A Wide Variety of Truly Unique Places on This Week's Fast Five!

 

HERE WE GO!

1.    Uzupis.  That's what it's called.  It's an area of Vilnius, Lithuania.  So, this is the perfect quirky way to spend the day if you happen to be there.

Lithuania has a colorful history; belonging to several other countries over time.  Most notably, they were part of the Soviet Union and declared their independence in 1990.  Believe me; I was there for part of that uprising.  But, Uzupis came along a bit later on April 1st, 1997.  Originally a joke, they've grown into a thriving community.

Uzupis arose from a neglected part of the city that became the capital of Lithuania.  There are some 7,000 residents of the tiny self proclaimed country within a city with it's own unsanctioned constitution and government.  They even made their on currency.  Approximately 1,000 of the residents are artists; and that overwhelming vibe, known to be extremely bohemian; is the vibe of this tiny micro nation in training.

What will you find if you visit this place?  It's a little bit like visiting the Conch Republic of Key West.  Friendly people, lots of art and really good food.  If you're in Vilnius, it's a must see.

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20181014-uupis-a-tiny-republic-of-free-spirits

https://www.govilnius.lt/visit-vilnius/places/uzupis-district

http://www.uzupiorespublika.com/en/home/

https://www.timetravelturtle.com/lithuania/uzupis-vilnius/

https://www.roadiscalling.com/what-to-do-in-vilnius-city-break/

2.    The Lacerda Elevator in Salvador, Brazil.   This goes along with so many of my mantras about travel in general.  First, it's half the price on basically everything to visit Salvador over Rio de Janeiro.  If you're worried about violence as is the latest legend of visiting Brazil, then you'll believe that it's no more dangerous to visit Salvador than to visit Rio, making that no different of a concern.  

That being said, another one of my favorite things is any kind of public transport, and elevators are a great mode of transportation.  They exist all over the world where there are extreme elevation changes in small spaces.  I've used those and funiculars in several locations and just love the view.

But, this one in Salvador is a bit different.  The one in existence today, which is an art deco beauty, isn't the first one.  There's been an elevator there since the 1600's when it was used by Jesuits.  In the 1800's it was replaced by another version and the current one came along in the early 1900's.  This elevator system that rises 72 meters is the oldest continually operating public elevator system in the world.

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/brazil/the-northeast/salvador/attractions/elevador-lacerda/a/poi-sig/1179232/363210

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g303272-d2349194-Reviews-Elevator_Lacerda-Salvador_State_of_Bahia.html

https://www.viator.com/Salvador-da-Bahia-attractions/Lacerda-Elevator/overview/d818-a16547

https://www.salvadordabahia.com/en/experiences/lacerdas-elevator/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g303272-Activities-Salvador_State_of_Bahia.html

3.    Copacabana Beach, Dubrovnik area, Croatia.   While there are over 70 lovely beaches in the area, there's something a bit different about Copacabana (besides the name sounding like a Barry Manilow song).  This beach is not directly inside the famous walled city of Dubrovnik area, and sits on the opposite side of the small peninsula that defines the neighborhood.  While celebrities frequent other beaches, this one is more relaxed, subdued and let's face it; cheaper to spend the day at.

There are resorts and hotels nearby, great restaurants and bars; clubs for the nighttime.  You can rent beds, lounges, cabanas and so on.  You can order a cocktail at the beach.  It's mostly like other beaches in the area.  The one defining thing is that it's not as sandy as most beaches.  It's comprised mostly out of pebbles, so wear your shoes and don't intend to spend your day laying on a towel on the beach.  

It's a unique experience without sacrificing your beach time.  Once again, it's not a reason to visit Dubrovnik, but it does make a great day trip.

https://beaches-searcher.com/en/beach/191201725/copacabana-beach

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g295371-d3380541-Reviews-Copacabana_Beach-Dubrovnik_Dubrovnik_Neretva_County_Dalmatia.html

https://www.euansguide.com/venues/copacabana-beach-dubrovnik-7508/reviews/accessability-for-copacabana-beach-dubrovnik-6098

https://www.absolute-croatia.com/dubrovnik/parks-beaches/copacabana-beach

https://thebeachdubrovnik.com/

https://thetourguy.com/travel-blog/croatia/dubrovnik/top-things-to-do-in-dubrovnik-this-year/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgJa6BhCOARIsAMiL7V93vq2Sz7bj-H85V1L30mQObI8gCvMmYN_bgfkqOVy8pcxfyvNZbDYaAqhaEALw_wcB

