Budget Travel Tips, Random, Travel Costs, Travel Deals

How to Buy More than Flights with Your Frequent Flyer Miles

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Just like any other type of rewards program, frequent flyer miles are what you make of them. Many people hoard their points in order to purchase flights, and we’re big proponents of that. After all, getting to fly more often means getting to travel more often, and that means opening yourself up to all the unique experiences and lessons that travel affords.

But redeeming miles for flights isn’t the only way to take advantage of frequent flyer rewards programs. Regardless of whether you fly every week or once a year, here are some surprising ways to get the most out of those points beyond the sky.

The Low-Down on Frequent Flyer Miles

Also called airline miles or travel points, frequent flyer miles are earned by participating in loyalty programs offered by airlines or credit card companies (which may or may not limit participants to earning points on a specific airline).

When it comes to airline loyalty programs, miles can be earned by flying or making purchases at certain stores or restaurants specified by the airline. For credit card programs, miles are earned by making purchases with the participating credit card. These miles can then be redeemed toward flights or commercial goods.

Ready to put those miles to good use? Here’s a run-down of the wide array of options available to points holders.

  • Book a hotel or rent a car. This can be a good option for people who have earned a ton of miles and can’t redeem them for the flights they want. While miles might not be worth quite as much as if you redeemed them for a flight, applying them toward hotels or car rentals can be a great way to plan a vacation without letting points go to waste.
  • Join the club. Some airlines allow travelers to apply miles to an annual club membership. Members enjoy access to airport lounges that typically offer complimentary snacks, beverages, and Wi-Fi in a quiet setting away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the airport. While your miles may have more value when applied directly to flights, no one can deny the allure of a comfortable chair and some peace and quiet.
  • Buy a gift voucher or gift card. These can be exchanged for goods or services at a specific store. By purchasing a voucher instead of a commercial product, you’ll be able to wait to buy the item until it goes on sale, thereby saving some extra cash.
  • Buy merchandise. Most points experts advise against applying miles to merchandise, because it’s rarely the best way to squeeze value out of those points. However, anyone looking to offload extra points (or simply feel like you’ve gotten a new iPhone for “free”), can apply miles to any number of items, from sunglasses, to books, juicers, e-readers, smartphones, laptops, espresso machines, exercise systems, watches, and even furniture.
  • Share the love. Tired of traveling solo? Offer to let friends or family redeem your miles for their own flights. Occasionally it might even make sense to transfer your miles into the other person’s account so they can redeem points for flights on their own. However, most often you’re better off simply making the purchase from your own account on their behalf.

When it comes down to it, how you use frequent flyer miles is up to you. While you’re likely to get the most value by booking flights, you earned those points and they’re yours to dispose of—so if an espresso machine is calling, we promise we won’t judge.

 

Travel Necessities, Travel Plans, Travel Thoughts

The Business Traveler’s Guide to Staying Healthy on the Go

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While traveling for work can at times be stressful, it can also provide a nice break from the day-to-day grind of an office job. Then again, breaks from routine can be a catch-22. When it comes to health, for example, experts often suggest the power of habit can be key to everything from a good night’s sleep to a nutritious diet a reality.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at three of the biggest hurdles to staying healthy on the go, along with tips on how to overcome them.

Beating Jet Lag

Switching between time zones can wreak havoc on some, with the World Health Organization listing everything from general sleepiness to reduced mental performance to indigestion as possible side effects. Beating jet lag is relatively simple, though. Besides making sure you’re well-rested before departure, the key is to get your body into the new rhythm as quickly as possible. More specifically:

  • Begin the transition before you travel. As the CDC suggests, simply start going to bed an hour or two later than usual if you are going to be traveling west and reverse that shift if you’ll be traveling east.
  • Once you get to your destination, resist the urge to collapse and take a nap as soon as landing and instead stay awake at least until an early local bedtime — even if it means you rise extra early the next morning.

