Just off the Coast

To My fellow Californians:

If you’re ready for a short trip that gives you a chance to get away from it all then Catalina Island is for you. Santa Catalina Island is great place to spend a weekend or just enjoy for a day. Catalina Island is just off the coast of southern California and can be easily reached by the ferry.

View from the Island

 

There are several ferries that you can take to Catalina Island and they take out of several different ports, Long Beach, Dana Point and Newport Beach are just a few options. My personal favorite is the Catalina Express. I have used Catalina Express several times and each time it has been a great experience. After about an hour and a half ride the ferry will dock in Avalon, which is the main city on Catalina Island. 

·         Cost: A roundtrip to Catalina Island will cost you around $72.

·         Tip: Before you book your trip look for coupons and specials to find a better deal. Sometimes the specific websites like Catalina Express will run specials or gives away free tickets. Another great place to find ticket deals is Groupon.

Once you are on the Island there are a variety of things to do. If you’re an avid hiker there are plenty of places to explore. If you’re a more moderate hiker you may like to check out the Wrigley garden which is just a short walk from downtown Avalon. Pretty much everything in Catalina Island is within walking distance but if you don’t feel like walking there are plenty of places to rent bikes or golf carts.

My favorite thing to do when I visit the Island is to go kayaking. If you have never been kayaking before don’t worry its easy. The water around the island is usually crystal clear which makes it easy to see the sea life underneath your kayak. The last time I went kayaking, in March, I saw leopard sharks, dolphins and a very playful seal so your chances of viewing sea life are pretty good.

·         Cost: An hour of kayaking should cost you about $25 per person

·         Tip: Make sure to ask the attendant where a good area to kayak would be. They will probably know the best areas to go and discover some sea creatures and some beautiful views.

If kayaking isn’t for you check out the zip line or spend some time on the beach. To find out more about the history of the island and is famous inhabitants take a tour of the Casino. You can’t miss the Casino; it’s the big round building. Built in the 1920s the Casino on Catalina Islands was seen as its crowning jewel. Filled with intricate artwork and stunning views for those lucky enough to get inside the casino is a great place to learn about Catalina’s history.

View From the Casino Balcony

 

·         Cost: The 1/2 hour version of the tour will cost you only about $10

·         Tip: Check the times of the tours as soon as you get to the Island. Sometime the Casino has only one or two tours a day so finding out the tour times will help you plan your day better.

Catalina Island is a great place to visit with the family, as a date or just for the fun of it. After all your adventures on the Island make sure you save some time to explore the shops and restaurants in Avalon. Catalina Island is a great place to get away from it all without actually going too far. Some tips to remember when you visit the Island:

·         Bring sunscreen. That beautiful California sun shines down on the island and your skin will thank you for some sunscreen.

·         Flip-flops. Some of the beaches on Catalina can be kind of rocky so a pair of flip-flops will help protect your feet.

·         Roaming. If you bring your cell phone be careful, if you get signal, it will probably be on roaming. Make sure you adjust the settings on your phone accordingly.

And my last tip, as with any trip you take, remember that you are visiting someone’s home,  you are a tourist, be curious but also be kind an courteous wherever you go.

Sincerely Yours, Lady of Adventure

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Party in Budapest

When I booked my stay in Budapest I was thinking about the history and beauty of the city, not the party scene. Which as it turns out, is awesome.
Even though I was unaware of the party scene, I chose to stay at a party hostel and it was a good decision.  Every night there was a planned activity that allowed me to explore the bars and events around the city while having some sort of group safety.
 

So what did I do my first night in Budapest? Go on a Pub Crawl! It was a great way to get a sample of the nightlife. The guys that lead the crawl took the group to local places. So we avoided most of the tourist junk. But, whether you book a pub crawl through a tour company or join the hostel crawl make sure you get to see a ruin pub. They are basically building ruins that have lights, tables, and a bar. They can be great lively places to visit and a unique piece of Budapest. 

 

Taken in what might have been mistaken for a dungeon had it not been for the mind-numbingly loud music or the awesome party lights, this pic is from the basement of one of the clubs in Budapest. Yes, I said basement. There were at least three floors to this maze of a club, at one point I wasn't sure if I was above ground or even in the same building. It could have been the confusing floor plan or the many drinks I consumed before we got there. I would love to give you a name for this place but...yeah.

 

On another note there was a whale hanging from the ceiling in this bar. Its not the best picture I've ever taken in a bar but its certainly not the worst. The bars in Budapest are plentiful and very unique. I can't wait to go back and explore some more, and maybe next time I will write down a few of the places I visited so I can find them again.
 

