole to Explore the Whimsical Dining Experience at Wonderland. The experience at the two-storey topsy-turvy restaurant begins upstairs. From the entrance of a mystical tunnel with a door that does not appear to go anywhere, to a delightful seating arrangement of quirky decor with chairs that do not know them up from their down. For instance, everywhere you turn there is something curious such as chairs with rabbit ears or keys hanging from the ceiling. Unlock Wonderland for an intimate restaurant within an edgy and surreal dining experience.

Firstly, you will visit the bar with a menu that any mixologist would be proud of. Try the “Down the Rabbit Hole” or the “Cheshire Cat Cosmo” they are pretty spectacular.

Our “mad hatter” for the night in Wonderland was ‘”Marlon Brando”. In other words, a waiter dressed in an aubergine-coloured velveteen long-tailed coat. Juggling several busy tables, he relished his part in our dinner production show.

A five-course meal then followed (you certainly will not leave hungry!). Five core elements differentiate the dishes – sun, ice, fire, sea, and earth. Few pictures can be be found on my Instagram profile.

The restaurant is available on a few Royal Caribbean ships – The Symphony of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, and it is by far my favourite iconic food venue on the cruise line.

P&O CRUISES

The Epicurean Restaurant on Britannia

In the Epicurean restaurant you will be treated to a brand new multi-sensory cooking experience with touches of molecular gastronomy that complement the more classic British dishes, re-interpreted for today’s modern palates. In addition, the sophisticated setting features lots of gold and white decor and somewhat overly bright lighting.

The traditional English afternoon tea is served in the Epicurean restaurant on board and the whole experience is stunning from start to finish.  As you’re seated, you’re served a choice of tea and a sweet violet scent is sprayed across the table. From the classic afternoon sandwiches to the pistachio and strawberry tarts and lemon meringue trifle – the presentation is stunning. Above all, this one of the best iconic food venue on P&O’s Britannia.

The post Iconic Food Venues of Modern Cruise Lines appeared first on Sea Traveller.

The streets of Paris are full of romance and beauty, but there is so much more within this extraordinary destination. The culture, the history, the food, the wine, and even the shopping appears to be so much better in the elegant city of Paris.

Attractions and Landmarks

When you arrive in Paris, you will instantly see the Eiffel Tower. This attraction is so tall that it can’t be missed. You can decide on your own if you want to simply appreciate this wonder from the ground or if a trip to the top is on your must-do in Paris list.

Once you have checked off the Eiffel Tower, you can venture over to the Louvre to see the massive collection of artwork. The Mona Lisa is at the top of everyone’s list, so be prepared to capture a quick glance before being ushered past this magnificent piece. It is best to prepare your visit to this museum in advance, because it can take days to see it all. Therefore, choosing which exhibits you want to see the most can help you walk out the doors a little sooner.

A little relaxing, as well as enjoying a quick lunch, is possible within the Jardin du Luxembourg. Although, the same is possible over at Tuileries Garden by the Louvre.

The Notre Dame is not as glorious as it once was, thanks to the recent fire. However, you can still enjoy parts of this cathedral. Plus, it won’t be long until the Notre Dame is a gorgeous as it once was, both inside and out.

Other must-see attractions within Paris include the Place de la Concorde, the Paris Opera House, Musee d’Orsay, and the Arc de Triomphe. If you have the time, you can also do a day trip to the Palace of Versailles.

Must try: Eiffel Tower Stair Climb or River Seine Cruise

Entertainment and Food

Incredible nights in Paris begin with romantic dinners and long strolls under the moonlight. However, you can also see an opera performance at the Opera House or catch a performance over at the Theatre du Chatelet. Moulin Rouge is another popular nighttime hotspot where you can combine dinner with a couple hours of fun watching the dancers up on the stage.

Many of the nightclubs and bars offer live music too, so you can dance until you can’t dance any more.

While you may have a difficult time determining what to see first and what to do in this city, you will never have a hard time determining when you should eat. The reason for this is the answer is all day, and all night, long!

There are so many food options available in Paris and you are going to want to try it all, while sipping on some of the best wine in the entire world. Mornings should always begin with a fresh baguette, as well as a croissant or two. There are many delicious French cheeses to go with both these items, so you should pick some of those up as well.

Duck confit makes an excellent main meal, but so do steak frites. Dessert will bring many options, but the most popular are the macaroons. If you do not want those, you can choose eclairs or some tasty chocolate.

Paris is a city that you will fall in love with instantly and you are never going to want to leave. When that happens, I recommend simply starting to book your next visit, long before it is time to board your plane back home.

The post Romancing the beauty of Paris appeared first on Sea Traveller.

Cozumel offers a different peek into the authenticity of Mexico, because it is not as touristy and spirited as both Cancun and Playa del Carmen. This unique look will have you exploring the quieter parts of the country, while still experiencing the thrills that this energetic part of the world offers.

Attractions and Landmarks

One of the most popular things to do down in Cozumel is spending time at the beach. But there are so many to choose from. If you can’t visit them all, you must choose between Punta Sur Eco Beach Park and Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park. As soon as you have had that downtime in the sun, it will be time to have a little fun.

Start with a swim with the dolphins at Dolphinaris Cozumel. Or learn about the culture and history of Cozumel at the Discover Mexico Cozumel Park. The Cha’an Ka’an Planetario also offers interacting fun during the day and some nights of the week.

A visit to the Cozumel Pearl Farm will have you snorkelling out by the pearl hatchery and touring the lab. The nearby white sandy beach will be inviting, but you won’t want to spend much time there if you want to see the marine life over at Cozumel H20.

Out of all the Cozumel attractions and landmarks, the Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen Itza is one that holds the most history. This sacred site was one of the greatest Mayan centres of the Yucatan peninsula. This UNESCO-listed complex is set amidst spectacular wilderness, less than 260 km from Cozumel. The proximity to the sparkling waters of the Caribbean Sea; its eminent cultural and historical importance; not to mention its awe-inspiring beauty; are what makes this site an absolutely unmissable attraction when on a tour of Mexico.

Must try:  Glass Bottom Boat Tour or Reef Snorkelling

Entertainment and Food

The nightlife and entertainment in Cozumel are a little more laidback than anywhere else in Mexico. A favorite entertainment option for many in Cozumel is simply wandering around Malecon to watch the sun as it sets in the sky.

If you need a little more excitement for your entertainment, you can head to a local bar for some live music. The area around Parque Benito Juarez has many local bars, but you will find some touristy options in Malecon as well.

The local cuisine in Cozumel is amazing and you will quickly discover that you love all the new flavors your taste buds are experiencing. A few foods you must try when you are vacationing in Cozumel include cochinita pibil, pescado frito, pazole, huarache, empanadas, chilaquiles, and ceviche.

A trip to Cozumel will be a lot different than a visit to many other parts of Mexico. It is because this destination offers a lot more tranquillity and relaxation. Enjoy that downtime as you have fun exploring every inch of this beautiful area.

The post Experience the calming beauty of Cozumel appeared first on Sea Traveller.