Whether you are a super fan of art and history, or just want to say you've seen the Mona Lisa, a visit to the Louvre is a must-do if you are in Paris. This fortress turned palace turned gallery is now a massive, sprawling, and overwhelming collection of some of the most important pieces of human history.
Read More10 Things You Must Do When In Oahu, Hawaii
While there are tourist sites, museums, art galleries, and more to see on Oahu, my favorite things to do on the island involve slowing down, taking advantage of the weather, and generally chilling out.
Read MoreWhy Do Nice Hotels Put Chocolates On Your Pillow?
Have you ever stayed at a hotel and discovered a beautifully wrapped chocolate or chocolate mint on your pillow? Have you ever wondered why? A chocolate seems like an odd thing to eat right before you fall asleep and have just brushed your teeth, doesn't it?
Well, we can thank actor Cary Grant for this sweet trend.
Apparently in the early 1950s, Grant was staying at a luxury hotel in St. Louis (the Mayfair Hotel to be exact). He had a women (presumably a mistress, as he was married at the time) meeting him at the hotel, but she arrived before him. Instead of finding an empty suite however, she was met with a trail of chocolates leading from the door, into the bedroom, across the bed and onto the pillow. Grant had requested the chocolate trail because he was going to be late.
Impressed with this thoughtful, luxurious detail, the hotel manger decided that all guests should be greeted with a pleasant surprise that would make them feel appreciated, and started putting chocolates on the pillows in all of his rooms.
The gesture began a trend that was picked up by hotels all over the world, and still continues today!
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Everything You Need To Know About Shopping For Unique and Meaningful Travel Souvenirs
It is inevitable (unless you have A LOT of willpower) that you are going to bring back souvenirs from your travels. But, you have to be careful not to let yourself get swindled or carried away.
Here are a few tips on how to find unique trip mementos and locally made gifts that will remind you of adventure every time you see them, rather than gather dust in the back of your closet.
Don't get lost in the novelty
When immersed in a market in Morocco, it is easy to think that buying a silver tea set with a beautifully etched tray is a fantastic idea. They are cheap, they are everywhere, and they are SO beautiful. BUT, consider this — do you drink tea? If you do drink tea, do you drink it out of tiny cups that will come with your Moroccan tea set, or do you like big, oversized mugs? Basically, will you use this tea set or have a spot in your home to display it, or will it sit in your cupboard? Ask these questions about every purchase you make. Are harem pants really something you will wear outside of Thailand? Do you really need a carving of a camel?
Shop around
Markets or street stalls may seem random and like they have completely unique items, but you will soon notice that a lot of the items sold are mass produced. Wander through the market a few times to get an idea of where you can find the truly unique items before making a purchase.
Check that you are getting what you are paying for before you hand over your money
There are no returns at market stalls, and often the seller will disappear to grab a bag or change for you while still holding your items. Don't leave until you ensure that what is in your bag is what you want. I made the mistake of forgetting to do this, and ended up coming home with two left shoes from Marrakesh.
Research prices
If you want to make sure you aren't getting swindled, do some research ahead of time to figure out the approximate prices for different items. Travel books are a great place to start, but blogs and Google searches can give you some general information as well.
Buy items that you will actually use
I know this sounds like common sense, but it is SO easy to get wrapped up in the novelty of a place when you are actually there. Do you collect art? Buy a piece to add to your collection. Do you read? Purchase some books. Jewellery, scarves, fabrics, lanterns (if you will use them), home decor items, etc are also great options if you have the space and use for them.
Try to buy from local artisans
For really authentic items, and to support local artists, look for stalls that are selling unique handcrafted items (usually the artist will be making them as he/she is selling them), or head out of the marketplace to local boutiques where you will find fewer mass produced items. Then, have a conversation with the artist you are supporting. This will connect your item to a memory, taking you back to that moment every time you see it once you are home.
Haggle, barter and bargain like a pro
Click here for my post about bargaining like an expert to get the best deal that you possibly can — and have some fun in the process.
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Photos That Will Make You Want To Visit Djemaa el-Fna (a UNESCO World Heritage Site!) in Marrakesh
I had heard that Djemaa el-Fna, the gigantic main square in Marrakesh, was an open-air theatre full of action, entertainment and general hoopla, but words can not describe what was waiting for me when I wandered there one night as the sun was setting.
The chaos has been non-stop since the square was the site of public executions in AD 1050 (the name means "assembly of the dead"). It is such an incredible collision of Moroccan culture that Unesco declared it a "Masterpiece of World Heritage" in 2001.
Camera at the ready and all senses on alert, I walked past snake charmers right out of an Indiana Jones flick blasting oboes to calm hissing cobras, fully veiled female henna tattoo artists would suddenly appear beside pulling me towards their stools and monkeys on leashes that sat obediently next to the feet of their owners.