Fueling Up

Food plays a large role in health as well, but the phrase “eating healthy” is a vague one that likely has different connotations for each traveler. Regardless of what it means to you, the main suggestion remains the same: Be prepared. No matter how or where you’re traveling, preparation is the main ingredient to keeping the right stuff in your stomach.

  • For starters, travelers hopping in the car for their business trip have it a bit easier since they can pack a cooler of fruits and veggies as some core eats, both for the travel itself and for staying full while at the new destination.
  • Folks traveling via air should research what’s offered on their airline to gauge how much needs to be packed in advance in order to stay full without sacrificing nutrition.
  • In both cases, keep your bag stocked with easy but healthy snacks to help combat compulsive buying food you might otherwise choose to avoid.
  • Finally, it can be useful to research both the hotel and surrounding area before departing, especially for travelers with food restrictions. (And we’ve previously rounded up some of the best hotels for gluten-free eaters and vegans!) Hunting around for hotels that come with kitchens can also be smart for folks with more severe allergies or other dining out concerns.

Staying Active

When it comes to staying active on a business trip, it can be relatively easy to hit the hotel gym early in the morning. Such an experience can vary dramatically based on the quality of the gym, of course, but an alternative approach is to make physical activity an integrated part of the itinerary.

  • To stay active even when you’re squeezing in meetings, try working in some destinations (perhaps a restaurant if no offices fit the bill) that are walking distance from your lodging.
  • If the weather permits, suggesting a couple walking meets or more active meet-ups is another way to make sure a business trip doesn’t turn into hours sitting in stuffy conference rooms.

All in all, a little extra planning is most straightforward way keep healthy habits on-point even while doing business away from home. Get into the new routine as soon as possible, fuel your body with the right eats, and work some movement into the itinerary to keep a healthy foundation everywhere you go.

 

Festivals, Regional Oddities

Columbus Day Celebrations from Around the Globe

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October 12th marks the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ 1492 arrival in the Americas, and Americans have celebrated the occasion in an official capacity since 1937.  While schoolchildren in the U.S. learn about the journey made on the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria, the holiday has become more recognized as a day off from work and the unofficial beginning of the fall sale shopping season. Travelers interested in seeing how other nations with a connection to Columbus celebrate the day should take a long weekend trip to the following four places.

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1. The Bahamas

In the Bahamas, October 12th, once known as Discovery Day, is now celebrated as Heroes Day. Columbus’s initial landfall occurred on the Bahamian island of Guanahani, where he christened it San Salvador Island, and it’s now famous for its secluded and idyllic beaches. Like Columbus Day in the United States, Heroes Day in the Bahamas is accompanied by the closure of schools, banks, public offices, and most shops. This October, Heroes Day will be celebrated with a five day festival from October 8 to October 13, featuring traditional Bahamian food, drink, and performances.  Those wishing to visit during that time should stay on the main island, in Nassau, which has a range of hotel options to suit all budgets. Travelers looking to splurge should check out the luxurious Cove Atlantis resort, while those hoping to save should try the Best Western Bay View Suites.

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2. Mexico

In Mexico, Columbus Day is celebrated as Dia de La Raza (“day of the race”). Dia de la Raza is a public and bank holiday, but that’s where the similarities with the U.S. celebration of Columbus Day end. Many activists in Mexico, and other Spanish-speaking countries, have chosen to reclaim the day as a celebration of indigenous life and traditions, because for these nations, the arrival of Columbus from Spain led to nearly all of Central and South America’s eventual colonization by the Spanish. Thus, the Dia de La Raza has become a celebration and remembrance of the mixing of peoples and cultures. In Mexico, the Dia de La Raza has been celebrated countrywide since 1928, with Mexicans celebrating both their Spanish and indigenous roots. First-time visitors to Mexico should try staying in Mexico City, the capital and the country’s largest city. Mexico City boasts a population comprised of many people with indigenous roots, coming from all over the country. Try staying in downtown’s Hotel Imperial Reforma, offering a great location at a hard-to-beat price, or the upscale and charming Green Park Hotel.  