4.    Sigiriya Fortress, Sri Lanka.   This fortress, also known as Sinhagiri, is located atop a 200 meter high rock column and dates back to the 400's.  It was constructed and carved on the authority of King Kasyapa and overall is indicative of secure fortresses built in ancient times.  But, this one has something that you don't see everywhere.  The entrance to the fortress is a carved area and it is a lion's mouth.  The carved lion is cool and unique.

This amazing place is open daily 5 am to 5 pm and will cost us foreign adults around $35 for entry, which does include the museum on site.  How to get there?  You can drive if you rented a car.  However, it might be nice to take one of the many tours that go to the fortress and not have to worry about transportation and directions in the Sri Lankan countryside.

Once again, this is not a reason to visit Sri Lanka, but if you happen to be there; don't miss it.

https://sigiriyafortress.com/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g304141-d4782530-Reviews-Sigiriya_The_Ancient_Rock_Fortress-Sigiriya_Central_Province.html

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/202/

https://www.muchbetteradventures.com/magazine/who-built-sigiriya/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/liviahengel/2024/07/16/sri-lanka-travel-guide-how-to-plan-the-perfect-trip/

5.    Our Habitas Caravan, AlUla, Saudi Arabia.    Glamping is something that apparently has caught on around the world.  In Saudi Arabia, in the middle of the desert, you can rent an Airstream and glamp to you heart's content.

Our Habitas is the company and they will give you that one of a kind experience.  This is an all inclusive tour experience.  The Saudi Desert is formidable, and with this company you will be guided, treated like royalty at the site and offered all the luxuries that you'd get with a resort.  But, you'll get to stay in one of their custom designed airstreams and; let's be honest; pretend you're camping.

This is a great adventure anywhere, but Saudi Arabia is an adventure in and of itself, so this is just upping it one more level.

The views are unmatched and the experience of staying in the desert is amazing.  I haven't done it in Saudi Arabia, but desert stays are fantastic.  Keep in mind a couple of things.  Saudi Arabia is a dry country, so there won't be any wine around the campfire.  And, this is a luxury experience with staff, tours, activities and all meals included, plus transportation; that makes this a good $600 per night for the stay.  Not unlike a lot of Caribbean Resorts, however.  If you really want to up your adventure, you can also stay in a mirror house.  That's a whole other level of cool.

As always, this probably shouldn't be the reason you visit Saudi Arabia, but what a cool adventure to take.

https://www.ourhabitas.com/caravan-alula/rooms/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g1802184-d25083308-r938475709-Caravan_By_Habitas_AlUla-AlUla_Al_Madinah_Province.html

https://www.travelandleisure.com/saudi-arabia-inside-alula-7094271

https://www.tripsavvy.com/caravan-habitas-saudi-arabia-5220761

https://www.visitsaudi.com/en

There you have it.  That's this week's fast five.  To look ahead, I have a couple more tips on Portugal coming up soon, and I have some thoughts on European plumbing which always makes a good entry.  I also plan to take some time to share some practical booking and point information which I don't think is readily available from the well known points sites, so keep an eye out for that.  Until then, enjoy the ideas from around the world!  Happy American Thanksgiving!  Enjoy!

Some Things I Found Interesting About Porto and Portugal...Like the Roosters!

 

Most people I know worry about the cost of visiting Europe.  Sure, if you want to do fancy things, it will cost a lot of money.  Welcome to travel.  When I was in St. Lucia, I was well aware that the north end of the island was littered with fancy resorts, and that cruise ships docked in the capital of Castries.  I didn't go that route, and we rented a car, and an apartment and stayed in Marigot Bay.  Far less expensive.  That being said, it depends on what you're looking for.

When we went to Porto, Portugal, I was curious about the city and the country.  I researched it well, but it was still an experience.  I didn't know what I would find.  I didn't know what the language barrier might be.  I didn't rent a car and wondered how easily we would get around.  I knew it was one of the oldest countries with ties to the Knights Templar and it was part of a pilgrimage trail.  I knew that there had been Moors, Christians, Jews, Pagans in charge of the lands.  What would I find in 2024?  I wasn't quite sure.

