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Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Monday, January 16, 2017
Galicia: Spain's Hidden Gem of Witchcraft and Wizardry
To See is to Believe…
Galicia may not have a place on your list of upcoming
destinations, but in a country still working through its identity crisis
(Madrid wanting to be London, Barcelona just wanting to be alone), the
autonomous region in North-West Spain has managed to carve out its own little
niche as the land that time forgot. Relying upon its wedding to traditions of
superstition and witchcraft to attract tourists, the region is able to
differentiate itself from the rest of the country and it’s only a matter of
time before it starts to pay off. Here’s why the region why Galicia may well be
one of the most underrated destinations in Europe in 2017!
As always, be sure to follow us on Instagram to stay up to date with all of our goings-on and don't hesitate to get in touch with comments/ questions!
As always, be sure to follow us on Instagram to stay up to date with all of our goings-on and don't hesitate to get in touch with comments/ questions!
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The seafront town of Caion bathed in sunset |
First off, let’s sort out that empty stomach!
Let’s face it, travelling on an empty stomach is not only
undesirable, it may as well be impossible. Luckily, Galicia has you covered.
It’s location along the Costa da Morte (coastline of death) may sound ominous
but we like to think that it is your hunger that is being killed rather than
the countless shipwrecks the rocky coast is famous for… totally makes us feel
more at ease when jumping into the sea. It is here, in the most reclusive
region of Spain that you will experience the true Spanish cuisine as restaurants
such as the famous O Fogar do Santiso near Santiago serve up culinary delights
such as octopus cooked in the traditional style of this maritime state. The
only thing you may struggle with is saving space for desert!
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Just a castle on an island in a bay |
Liquid courage anyone?
I mean, what kind of holiday isn’t paired with a healthy
glass (or three) of a local drink? With a rich history of wine production in
the Rias Baixas, Galicia has you covered, all you have to do is decide white or
red? If however wine is not to your fancy, be sure to take a swig of the
locally produced orujo, a herbal liquor usually served after lunch to get you
ready for the afternoon’s activities.
The land of witchcraft and wizardry
Hogwarts may be where they learn their craft, but Galicia is
definitely where witches go to perform their spells! This superstition is
perhaps best observed at the burning of the queimada, an alcoholic drink set on
fire in a clay cauldron whilst a centuries’ old incantation is sung over it,
calling for the drink to rid the recipients of the devil that threatens them…
Think Macbeth, but with people videoing it on their camera-phones.
Interestingly, this obsession with superstition, witches and owls goes
hand-in-hand with the fervent religious sentiment in the region in which every
village has their own Church, Saints’ holidays and Catholic practices. It is
this blend of the two that makes the Gallego culture uniquely fascinating!
Wander-Lust
With a blend of both small cities (La Coruna, Vigo) and
rural villages, it is perhaps no surprise then that Galicia is perfect for a
small escape from the realities of a stressful life. However, while its
water-filled forest areas such as Verdes and volcanic spa pools in Ourense (we
promise not all of the water is from the rain!) are perfect for taking a
relaxing hike in, it is in the Camino de Santiago that the region has attracted
worldwide attention. Through the promise of good food, great wine and a true
escape from reality, El Camino (the world’s 3rd largest pilgrimage)
attracts thousands of walkers every year to its romantic Cathedral where locals
profess to have the remains of St. James buried. With various starting points
that can make the route last anywhere from 5 to 35 days, the Camino de Santiago
is the ultimate form of escapism, forcing walkers to live off the generosity of
others in communal hostels and what can be attained in cafés along the way.
Bring your dancing shoes!
Great so you’ve had your fill of nature and food for the day
and just want to dance… Perfect. Forget those dingy bars and clubs that you’re
used to because Galicia in the summer has an ace up its sleeve. Throughout the
summer months, every village has its own little party to celebrate the passage
of time, bringing in a live band or two and an open-air bar designed specifically
to get both locals and visitors dancing. Arrive around midnight to get a hang
of the Latin flavour as well as a few early drinks in before jumping in. With
many fiestas lasting until late morning the next day, it may be an idea to pick
up some churros for breakfast before moving on!