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3. Spain

As Spain’s Queen Isabella was the monarch backing Columbus’s fateful expedition, it’s no surprise that the explorer’s journey to the Americas is a holiday known as the Fiesta Nacional, which celebrates the diversity of the worldwide Spanish-speaking community. However, the day is shared with two other significant events: the Day of Armed Forces, marked by an extravagant military parade, and the feast day of Our Lady of the Pillar, the patron saint of Spain’s Civil Guard. Those wishing to be in Madrid for the assorted festivities should stay at the affordable yet luxurious Hotel La Moraleja or the ultra-modern Urban Hotel, both located in the city proper.

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4. Italy

Travelers wishing to learn more about the explorer himself should try to take a trip to Italy, particularly Columbus’s homeland of Genoa. While Italian-Americans have long celebrated the explorer in the U.S., with San Francisco’s Italian Heritage Parade and New York City’s Columbus Day Parade being notable celebrations, his home country has only started feteing Columbus more recently. In fact, Columbus Day is not a national holiday in Italy, but his native Genoa hosts celebrations. In recent years, Americans living in Genoa join local politicians for a ceremony and reception at Columbus’s home, restored in 2001. Visitors to Genoa should stay at the budget-friendly and conveniently located Hotel Continental Genoa or the upscale Clarion Collection Hotel Astoria Genova.

There are many surprisingly cheap hotels in Paris near popular destinations.
Travel Thoughts, Uncategorized

5 Ways to Avoid being an Annoying Tourist in France

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France — and especially Paris — has a love/hate relationship with tourists. Tourism is an important industry, but if you’re not careful, you can make a nuisance of yourself with locals. Here are five ways you can avoid being that tourist:

  1. Realize you’re not in Kansas anymore. The customs are different. While you’re in France, it’s best to learn to do what the French do, and refrain from doing what they don’t do. People expect tourists to make the occasional cultural faux pas. What they don’t expect is an earful about what’s “wrong” with the way they do things.
  2. Realize that some French people don’t speak English. Most French speak at least some English, especially in the larger cities, and the vast majority of those who work for hotels in Paris or other tourism-related industries speak English relatively well. However, you are in France, and you can’t expect everyone to speak your language. Many who do speak it, don’t speak it well, and some who speak perfectly good English refuse to do so. After all, vous êtes en France. Pick up a French phrase book (or, hey, it’s 2015, download a French app to your smartphone. You’ll find that French people speak much better English after you’ve at least made an attempt to communicate in French. Most importantly, if someone doesn’t appear to understand you, don’t repeat yourself louder and slower. If they speak English, you’ll offend them. If they don’t, volume won’t help.
  3. Refrain from asking where to find the nearest McDonald’s, Starbucks and so on. You’re in France! Enjoy the local cuisine. If you absolutely must have Chicken McNuggets, at least don’t announce it. If you have to ask, quietly ask the concierge at your hotel. It really does irritate the French when tourists ask for American chain restaurants.
  4. Follow the protocol on the Metro. This one’s pretty simple. You let everyone exiting the train get out before you go in. When you’re in, if the train is crowded, stand up. Only sit if there’s a clear place to do so.
  5. Don’t tip. Seriously. It’s not part of the French culture. Many of the people we typically tip in America, such as wait staff, are paid considerably better in France, and your attempt to tip can be interpreted as an insult.

Remember, to the French, France isn’t a tourist destination, it’s home. You’re the guest and the one who has to adapt, not them. Try to fit in, and you’re sure to have a great time.

A hotel in Sydney is a great base camp for adventure.
Travel Thoughts, Uncategorized

5 Ways to “Find Yourself” By Travelling The Globe

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There are more benefits to travel than just having fun. If you’re trying to get in touch with your inner self, visiting other countries or just going outside of your comfort zone at home in the United States can help you learn about yourself and the world around you. Booking hotels in Sydney and cities around the globe can help you achieve your goal of better self-awareness. Here are four cities that are perfect for finding yourself.