Stalls piled high with figs and oranges were lit by hanging lights and seemingly out of nowhere, benches, tables and cook-tops appeared where chefs were prepping fragrant traditional meals that would break the Ramadan fast for the day. (Apparently what I saw was tame compared to what occurs outside of the month of Ramadan!)
I climbed a steep flight of stairs up to a rooftop patio above the craze of zooming vespas, bicycles, careening taxis and horse drawn carriages while the call to prayer echoed across the square — just in time to watch the sun disappear behind the tower of the mosque. The perfect spot to enjoy the show!
Why You Should Embrace The Travelling Part Of Travelling
"Europe? I would go, but the flight is way too long."
"Don't take the train! It will take you forever. You're better off flying or not going at all!"
"Oh, don't go to that city! It's 3 hours away! Go to the one that is only 30 minutes down the road."
Sound familiar?
If you find yourself still wanting to travel long distances despite comments like these, then you have a kindred spirit in me! I can't tell you the number of times that I hear lamentations from people claiming that they would travel more, but can't stand airports, delays, long drives etc.
But, to me, the travelling part of travelling is often when the magic happens.
Let me explain.
Life is busy, really busy. I rarely give myself permission to sit still, but on a long flight, drive, or travel delay, I am forced to be in one place with nowhere to go, no deadlines, no frantic need to find something to do. My only job is anticipating the next adventure, flipping through a magazine, watching a movie, and sipping on an overpriced (or free if you are on an international flight!) beer.
It's time when I can let my mind wander to places that it has been kept from because of work. I can write about what I want to, and read what I want to.
Even better, once on your plane, bus, or train, everything is out of your hands. You don't have to navigate, drive, worry about getting there on time. If the flight is delayed, the airline has to deal with it. (Ya, delays suck, but really, they aren't the end of the world!). Your only job is to sit back, relax, and let someone else take care of you. How nice does that sound!?
Meeting fellow travellers also adds to the adventure. You never know who is going to sit beside you — trust me, I have met some incredibly interesting people on planes, buses, and at the airport bar!
The travelling part of travelling is also a really great opportunity to see the world around you!
Flights give you an incredible bird's-eye view of the places that you leaving and are going to. I will never forget when I flew over the Atlantic on a clear night and saw the lights from boats underneath us for most of the flight. Incredible.
Long train rides take you through mountains, cities, and landscapes that most roads don't go near, while buses give you a chance to see cities and countryside that you would never see if you stayed in one place.
I'm not going to tell you that a day filled with 9-hour flight, a 3-hour layover, a second 4-hour flight, and then a 2-hour bus ride isn't a long day. But instead of thinking of it as a means to an end or a hinderance to travel, try looking at it as part of the adventure, and maybe you might start to like the travelling part of travelling too!
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7 Things You Must Eat In Morocco
Moroccan cuisine is full of rich flavours, exotic spices, and fresh ingredients — it's a mouth-watering combination!
1. Tajine
Pictured above, these Moroccan stews are cooked in conical earthenware pots that keep the meat incredibly moist and tender. They are incredibly affordable (only a few dollars), full of flavour and usually come with a side of olives and fresh bread.
2. Couscous
No, not that yellow hard stuff that you can buy in the health food section of your grocery store. In Morocco, couscous is a fine, pale, grain-sized, hand-rolled pasta that is lightly steamed with a spiced broth, and served with fresh vegetables, lamb, chicken, or fish. So good.
3. Bread
It may seem strange to some of you, but the bread in Morocco is AMAZING. This is partially because the country was once a French colony, so their round breads and flakey, dense flattened croissants have a melt-in-your mouth Parisian flair to them.
4. Beghrir
This Moroccan version of a pancake is the most incredible breakfast food that I have ever had. It is spongier than a North American pancake, but fluffier than a crepe, and is served with jam or honey.
5. Salad
I know that salad doesn't sound that exciting, but the vegetables are flavoured with fresh herbs and spices, or roasted to create a symphony of flavours bursting with freshness. Is your mouth watering yet?
6. Melon
The watermelons that I ate were more flavourful than any that I have ever tasted. Plus, half a watermelon costs the equivalent of about $0.30!
7. Fresh Orange Juice & Mint Tea
I know, I know, these are things to drink not eat, but no trip to Morocco would be complete without tasting both. Orange juice can be bought in any restaurant or at any street stall for pennies and is made in front of you out of fresh oranges and bottled water. It is one of the most taste-bud satisfying things I have ever tasted — I still have cravings.
Mint tea is unavoidable — the moment you arrive at your hotel, you will be offered tea (it is impolite not to take it). The Moroccan version of this beverage is amazing, but is filled with sugar, so be prepared for that before you take your first sip!