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The finishing line of the Camino de Santiago |
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Monday, January 9, 2017
My Fairytale Drive: Why You Should Road Trip Through the Scottish Highlands in 2017
“Scotland. A Spirit of Its Own”
That’s the phrase that the Scottish tourist board have gone for and, to be honest, they could not have been more accurate. Blending a unique landscape with a ‘frontier’ feel brings forth a sense of adventure more akin to a fairytale than a nation in the United Kingdom. Even Scotland’s cities, embracing its cobbled streets, winding alleyways, and historical moments – both positive and otherwise – makes wandering around constantly interesting. With this in mind, and with 2017 now just around the corner, we thought we’d highlight why a road trip around Scotland should be one of your resolutions for the coming year!
(This article first appeared on Rakbo in January 2017, go check em out!)
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Mood Skye-high on the islands |
The Starting Point:
Boasting an almost-unheard of number of artisan café’s and shops alongside historical features like Edinburgh Castle and natural sites such as Arthur’s Seat (the volcano [yes… VOLCANO] just outside the city-centre), the walking city of Edinburgh is the perfect starting point for your adventure! For those wanting to get straight to the highlands the bridge over the Firth of Forth is the easiest way to dreamland while those with more time can follow the road north to Stirling and spend a day traipsing around castles.
With sights like these around every corner its a miracle you drive far at all! |
It’s Pretty…
When tv shows such as Outlander as well as scenes from Harry Potter and James Bond are filmed on Scottish moors, you know you’re in for an aesthetic treat and you won’t be disappointed. From the ‘Fairy Pools’ on the Isle of Skye to the small seaside cove at Pitlochry, the natural undisturbed landscape of the Scottish Highlands will make you run the batteries out on your camera as you ceaselessly try to put what you can see onto film.
Boat trip anyone? |
… Like Really Pretty
Like too much pretty to put under one heading. Honestly, the reason we suggest this as a road trip is not just the freedom to travel on your own time rather than a public transport schedule (which is shocking up there by the way – just a heads up), but it is the fact that every time you drive up another Col, through another mountain range, alongside another loch or even turn a bend, you are going to be begging the driver to stop to be able to properly appreciate the view.
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Even our morning runs were interrupted by photo opportunities! |
Culture and History
Now if you are able to tear your eyes away from the pretty natural landscapes, you may just be able to spot some unique Highland culture and history. As a nation of people keen to emphasize their separateness from England (just read their tourist slogan again) both now and historically, Scotland has managed to maintain its unique culture and language (albeit to a lesser extent) and there is nowhere better to see this than the Highlands. From the Gaelic place-names sharing space on road-signs with their English counterparts to kilts, castles and even reports of a monster living in Loch Ness, Scotland has it all to keep you both puzzled and engrossed throughout your trip. Throw in a Highland-cow sighting and you’ve successfully completed the Scottish ‘bingo’.
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Would you believe that this is the capitol city? |
Escape to Freedom:
With the focus on nature, it is therefore no surprise that, in the Highlands, you are in an almost constant state of being alone. The relative scarcity of towns on the narrow winding roads leads you to feel as though you are quite literally separate from civilization a feeling propelled by the rarity with which you will be able to get any form of phone signal let alone 4g! While not ideal for everyone in this Instagram-dominated world, the ability to switch off for a week and slip into the fairytale-esque setting is a rare blessing nowadays!
Got any other tips or tricks for traveling through Scotland? Get in touch!
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Thursday, January 5, 2017
The January Sales.. It's Time to Treat Yo'Self!
Back to normality? Pfft, not without these goodies!
So, with December
coming to a close over the weekend, the January sales are well and truly
underway. This means that, not only has a new excuse arisen to treat yourselves
(as if we needed another!), but that it is also time to start thinking about
those New Year’s resolutions and what destinations they will take you to! With
that in mind we thought that we would give you a rundown of 5 travel goodies to
pick-up this sale season!
Be sure to follow us
on Instagram and tumblr for all the latest goings on and let us know what your
travel essentials are!
Not even a gloomy Hangzhou sky could ruin your holiday with these in your bag! |
4-Way USB Charger
Let's face it, we
would be lost without our gadgets. While travellers of years passed would have
panicked as they realised their only map had just been torn to shreds in their
rucksack, our generation reserve that kind of reaction for when the warning,
5% battery left* notification pops up on our phones. This is especially
troubling while abroad as, not only are our phones both a map and a source of
information, but there is often a worrying scarcity of plugs to charge them at.
This is where this little gem comes in. Having bought one for the Camino de
Santiago where there is usually about 1 socket for every 15 people, it has
quickly become my go-to charger, allowing me to charge up to 4 things at once
through its various inputs and hey, don't need all 4? Offer one up to a fellow
traveller and save them the heart attack the next day!