Sydney, Australia

The benefit of finding yourself in Sydney is that you’ll be in an English-speaking country, so there’s no need to worry about any language barriers. Not only can you visit famous sites like the Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach, but you can also head out of the city to get in touch with nature at the nearby Muogamarra Nature Reserve. Hotels like the Westin Sydney give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture.

Denali, Alaska

Unspoiled Alaska is full of sprawling views and wildlife that has been untouched by humans. If you’re the kind of person who needs peace, quiet and nature to truly find yourself, the Denali National Park and Preserve is an ideal destination. Located on a mind-boggling six million acres of land, Denali features Mount McKinley, the highest point on the North American continent. When you want to get away from civilization to give yourself a better opportunity to listen to your inner voice, Alaska’s wilderness is the place to do it.

Samara, Costa Rica

When finding yourself means trying out adventurous activities that you never thought you would actually get to do, Samara is the place to go. Ziplining, hiking and kayaking are all challenging, active options in the beautiful scenery of this beach town. As the safest country in Central America, Costa Rica draws in travelers from around the world to enjoy a peaceful, tropical setting.

Napa Valley, California

You don’t have to leave the continental U.S. to find yourself. Enjoy the simple things in life by sampling local wines and farm-fresh foods in Napa Valley. This area of California is a destination for soul-searchers thanks to the farm-to-table movement and a hopping art scene that can be explored at galleries like di Rosa and the Jessel Gallery. High-end hotels like the Meritage Resort and Spa let you unwind after a long day of meditative self-exploration.

Traveling the globe gives you the opportunity to learn about other cultures first-hand while searching for your own inner understanding. Whether you are one with nature or more at home in an urban setting, visiting one of the destinations above can help you find yourself through travel.

Destination Details, Point A to Point B, Random

Press SPACEBAR to Continue on the Modern-Day Oregon Trail

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Are you a proud 90s child? Do you occasionally sport a t-shirt that reads “You have died of dysentery”? Kindred spirits, it’s time to head West to check out what’s going on in some of the territories that defined the iconic Oregon Trail computer game! Press DOWN ARROW to continue.

Meet Us in Saint Louis (Before You Get Cholera)

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In keeping with the game’s storyline, we begin our westward journey in Saint Louis, Missouri. Be sure to enjoy some premier bubbly beverages at at Saint Louis’ famous Crown Candy Kitchen, which boasts the city’s oldest soda fountain. Delight in the flavors of a Johnny Rabbit Special Malt, a drink comprised of fresh bananas with whipped cream, nuts, and nutmeg. Next, catch a classic feature at the Hi-Pointe Theatre (est. 1922). This theater serves beer and wine to its adult costumers and screens old-timey features on a nightly basis. Do refrain from informing your server that you’re travelling West by way of the Oregon Trail, and make sure not to drink and horse-and-buggy about town. Be responsible and book a night at the luxurious Chase Park Plaza, located in the heart of town on a road lined by mansions and old, beautiful trees. Wake up, admire the streets in the morning light, and hit the trail!

Rest Up at Independence Rock, Wyoming

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Though its summit is only 136 feet above the terrain that surrounds it, wind-faceted Independence Rock, located 50 miles southwest of Casper, Wyoming on Highway 220, sits 6,028 feet above sea level and is one of the most notable sites on the Oregon Trail. Pioneers used to carve their names into the rock, which fittingly earned the nickname “The Register of the Desert.” There’s no camping allowed at Independence Rock, but it’s only a five hour drive to Salt Lake City, Utah, so cross-country travelers can stop and rest to increase health and morale of the “wagon” crew.

Feel Young and Alive in Utah Territory (Where the Hunt is Good and the Beer is Plentiful)

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After fording a few rivers, hunting buffalo like a regular William Frederick Cody, and perhaps even losing a few close friends to exhaustion along the way, you’re almost there! You’ve made it to Salt Lake City! Visit the awe-inspiring Natural History Museum of Utah (admission, $13; hours, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and check out the Native Voices Exhibit, which explores the traditions and important histories of Utah’s five native nations: Shoshone, Goshute, Paiute, Ute, and Navajo. From the museum, move to The Garage, where trailblazing enthusiasts delight in the mouth-watering taste of juicy burgers and animated beers, and where they dance all night to Salt Lake City’s best bands. Let your wagon air out for the night and sleep in the fine cotton sheets of The Grand America Hotel.

