From centuries-old bazaars to glitzy strip malls, shopping in Istanbul runs the gamut. Whether you’re looking to take back hand-made local crafts as souvenirs, or need some serious retail therapy, you’re bound to find plenty of places to lose yourself shopping in Istanbul. Bazaars Whether or not you actually plan on shopping at any of the bazaars in Istanbul, you … Read More
Istanbul Museum Guide
If you’re visiting Istanbul for a few days, you may want to invest in a museum pass. This pass is 85TL (about $30) and grants entry to the following museums and attractions for 120 hours from your first visit: Hagia Sophia Museum, Topkapı Palace Museum, Istanbul Archaeological Museums, Mosaic Museum, Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, Museum for the History of Science and Technology in Islam, Chora Museum, Galata Mevlevi … Read More
Istanbul for Beginners
Istanbul has always been considered the point where East meets West, both culturally and geographically. It spans both sides of the Bosphorus Strait which separates Europe from Asia, making it the most iconic transcontinental city in the world. It was once the seat of the Holy Roman Empire and the Ottoman Empire, making places like the Hagia Sophia a historical gem … Read More
Itinerary and Price Breakdown: Two Weeks in Turkey
A few years ago Shane put together my dream trip to Turkey. At that time we had no idea how much it would cost and we were happily surprised to discover it’s one of Europe’s cheapest destinations. With plenty to see and good transportation networks, their tourism industry is thriving and it has topped TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice awards for a few years now. … Read More
Books and Mementos: Cuba
I try to read a book about every place I visit to give me a bit of insight into the culture. Consider this book, Dreaming in Cuban, a short glimpse into a small window of a multigenerational Cuban home. Though brief, it did gave me a little context in which to view Havana and the customs of the Cuban people, touching on topics like the white clothed Santería … Read More
Dining in Mexico City: Food Pics!
For a city of 21 million, you can imagine how vast and diverse the eating options must be in Mexico City! Having grown up in South Texas, we knew what to expect of this cuisine and sought out our favorites that are sometimes surprisingly hard to find in our beloved Tex-Mex (Tex-Mex and traditional Mexican food can be quite different). Our short … Read More
Museo Frida Kahlo at Casa Azul
If you’re planning a trip to Mexico, you should definitely be familiar with this artistic genius couple: Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Many people have seen details of their life from the Selma Hayek-led movie, Frida. But did you know you can visit their home in Mexico City? Museo Frida Kahlo (Casa Azul) Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday, 10–5:45 | Wednesday, Saturday, 11–5:45 Entry … Read More
Getting to Teotihuacán
Teotihuacan is an ancient site located 50 km northeast of Mexico City. It was founded in the 1st century AD and remains one of the most important architectural sites of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. Its structures are spread along the 2km main avenue, the Calzada de los Muertos (Avenue of the Dead). This site is famous for its pyramids as well as its multi-level … Read More