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Can you imagine not having enough battery to take shots of sights like these? |
Spotify Premium
Okay so you've got
your gadgets charged up, now all you have to do is survivor that bus/ train/
plane ride, and here's where Spotify comes in. With the removal of ads and the
ability to download playlists to your phone to be able to be played offline,
not only guarantees to brighten up your journeys, but allows you to brighten up
any day by providing the soundtrack to your adventure. Get bored of your songs?
That's fine, just check in at a Wi-Fi hotspot and download a tonne more. Just
try not to get too distracted and nearly miss your flight (we are urm totally
not speaking from experience…).
![]() |
Artwork works best with good company |
Foldable raincoat
We all love to think
that our travels are going to contain nothing but sunshine but, well
unfortunately, rain is a bit of a thing. Despite this however we here at latte
wanderer often forgot to pack a raincoat, opting to hope for the best than
prepare for the worst (well that and we could just never find the space in our
bag after fitting that second fancy shirt, just in case…). That was until we
picked up one of these raincoats.
Thin enough to fold into any space in your bag yet waterproof enough to protect
you from the rain, coats such as these are sure to keep you out and about while
the weather stands against you.
Not even the rain can keep you away |
As with the USB charger,
this one is relevant to everyone as, no matter where you’re staying, you can
always do with a towel. After all, according to the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the
Galaxy, “a towel is the most important
item a Hitchhiker can carry” (wow, we feel old right now)! However, unlike
their cumbersome equivalents, these towels are both lightweight and able to fit
into any small gap that may exist in your bags. Add to that their uncanny
ability to dry in a matter of minutes and you have a perfect companion for any
hiking trip or holiday where you may be taking your own!
Okay so with the
towel, raincoat, charger and Spotify sorted you are now ready to go on an
adventure. You’re prepared for poor weather, limited accommodation and
troubling days which leaves only one thing... going online. While we love the
feeling of checking out of reality while away from home, there are moments
where an internet connection is needed (and not just to make friends jealous
with your Instagram pictures)! With public Wi-Fi often tough to find and
usually unreliable, Skyroam is a viable alternative. With pricing around $8 for
a 24hr day-pass that provides an unlimited and secure internet connection,
Skyroam promises to keep you connected throughout your journey as and when you
need it.
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Some pictures you just want to share ASAP |
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Tuesday, December 27, 2016
The Empire Coffee Building: Your Guide to New York's Coffee Scene
It's a Caffeine State of Mind
Boasting a
mean roast and a vast number of independent artisanal coffee stores, New
Yorkers are spoilt for choice when it comes to topping-up their caffeine fix.
So, with that in mind, we eschewed the main streets and the shining Starbucks
signs (because of course we would) and headed out in search of good coffee.
Here we go, below is our top 5 coffee shops in New York City.
Have any
other recommendations? Be sure to get in touch on Instagram or tumblr as well
as being sure to subscribe and follow us to keep up to date with everything
coming up!
Reunion's qualities go beyond its coffee |
Homecoming: 107 Franklin St, Brooklyn
Part flower
shop, part coffeehouse, Homecoming is a unique spot in Williamsburg to get your
coffee fix. Despite its minimal seating (just a couple of seats at the front
and an outside area for when the sun is shining), Homecoming’s tasty coffee and
quirky vibe makes it a great spot to take a quick break from your meandering of
the artsy Williamsburg streets.
TRY: Taking the setting in mind,
it’s no surprise that the flowery flavour extends to the menu, with the chai
latte and hibiscus doughnut topping our list of recommendations!
Coffee with a side of flowers |
Greecologies:
379 Broome Street, New York
Located just across Brooklyn Bridge in the Italian area of
town, Greecologies is a coffee-stop with a difference in that it specialises in
on-site made yogurt. Using a combination of traditional and modern techniques,
Greecologies is able to combine a modern interior design with good coffee and a
unique snack to coax yourself through your day (if the comfy seats and wifi
doesn’t distract you first)!
TRY:
Their modern-made yogurt with banana slices, cocoa nips, sesame seeds and honey
is to die for.