“Congratulations! You have made it to [Portland], Oregon! Let’s see how many points you have received”

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Let’s be honest: Hipmunk travellers are the winningest travellers, especially on the Oregon Trail. What better place to spontaneously break into a shameless victory dance than in Portland? Take a celebratory walk on the lush green trails of The Forest Park Conservancy, and marvel at the surreal beauty of the eastern slopes of the Tualatin Mountains. Alternatively, cool off with a cold brew at the Portland Brewing Company Taproom, which offers customers twelve different varieties of beers on draft. It’s perhaps worth noting that, on September 19th, the brewery will be hosting a Scottish Festival from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., featuring live Scottish music (bagpipes!) and dancing to ‘celebrate the return of Noble Scot Scottish ale’! More adventurous trekkers should pay a visit to Voodoo Doughnuts in Portland’s Old Town. Local favorites include the Memphis Mafia doughnut, the Captain My Captain doughnut, and the legendary Bacon Maple Bar doughnut. Those who frequent this shop occasionally bear witness to legal wedding events; where better to ring in an eternity of love, devotion, and mutual, charmed manipulation than at a voodoo-inspired doughnut shop?

 

Destination Details, Things to Do, Travel Plans

Making Romantic Moves in Nashville, The Music City

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Nashville is the city that provides visitors and inhabitants with an unparalleled world of access to America’s greenest parks, freshest eats, and twangiest, tune-blaring venues. Dress to impress and call that friendly passenger you met on the plane, the fellow traveler who accepted your card at baggage claim, or the bright-eyed receptionist in the lobby of your fashionable hotel. Invite that kindred spirit to join you for the a date night to remember. Nashville awaits, y’all, and we’ve rounded up the best spots to kindle new romance (or re-spark old flames).

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Warner Parks

Treat your date to an afternoon at Warner Parks. Located 9 miles south of downtown Nashville, Warner Parks — comprised of Edwin and Percy Warner Parks, both historic sites divided by Old Hickory Boulevard — includes 2684 acres of deciduous forest and green meadows. Enjoy a romantic hike on Warner Woods Trail or on Mossy Ridge Trail, and savor breathtaking views of rolling hills, winding wood streams, and old limestone walls and staircases. Stretch out on a blanket next to Willow Pond, and bask in the golden rays of a Nashville sun. Feed your date sweet spoonfuls of pomegranate seeds and liberal chunks of dark chocolate at the Indian Springs Picnic Area. Play a competitive game of hide-and-go-seek in Basswood Hollow, and belly laugh as confused passersby — perhaps skeptical of blissful young lovers and their whimsical ways — quicken their pace and avoid eye contact. Whisper sweet nothings into the wind: Bonus points if you can make ‘em rhyme! Go in for the kiss on Flag Pole Hill at sunset.

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Bella Napoli

Nestled in a cozy, unassuming back alley off Music Row in Edgehill Village, Bella Napoli boasts the “Best Pizza in Nashville,” thanks to the the restaurant’s pizza-making virtuoso, chef/owner Paolo Tramontano. Like a perfectly orchestrated piece of music, the composition of each pie includes ingredients good enough to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand tall: dough imported directly from the Caputo Mill in Italy, beautiful, ripe tomatoes from the majestic San Marzano region, and flavorful and refreshing Mozzarella di Bufala. Start the night off with a couple fresh caprese salads (dressed with a delicious homemade balsamic vinaigrette!) and a bottle of 11 Albini Armani Organic Chardonnay. For the main course, order a Parma Pizza (fresh mozzarella, diced tomatoes, arugula topped with Parma prosciutto and parmigiano), and for dessert, indulge your tastebuds in the sublime sweetness of tiramisu. Pretend to go to the restroom and intercept the waiter on the way. Pay the whole bill, but not before ordering two double espressos. The night is young!

