This Week's Five Great Little Ideas!

1.    It's called Matera.  This is a cave settlement, pretty far away from about anything you've heard of in southern Italy.  Evidence says it was probably founded during Byzantine times and has quite a history.  It was a city for decades, maybe millennia.  Once more modern times were upon them, most of the people moved to areas where they could have electricity and running water and sewage.  It fell into a shambles over time.  Recently, however, it's become a hidden gem of luxury travel.  You can stay in a luxurious cave hotel with all the modern amenities.  You can go to a cave spa.  You can also enjoy wandering the rest of the town with your camera enjoying a wonderful UNESCO World Heritage Site area.  I wouldn't miss that one for the world.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/04/27/a-cave-with-a-view

https://www.aptbasilicata.it/new-dove-dormire/

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/mater-went-from-ancient-civilization-slum-hidden-gem-180949445/

https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/sassi-matera-italy/

2.    Faja do Padres on the south coast of Madeira.  That's a mouthful, but what a place to see.  Now, anyone in their right mind would love to see Madeira.  It's a beautiful island in the Atlantic Ocean.  But, if you take that rental car and drive to the south of the island, you'll find a cable car that takes you down a cliff like nothing you've ever seen before.  300 meters down a cliff.  I'm not joking.  900+ feet.  It will be one of the most scenic rides of your life.  Below are the gardens and the shore.  It's beautiful.  The people are wonderful.  There's even a restaurant.  It's the ride of a lifetime.

https://fajadospadres.com/faja/index.php/acessos-en/elevador-en

https://digitaltravelcouple.com/faja-dos-padres-madeira/

https://www.madeira-web.com/en/places/camara-de-lobos/what-to-do/faja-dos-padres-cable-car.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqQQfKFnQ_4

3.    The Basilica Cistern in Istanbul.  Ancient times called for ancient ways.  Istanbul sits on a lot of water, but what they needed was drinking water.  Hence, the cistern.  One of the most famous cisterns in the world, this one is located not far from the Hagia Sofia.  Once the premiere place to get water, it's now been turned into a museum, and is one of the most unique museums you'll ever visit.  There are so many amazing things to see in Istanbul.  This is that gem that tends to get overlooked.

http://yerebatansarnici.com/

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/turkey/istanbul/sultanahmet/attractions/basilica-cistern/a/poi-sig/402088/1324696

https://theistanbulinsider.com/the-basilica-cistern-the-coolest-spot-in-town/

https://istanbul-tourist-information.com/en/experience-istanbul/fountains-cisterns-in-istanbul/basilica-cistern-yerebatan-sarnici/

4.    Torgny, Belgium.  I said it.  Do you have any idea what the town is?  I didn't.  They call it the Provence of Belgium.  It's closer to France and Luxembourg than it is to anything we've heard of in Belgium.  It's the wine producing area.  That's right.  If you like wine tasting, this is a great area to visit.  They have fantastic vineyards and a gorgeous little village with cozy bed and breakfasts.  It's an amazing way to get your wine on without going to all the bourgeois locales that everyone else goes to.  

https://nextstopbelgium.com/guide-to-torgny/

https://visitwallonia.com/en-gb/content/poirier-du-loup-vineyard 

http://thismustbebelgium.com/torgny-the-prettiest-belgian-village/

https://hotellagrappedor.com-hotel.com/en/

5.    Belgium is a hidden gem to most Americans.  Fortunately, I watch World Wanderista and she spent some time where she actually lives during the pandemic.  Belgium has a region filled with ancient villages and castles, where you get around by gondolas and boats.  It's beautiful and referred to as Dinant Region.  Namur is a beautiful city to visit and apparently became a favorite of an American with a lot of money.  While in the area, you should make the hazardous trek to see the house he built for when he visits this tiny country.  It's known as "The Wizard's Cabin, and will take some work to get to, but it is one of the most unique places you'll see in Belgium.

https://briscoveries.wordpress.com/2021/02/11/dinant-region-belgium/#2-1-the-wazards-cabin

https://www.worldwanderista.com/hidden-gems-in-belgium/

https://www.europeanbestdestinations.com/destinations/namur/

https://www.namurtourisme.be/en/

So, there you have it.  Five more kitschy places to visit.  I love the unusual.  I love being off the beaten path.  Sometimes it gets so crowded in the usual places that you just want to do something else.  I'll keep finding and posting these little things to do while in the area to try and help keep your travel fresh.  So, try something different, wander, and enjoy!