But in Budapest even the unique is traditional want something a little more interesting? Than go to a spa party. What could be better than going to thermal baths and a bar? Well that is exactly what a Spa Party is. Relax in the delicious waters, ride a blow up Dolphin to the bar or just party in the pool. Anything you choose leads to a unique Budapest Party. I'll be honest, I chickened out on this one, and I quickly regretted it. Don't make my mistake! 

There are a number of other options for enjoying the nightlife in Budapest but these are just a few of the more unique options.

 

The number one rule? Make sure you know how to get back to the hostel/hotel. In the dark the city can be a labyrinth of stone buildings so be aware of where you are. Wandering around the dark streets at 5am is not a good idea (trust me, I know). But, in my personal experience the streets in the city center seem pretty safe. But by no means take chances. Use basic safety rules.

That being said,  go get your party on in Budapest!

 

Sincerely yours,  Lady of Adventure

 

 

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Where to Next?

One of the things I always have a hard time with is deciding where to go when I travel. I have so many places that I want to see that deciding on just one or two can be difficult. After struggling with my choice of destination several times I have come up with 3 questions that I ask myself to help me decide.

1.       What time of year is it?

This question is a great place to start when planning a trip. There are so many amazing festivals and events around the world that the time of year can make a huge difference. I won’t be taking cruise to Alaska in December and I won’t want to visit Oklahoma in tornado season. The cherry blossom viewing in Japan, the Balloon festival in New Mexico or the running of the Bulls in Spain are all things on my bucket list and if I get an opportunity to travel during one of those events it’s easy to decide where I am headed too.

 

2.       When will I be able to travel there again?

One of the things I have learned from the jetsetters before me is travel wisely. When you are young and you have the option to travel, choose the destination that is farthest and hardest. If you are deciding between camping in the Sahara and going to Niagara falls. Pick the Sahara. Unless it’s on the very top of your list, save the trips that are easy and closer to home for your retirement years.

3.       Can I Afford it?

This is the ultimate question that all others rely on. Unfortunately the answer to this question is often no. So, I try to shuffle my options to see if I can make the trip cheaper. Can I take a different flight? Can I stay at a hostel instead of a hotel? Will cutting few days off the trip save me money without ruining the experience? Hopefully I can find a happy balance between an amazing travelling experience and not having to sell my car when I get home.

These three main questions will not solve all of your travel decision dilemmas but for me they help put my options into perspective. What questions do you start your travel planning with? How do you decide on your destination?

 

Sincerely yours, Lady of Adventure

 

 

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Candied Oranges from Prague

I had one night in the Putchav Palace in Prague. During my month long adventure in Europe this was the only night I got to myself. No noisy hostel, no semi-clean bed, no shared bathroom (hallelujah!). On my way to the hotel I collected the treats I would eat that night.  A fresh piece of pizza, natural carrot/apple juice, a thin slice of fudge and two candied orange slices dipped in chocolate (yes, I have a major sweet tooth).

I flung open the windows in my room to let in the fresh air, there was a light rain coming down. I turned on my favorite relaxing music and filled the enormous bathtub with delightfully hot water. I sat and enjoyed my tasty little treats. The candied oranges were incredible. Tangy and sweet, perfect. 

Two hours later I crawled into a clean, fluffy bed. I basked in the silence as I fell asleep and dreamed of candied oranges.

After I got home from the trip cabin fever began to set in. With no new adventures in sight, I had to do something to remind me of my last adventure.  Why not make (or try to make) candied oranges?

 

Let the cooking begin! Sugar, water, oranges and chocolate were all part of my remedy for cabin fever.

 

I credit the recipe to http://www.foodandwine.com/chefs/grace-parisi if you want to check it out. But here is a quick view:

 

Pretty simple, right? Don't kid yourself. It takes practice to get them perfect. I ended up making 4 batches of candied oranges and two out of four were good. The other batches were decent but not the best.

(Oranges simmering in the sugar and water mixture)

 

An extra piece of advice, make sure not to over cook the oranges or you will get a jerky-like texture.  The recipe requires the orange peels to simmer for about 10 minutes, It may drive you crazy but don't leave the skillet for more than a minute or two at a time. Until you have practiced the recipe a few times be very attentive to the skillet.

 

(The finished product)

 

Ta-da! Candied oranges. Now, to make them extra delicious melt a little but of chocolate to dip the candied oranges in. I prefer dark chocolate but milk chocolate works too.

 

My favorite part of this delectable treat is that every time I taste it, I think of that night in Prague and every time I share this treat with someone else, I am sharing part of my adventure.

 

Do you have a favorite treat that you discovered while on an adventure? Share the recipe in the comments so that that everyone can have a little taste of the world.

 

 

Sincerely yours, Lady of Adventure

 

 

Don't forget to follow me on Twitter (@LadyofAdventure), Instagram (LadyofAdventure) and Facebook (Lady of Adventure) for lots of fun travel stories, tips and pictures.