What I found was a place with amazing, history, food, views, traditions, and people.  It was a surprise nearly every day for me, and that was great.

One thing I can say about Porto, Villa Nova de Gaia, and the surrounding areas is that it is one of the happiest areas I've ever visited.  If ever, in all the countries I've visited, I could say that the people made the place; it's Porto, Portugal.  They are the nicest, most helpful, cheeriest, most contented, down to Earth people I think I've ever encountered.  Everywhere you go, people are overwhelmingly happy.  It makes a difference to a traveler.  It was fantastic.

Most people spoke at least a little English, which was helpful for someone like me who hasn't yet been able to fathom Portuguese.  I was grateful, and genuinely, no one seemed to mind.  Such amazingly helpful and empathetic people.  They would never get such wonderful understanding and helpful treatment in most cities in America.  Sad, but true.  There I said it.

Porto is a location that I pondered a bit.  How long to stay?  What kind of activities should I plan?  What kind of accommodation?  How should we get around?

We stayed for 9 days.  I thought that maybe, being a budget traveler, this was too long.  I did book an apartment, which is a great way to stay if you're going to be around for at least a week.  It's often more comfortable, giving you the opportunity to cook a bit or take care of laundry.  You get a living room in case of a rainy day where you end up hanging out and watching TV.  Just the idea of having a full sized fridge is a good thing.  Often, I've discovered it's cheaper to rent a vacation property than get a hotel room.  Always check both before traveling.

How much was there to do?  Was 9 days too long?  I could have stayed for a month.  Porto is great.  It's inexpensive for a city of its size.  The public transportation is great, so don't drive.  What we also found was that the trains can take you all over the area on day trips for cheap.  We went to Braga for the day and had a great time.  The train was 7,50 Euros.  The thing that I found with Porto was that due to the fact that there are so many wonderful parks, churches, beaches, historic areas and buildings to see; we never ran out of things to do.  The beaches, parks, and a whole lot of other things are free.  People gather in the park in Gaia to watch the sunset.  It's free and extraordinary.  Given the multitude of beautiful things to see and the amount of things to see and do that are free;  take your time.  You won't go broke here unless you work very hard at it.

The great thing about Porto is the freebies.  The beaches are free.  The numerous parks are free.  Most viewpoints along the river are free.  Walking the riverfront is free.  Visiting historic areas and wandering is free.  going to city markets is free entry.  You can get a history lesson in the Train Station at Sao Bento.  All free.

If you shop in the touristy areas of the city, you'll notice some things; some interesting things.  First of all, it's impossible not to notice the Harry Potter air of things in Porto.  There is that direct connection between J. K. Rowling and Porto.  Legend has it that she got inspiration from Livraria Lello and the Majestic Cafe.  Just look through the doors and windows and you'll get it.  Is it worth 8 Euros and a long queue to go inside Livraria Lello?  Resounding no.  Is it worth paying a fortune to eat at the Majestic Cafe?  Resounding no.  Are they beautiful?  Yes.

There are Harry Potter Tours you can take around Porto, and that's up to you.  I wouldn't tell a Harry Potter fan not to check out all the things that may have inspired J. K. Rowling.  There is one thing that you can't help but notice.  You will see students wearing capes that remind you of the uniforms in Harry Potter.  Did this come about because of the stories?  Nope, University students in the area have worn the capes for ages.  It is yet another inspiration for the series.  So, when you see the students on the street; it's just another day to them.

Another thing you'll notice while shopping is the sardines and roosters.  Portugal is famous for sardines, so there's no mystery as to why you see them on everything in the tourist areas.  But what about the rooster?

We saw roosters everywhere.  They were on merchandise, featured in local art, and there were live roosters wandering the park with peacocks in the Crystal Palace Gardens.  What is it with roosters?

Back in the 15th century; as I said, Portugal is old: is where the story of the Rooster of Barcelos began.  Reportedly, a pilgrim (remember, Porto and parts of Portugal are along the pilgrimage trail) was convicted of a crime he didn't commit (what it was I have no idea) and sentenced to death by hanging.  The pilgrim told the judge, who was eating a rooster at the time, that the if the bird came to life and crowed; it was a sign that he was innocent.  Long story short; legend says that happened.  The pilgrim's life was saved and now roosters are seen as good luck.  I swear, that's the story.