Greecologies' yogurt is worth a visit on its own |
Reunion: 544 Union Avenue, Brooklyn
Also in Williamsburg, Reunion is a caffeine pit-stop that may
just convince you to stay for a meal. With a fantastic aesthetic, Reunion’s
menu takes inspiration from the owners’ Israeli-roots to offer an interesting
selection of food to go along with your coffee. With its friendly staff and cosy
atmosphere, a quick visit may well be enough to turn this Union Avenue staple
into a regular trip!
TRY: For
the caffeine-needy, their chai latte is fantastic but if you have some free
time, you can’t go wrong with their falafel starter!
Reunion, the perfect combo of food and caffeine |
Brooklyn
Roasting Company: 25 Jay Street, Brooklyn
They may be
all over the place (well, in a few different locations across the city at
least), but their home will always be Jay Street. Roasting a selection of
small-batch beans from acros the world, Brooklyn Roasting Company’s fairtrade
and organic coffee is brewed on site within view of their grinding machines.
With a stable wifi connection as well as a good selection of pastries, a
juice-bar and a book store on-site (not to mention the exposed-brick interior),
this is a coffee shop you could easily spend all day in working on whatever you
need done and not even notice the hours roll by! Need to stretch your legs? With
the water-front park just across the street, this is the ideal space to park-up
all day.
TRY: Have a sweet-tooth? Their
maple shay surely won’t disappoint.
That vintage aesthetic had us purring! |
Absolute
Coffee: 327 Atlantic Avenue,
Brooklyn
Staying in Brooklyn, Absolute Coffee is a neighborhood
favorite. Easily reached on the A and C metro line, this cute coffee stop may
soon become a regular journey. Brewing a wide range of unique roasts, Absolute
is perfect for people looking for a good coffee to see them through their
morning tasks. For the more adventurous visitor, the store also carries maps of
Brooklyn’s different districts, outlining the city’s independent stores, restaurants,
and services, making this a fantastic starting point for an exploration-filled
day!
TRY:
Take a look-see at what they’re brewing that day and consider a filter coffee to
get you on your way.
Absolute-ly ready for an adventure! |
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Monday, December 19, 2016
3 Simple ideas to Save Money on your Travels!
Attention: Adventures needed!
Travelling, I’m sure you know, is a hell of a lot of fun
but, unfortunately, can also be extremely expensive. For this reason, we here
at Latte Wanderer decided we would fill you in on a few different techniques
you can use to shave a few pounds off of your next trip! After all, the more
money you save on flights and accommodation, the more you can spend on the
experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.
As usual, be sure to follow us on Instagram for all the latest
news as well as Rakbo, a new online magazine I write for full of articles and
advice on topics from travelling to studying to interior design!
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles:
Right so you’ve chosen your destination and already have an
idea of what you want to see, now you just have to actually get there. The best
way to get there often depends on where it is that you’re going. Within America
for example the best way Is often to drive. Joining together with friends and
driving across America on your holiday will not only save you money (especially
when you factor in just how expensive planes are on that side of the world!),
but can also be a great way to give you more freedom en-route, allowing you to
take detours to other points of interests! Thankfully, in more connected
continents such as Europe and Asia, you have a number of alternatives when it comes
to travelling, including high-speed trains and low-cost flights.
By now it is fairly common for people to use
price-comparison sites such as Skyscanner in order to find the best deals on
flights but price guarantees and money-back schemes are often less-used. Companies
like Expedia that offer to match your lowest price (and give you a voucher
off your next trip) on anything from planes, trains and hotels are can be
combined with money-back sites such as Quidco that give you cashback for going
through them. It may only be few pounds but every penny counts, not to mention
that you can earn miles with each purchase! Oh, it’s also worth doing your
checking on incognito mode, sites that track cookies can tell if you’re looking
for flights and are more likely to give you a higher cost…
For people in the UK you can also pop down to your local
train station and pick up a 16-25 railcard that gives you 33% off train tickets
(London to Edinburgh for less than £40? Yes please!).
Accommodation:
Unfortunately, accommodation can often the most expensive
part of a trip, adding up as the days go on. Fortunately for those of us who
travel with the intention of our accommodation being solely a base from which
we can go on our adventure, it becomes a lot easier to put up without the
little luxuries on offer in hotels in return for more spending money! For
people on a shoestring budget, hostels are definitely a good way to go, with
companies like YHA (in the UK) providing an extensive range in accommodation
throughout the country for cut-prices compared to their hotel counterparts.