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Mercy Lounge

Half a mile from downtown Nashville, on the second story of an old and rickety brick building, the city’s hippest music lovers shuffle into the beloved Mercy Lounge. Equipped with the most state-of-the-art sound system on Cannery Row, Mercy Lounge has attracted a diverse array of acts since its founding in 2003, including The White Stripes, Beach House, Dr. Dog, and She & Him (Zooey Deschanel & M. Ward). Between sets, shoot a competitive game of pool in the cozy back bar area, or sink into some booth seating with a couple sizeable beers. Invite your date to go with you to the dance floor for a whirl. When your feet start to hurt, take a short cab ride to the nearby Courtyard By Marriott Nashville Downtown. Bid each other a good night (or perhaps a good morning) and show some gratitude to the music city for keeping the dream alive!

 

Point A to Point B, Random, Travel Troubles

Could the Side-Slip Airplane Seat Change the Boarding Process Game Forever?

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One of the most frustrating parts of a flight comes at the very beginning: The slow-moving and cramped boarding process is a constant hassle. Dozens of people, loaded down with heavy bags (and kids and strollers), attempt to navigate their way to their seats by squeezing past one another in an impossibly thin aisle. Even when boarding is staggered by section, the process can still be uncomfortable and irritating.

Perhaps not for long, thanks to the work being done at the Denver-based Molon Labe Designs LLC. The minds behind Molon Labe Designs are busy at work crafting a slideable aisle seat that retracts inward during boarding. The design makes for a 41” aisle, which is practically palatial when compared to the traditional 19” one. As this video demonstrates, once the seat is retracted passengers can move about freely, gliding past one another in a breezy travel-induced haze.

As travelers, we love the potential in these seats, but it does have us wondering about the wacky and uncomfortable scenarios that are bound to occur with full on Slip-n-Slide styled airplane seating:

  • A sudden sharp dive to the left could potentially send aisle-seaters sliding into their seat mates, which could make for some great flirting if the person in 5B turns out to be a cutie…
  • …or a complete disaster if 5B turns out to be sick and the unfortunate aisle-seater slides right into a sneeze….
  • …or an even bigger disaster if 5B was just served a piping hot coffee.
  • Getting in and out to use the restroom would be much easier with a retractable seat…
  • …unless of course 5A turns out to be a clutz and they plop right onto 5C’s lap mid seat-slide when returning from the bathroom.
  • (Though traditionally not a problem if 5A’s a cutie, see #1.)
  • But as long as all the aisle-seaters stay in control of their seat, none of these disasters are going to occur, right?
  • That is of course until a young child ends up in an aisle seat and all chaos breaks loose. What’s more fun, a coloring book or a slide-able seat?

Jokey scenarios aside, we’re excited by the prospect of some new seat technology and will be the first ones to sign up for a demo flight. Someone has to test out these slidey gizmos before they hit the public!

Destination Details, Things to Do, Travel Thoughts

A Stone’s Throw From Stonehenge Lies a Massive New Mystery

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Located in Wittshire, England, Stonehenge is one of the world’s most iconic man-made landmarks. Tourists flock to the raised stones to ponder their origins and meaning. Are these the marks of an alien burial site? Were ancient sacrificial rituals conducted here? How were these stones raised before the advent of modern technology? Stonehenge baffles tourists (and historians) to this day as it sits isolated in the middle of the English countryside.

Recently, a group of archaeologists from the Stonehenge Hidden Landscapes Project uncovered the extensive remains of a 90-stone structure less than two miles from Stonehenge. Using remote sensing technologies, the archaeologists were able to detect the presence of the massive stone monument, which is currently buried under a bank of grass. Though the archaeologists aren’t entirely sure when the monument was built, they are able to place its construction as contemporary to Stonehenge itself, some time between 2,000 and 3,000 BC.

This new discovery means Stonehenge is not isolated and may in fact be relatively small in comparison to its newfound neighbor. Scientists and archaeologists alike are scrambling to figure out the significance of the new monument and where it figures into the history of the area.

