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.

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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.

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The city of Miami has so much to offer. From the sparkling water on the beaches and vibrant culture at the galleries to the fragrant gardens and enticing nightlife, this city has it all. Add in the uniqueness of the locals, as well as the ability to do something new every day and you will fall in love with this southern Florida destination.

Attractions and Landmarks

After your flight to Miami, you will be more than ready to stretch your legs. This activity can be accomplished anywhere, but it is best done down by Biscayne Bay. This waterfront area is also home to the Bayside Marketplace, so you can do a little shopping at the same time. However, we recommend heading out on a little boat tour to see where the celebrities live along the shorelines of this bay.

A walk through the Art Deco District should be next on your list. This area changes completely as daytime turns into night. You may want to visit at different times to check out the ambience. If this part of Miami is not for you, then a walk through the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens may pique your interest.

If you have time during your vacation in Miami, you must make the short drive to Everglades National Park. This is where you can ride in a high-speed airboat to see the alligators, crocodiles, snakes, and birds that live within this part of the state.

Before you leave Miami, you must spend a little time on the many different beaches. Miami Beach is an excellent place to start, but make sure you venture down to South Beach as the sun sets for an extraordinary experience.

Must try:  Half-Day Open-Top Bus and 90-Minute Boat Tour or Everglades National Park Airboat Tour

Entertainment and Food

The nightlife in Miami is talked about around the world. There are so many options that don’t include hanging out on South Beach, so plan your nights accordingly. Live theatrical performances can be seen at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, but it is all about the slot machines and gaming tables over at the Miccosukee Resort and Casino.

Wine tastings are best done at Schnebly Redland’s Winery, but you will find many others to visit in Miami. When it comes to food, you will find a lot of local dishes to try. Chicharrón should be at the top of your list. This dish is basically fried pork skin, but it will melt in your mouth if it is prepared properly. If you want to eat this dish, you must order it at El Palacio de los Jugos.

Other popular local dishes include stone crab, arepas, ceviche, and mofongo. Oh, and don’t forget the key lime pie, because it is a refreshing treat at any time of the day.

You will love every minute you spend in Miami and the time you are there will go by so quickly. Embrace the feelings you experience, because you will want to remember them forever.

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Those who love to read will discover that Odessa is a destination that could have come straight off the pages of a book with its architecture, history, and even its touristy sights and sounds.  Add in the beaches covered with soft sand and you have a destination that you will fall in love with the moment you arrive.

Attractions and Landmarks

One of the first things you should do when arriving in Odessa is walk along the harbour.  This long stroll will have you enjoying the slight breeze from the water, while you get your bearings and see how important this area is to the city.

If you still have energy to burn after your long flight, you can take a run up the Potemkin Stairs before admiring the works of art at the Museum of Modern Art.  Rest and relaxation can be found on Lanzheron Beach, although, you may be lured away from the sand by the Nemo Dolphinarium that is located close by.

Architectural delights might be everywhere in Odessa, but it will be Vorontsov Palace that will capture your interest the most.  This palace was constructed back in 1827, and while it is no longer used as a fortress or residence, the history lives on inside this cultural arts centre.

One of the last attractions on your list of things to do should be the Odessa Catacombs.  These catacombs can be found down beneath the city and are comprised of a massive network of tunnels that are easy to get lost in.  I recommend taking a tour to visit the catacombs or you may find yourself down there a lot longer than you planned!

Must try: Catacombs of Odessa Tour or The Courtyards of Old Odessa

Entertainment and Nightlife

Theatrical performances are plentiful in Odessa. You will have many different options to see them during your visit.  Perhaps you will want to consider the Odessa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre. Or Odessa Regional Philharmonic Society, Odessa Regional Puppet Theatre, and the Urban Music Hall. There are many others if you will be staying in the area longer.

Many young people came to see the opera. Two tickets cost about 20 EUR at the balcony first floor (bought online). I am not an opera fan but the place is amazing. Me and my partner spent a nice evening with a glass of champagne and caviar.

Other entertainment options outside of the theatre realm include parachuting, go-kart racing. Even diving into the waters surrounding this beautiful part of the world. Odessa is one of the cities around the globe that never sleeps. You will want to check out one of the infamous nightclubs during your visit.

Fabulous Cuisine

I bet you will get very hungry as you are exploring Odessa. And while you can find many different types of cuisines, you will want to taste some of the traditional dishes. Khinkali is a dumpling that is filled with different meats and herbs. It also could be found as mushrooms and cheese. While you can eat this dumpling on its own, it tastes amazing in soup too.

If you love cheese, you will want to try the brinza when you visit Odessa. This type of goat cheese is available in many different varieties and you can find them all at the local markets.  If you are looking for a hearty dish, you will not need to look any further than the Odessa-Style Bouillabaisse. This broth may be found all over the world, but the locals in Odessa have put their own twist on this dish, making it a must-try.

Odessa is quite the unique destination and it shows with the attractions, landmarks, entertainment, and even the cuisine. If you are ready for something different on your next vacation, Odessa must be at the top of your list of options.

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