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.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.absolute-croatia.com/dubrovnik/parks-beaches/copacabana-beach
https://thebeachdubrovnik.com/
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://whc.unesco.org/en/list/202/
https://www.muchbetteradventures.com/magazine/who-built-sigiriya/
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.travelandleisure.com/saudi-arabia-inside-alula-7094271
https://www.tripsavvy.com/caravan-habitas-saudi-arabia-5220761
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!
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love to hear thoughts about the places in this blog. Feel free to converse on what you read. Check out my other locations and enjoy the ride.