Luckily for them, the new monument is surprisingly well-preserved, and excavation of the stones could lead to specimens more easily researchable than Stonehenge. If full excavation occurs, the monument would form a half moon that dwarfs its sister site. Preemptive hypotheses suggest the new stones might’ve been used for ancient calendar purposes, as a sacred space for religious acts, or as the wall of an arena.

In a statement released to the press by the Stonehenge Hidden Landscapes Project, Paul Garwood, Senior Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Birmingham, reflected on the project’s game-changing discovery, “The extraordinary scale, detail and novelty of the evidence produced by the Stonehenge Hidden Landscapes Project is changing fundamentally our understanding of Stonehenge and the world around it. Everything written previously about the Stonehenge landscape and the ancient monuments within it will need to be re-written.”

Regardless of what scientists uncover, this story will be an important one to watch unfold. And in the near future, the discovery might also be a can’t-miss addition to the English travel itinerary.

Destination Details, Things to Do, Western Europe

The Most Majestic Architecture In Europe

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Traveling through Europe is a great way to experience not only some of the world’s best food, art, and culture, but also some of its best architecture. Architecture in Europe seamlessly blends the ancient with the modern to create a landscape that honors history, while also being innovative and forward-thinking. Though nearly every European city offers up an array of beautiful museums and storied cathedrals, there are a few with magnificent architecture that set them above the rest.

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Valencia, Spain

Popular for its sunny beaches along Spain’s Orange Blossom Coast, Valencia is also well known for its breathtaking architecture. The buildings in the historic Barrio del Carmen are from ancient Roman times, while the soaring Basilica de la Virgen de los Desamparados is a Gothic behemoth that towers over the neighborhood’s winding cobble-stoned streets. Famed architect Santiago Calatrava designed the modern architectural jewel of Valencia: the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences. A performing arts venue located at the at the end of the river Turia, the crystalline dome appears lifted straight from the riverbed, and makes for quite the spectacle as it sits glowing on the water at night.  

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Bilbao, Spain

North of Valencia in the Spanish Basque Country lies Bilbao, a small city that’s garnered a large reputation for its impressive architectural wonders. Chief amongst these wonders is the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, one of the most admired creations of contemporary architecture. Designed by Frank Gehry, the museum was built in 1997 along the Nervion River and has since drawn massive crowds of people to gaze upon its warped metallic frame. Many experts have deemed it one of the most important architectural works of the twentieth century, as aside from its impressive construction, the museum is also well-known for its extensive contemporary art collection.

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Sintra, Portugal

Sintra is best known for its many 19th century Roman architectural monuments, which have garnered this colorful town the honor of being named a UNESCO World Heritage site. Just a quick day trip from Lisbon, tourists flock to this small wonder of a city to check out the prehistoric monuments like the Castle of the Moors and the National Palace of Pena. Several royal residences can also be found in the city, many of them dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries.

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Strasbourg, France

Another of Europe’s many UNESCO World Heritage sites is Strasbourg’s historic city centre, Grande Île. Grande Île was the first entire city centre to be placed on the World Heritage list, and for good reason, as many of its streets appear pulled straight out of the Middle Ages. The medieval landscape of ancient Strasbourg is captivating in and of itself, but its crown jewel is the Cathedral of Our Lady. Construction of the cathedral began in 1015 and wasn’t completed until the late 1400s, making it the tallest man-made structure in the world at the time.

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Cambridge, England

Around the same time as many of the buildings in Strasbourg were being built, The University of Cambridge was holding its first classes. Founded in 1209, Cambridge is one of the oldest and longest-surviving universities in the world, and today its name is synonymous with academia, prestige, and history. Its sweeping campus combines richly green lawns with stately, iconic halls, like King’s College Chapel and the Cripps Building at St. John’s College. The most notable feature of Cambridge’s architecture is the patterned brickwork found on many of its buildings, which experts believe to be some of the earliest examples of this style in the world.

Exploring the Wild Blue Yonder