A couple of other bits of advice I have to give on visiting Porto.  First, book a package when visiting from the United States.  From other places, I don't know.  We booked a package through Expedia, which I don't always recommend but for this was terrific.  We went in the shoulder season of September, and it was cheaper than in the summer.  What's the catch?  The climate in Portugal is subtropical.  It doesn't get real cold at all.  This makes September still balmy beach weather.  It's before the official rainy season kicks in in October and it's a great slot for budget travel.  We found that by staying at least a week and going out of Boston instead of New York, we actually saved money booking an entire apartment for our stay.  Always look into shoulder season travel, different airports, and packages.  This time, it was all perfect.  I won't tell you how much I paid, but I promise, it was affordable.

So there you have it.  Some more tidbits on Porto, Portugal.  Once again, one of my favorites so far in my journey to countries around the world.  So, check out some packages, mark off a week in September, pull the trigger and enjoy!

https://weareportugal.com/blogs/portuguese-journal/the-legend-of-the-portuguese-barcelos-rooster?srsltid=AfmBOorql4mK-Yhee0j4BaBDmkNkNRvtkf6kSpOb1JudN8mWs3JpBziK

https://nowinportugal.com/barcelos-rooster-portugal/

https://www.expedia.com/

https://www.booking.com/

https://www.liveluso.com/post/demystifying-a-portuguese-university-tradition

https://www.fodors.com/world/europe/portugal/experiences/news/photos/10-ways-portugal-inspired-the-magic-of-harry-potter

https://portugalgetaways.com/en-us/destination/oporto/general-articles/churches-of-porto

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g2618568-Activities-c61-t52-Porto_District_Northern_Portugal.html

https://www.portomoments.com/en/porto-travel-guide/parks-and-gardens-to-visit-in-porto/

https://travelsandtreats.com/best-views-in-porto-portugal/

https://wanderlog.com/list/geoCategory/129861/best-free-attractions-in-porto

https://www.livrarialello.pt/en/home

https://www.cafemajestic.com/en/Utilities/Homepage.aspx

https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/sleeping-eating/vacation-rental-or-hotel

The Calendar Collection is Out for the Season!

 

Every year I add to the collection of calendars available from Imagings; my Zazzle Store.  This year we have a great new collection of calendars and Christmas ornaments as well Check it out!

Tis my store:

https://www.zazzle.com/store/imagings

The new calendars are in a collection labeled "More Calendars"

Here's some calendars from me this year!

https://www.zazzle.com/scenic_beauty_of_porto_wall_calendar-256454052511580934

Featuring images like:

https://www.zazzle.com/porto_portugal_wall_calendar-256034282222332860

The above is also scenes of Porto, Portugal.

There's Iceland:

https://www.zazzle.com/the_winter_countryside_of_iceland_wall_calendar-256836740791548100

https://www.zazzle.com/city_views_of_reykjavik_iceland_wall_calendar-256505563081160497

Featuring images like:

There are bridges of New York and New York views:

https://www.zazzle.com/stunning_bridges_of_nyc_wall_calendar-256903211663944125

https://www.zazzle.com/calendar-256640903689182030

Featuring images like:

There are bridge, rail bridge, and lighthouse collections:

https://www.zazzle.com/a_unique_selection_of_lighthouses_calendar-256422920739548257

https://www.zazzle.com/truly_fabulous_rail_bridges_wall_calendar-256581501621054855

https://www.zazzle.com/the_bridges_i_cant_forget_wall_calendar-256533266642912375

Featuring images like:

And there is a calendar featuring my favorite area of Greenville, Maine and Moosehead Lake:

https://www.zazzle.com/the_one_only_greenville_wall_calendar-256059211563627007

Featuring images like:

There you have it.  There are also calendars from years past that are still available; just make sure you choose the correct year.  There are also many Christmas ornaments designed from my travels and photography, which make great gifts.  Many images also come on postcards and other items.  So, check out my collections, then pack up your gifts for family and friends and enjoy!