Alternatively, there is always Airbnb. As I eluded to in a prior article, not
only can staying in an Airbnb be a far more interesting way to experience a new
place than a standard hotel, but with many of them below £30 a night, it can also be the cheapest!
- Still need convincing? Click here to get £30 off your next Airbnb booking! -
- Still need convincing? Click here to get £30 off your next Airbnb booking! -
Packing:
So you’ve sorted out your flights at a cut-price rate and
snagged yourself some accommodation that doesn’t break the bank. The next step?
Your bags. We all love having an outfit for every occasion, but how often do
you ever actually wear it all? Airlines are notorious for adding on extra fees
for every small detail of you trip, but none is more avoidable than the checked
bag cost. It may not seem like much with prices from £20 for the cheapest
checked luggage, but when you consider that it may well be half empty for a
short city-break and that that price is only one-way, it becomes an avoidable
expense that you could easily spend better enjoying your destination!
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Thursday, December 15, 2016
Why an Airbnb may be the way forward on your next trip
Searching for accommodation for your next holiday?
So you’ve booked your flights, next step? Accommodation.
Targeting a combination of tourists and business-travelers, hotels are
undoubtedly the easiest and most luxurious way to travel, but personally,
unless a resort holiday is what you want, we would book an Airbnb over a hotel
90% of the time. Yes, there is a little more research that needs to go into
booking an Airbnb over a hotel (pictures, location, reviews of the property as
well as reviews of the host themselves) but, staying in one can be so much more
rewarding than staying in a conventional hotel and, for around the same price
as a hostel, should definitely be strongly considered whatever your budget.
Here’s why…
Location:
The general consensus is that hotels are dominant in ‘tourist’
areas, but what if you don’t want to be surrounded by tourist amenities? With a
wealth of options that span the entirety of the city (spots in Mexico City
range from city-centre flats to out of town villas), Airbnb properties ensure
that you are never too far from anything you want to see. The fact that these are
houses owned by locals also means that you have a higher likelihood of finding
a bed on your more remote travels, something never more clearly seen than in
the Scottish Highlands where a brief look in the area surrounding Smoo Cave
shows a solitary SYHA hostel that seems to be fully booked from now until
eternity or several close Airbnb options.
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Think this dog fancies a game of fetch? |
Price:
Now of course there are going to be luxury apartments on Airbnb
in every city that are comparable to the prices of hotels, but in general it is
fairly clear that prices on Airbnb are much more reasonable than their hotel
counterparts. Take Edinburgh for example. A single night in the ‘cheap’ Ibis
hotel in the city centre ranges between £65 to £130 for a room while an Airbnb would
set you back £70 for an entire flat, fitting 4 guests. Add to that the
convenience of having full access to amenities (a host in Memphis provided
unlimited ice-tea in the fridge among other things) and a kitchen and the
choice becomes obvious! Not only is this great as it saves you some pennies in
your pocket, but it also frees up a lot more cash for you to spend throughout
your holiday on the things that actually matter, the experiences!
![]() |
Where better to relax under the stars than this High Desert House in California? |
Expertise:
So this one will change depending on if you’re renting out
an entire flat or just a room, but the expertise of your host cannot be
ignored, after all they’re locals in the place your visiting! While all hotels will
have a concierge service/ office staff there to assist you with your questions,
you’ll rarely find them recommending anything different to the guides designed
for tourists. Your Airbnb host? They’re experts in where the locals go. Best
coffee shop to relax in? They’ve been there. Non-tourist bars? They drink
there. A bipartisan opinion on an attraction? They’re your best bet. It is
often when you go off the beaten path that you discover the heart and soul of
the city and who best to show you the way than someone who is an active part of
the local culture.
![]() |
Dairsie Castle is where you go to live out your Game of Thrones fantasies? |
Uniqueness:
Don’t get me wrong, there are some beautiful hotels around
the world, but unless you are showing me the Hilton in Hawaii (it has penguins
in the foyer, it wins in everything), they all kind of look and feel the same:
glass structures with floor upon floor of corridor, each housing countless near-identical
rooms, there’s just no character to them. That is where Airbnb steps in. Aye,
many may be standard apartments but look beyond those and you’ll find yourself
with the opportunity of staying inside a campsite in the desert, a
cave-dwelling used in Pirates of the Caribbean, a dog-shaped house and even a
Scottish castle… How many people can say that they’ve slept in a medieval
castle?!
![]() |
This house is literally all you ever wanted as a kid... |
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