The post 20+ COOL THINGS TO DO IN BEIJING, CHINA- OFF THE BEATEN TRACK appeared first on Travels with Talek.
]]>Beijing is my favorite city in China. Maybe because I know it so well.
I worked in Beijing on and off for many years and I spent a lot of time there wandering its alleyways or hutongs and sampling its street food.
The off-the-beaten-path places and quirky things to do in Beijing are among the best things you can find in this ancient city.
Of course, when in Beijing you must see the highlights; Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Lama Temple, the Great Wall of China, the Ming Dynasty Tombs and other historical sites.
Visit my post on Beijing Highlights: What You Must See.
But to get a good feel for the real Beijing, check out these unique and cool things to do in Beijing and include them in your travel plan.
These sites are all easily accessible by Beijing’s very efficient subway line and general public transport although taxis are also pretty cheap.
Just pick up a Time Out in English, or ask your hotel concierge for contact details.
TEN COOL THINGS TO DO IN BEIJING OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
The best way to see Beijing’s hutong, or narrow alleyways, is in a rickshaw. Most rickshaws are motorized now. There are central rickshaw rental locations at the Drum and Bell Tower and Beihai Park.
Insider tip: Hiring a rickshaw is a good idea and a fun way to wander old Beijing, absorb the local culture and see how the local people live.
Make sure to negotiate the fee beforehand. Use hand signals if you don’t speak Chinese.
They’re used to it and will understand you. Plus it’s fun. There is no language barrier when people want to understand each other.
These are the traditional style Chinese homes that have been around for centuries.
A much more authentic experience than the local standard hotel. You can find these online. Here is one typical option for hutong hotels.
If you prefer a Western-style hotel rather than a hutong hotel, here are Beijing accommodations in the centrally located Beijing City Center.
You can get to any of Beijing’s fabulous attractions from this district.
Wangfujing is a major pedestrian shopping street. A few yuan (Chinese currency) will get you a steaming plate of spicy dumplings.
They also have a very interesting variety of food specialties including scorpions.
I highly recommend spending an afternoon at the 798 Art Zone. This art district is about 5 square blocks of reclaimed factory space converted into an art venue.
They have special exhibits, nice restaurants, shops selling unique pieces of art, souvenir shops and a funky vibe.
These structures were built around 1272 CE! (no, that’s not a typo) during the Song Dynasty 960-1279 CE, and are among the oldest temples in Beijing.
They offer a glimpse into the city’s long history.
Make sure to see the Drum Show.
The climb to the top of these towers is very steep but the panoramic view of Beijing and the surrounding hutongs, or narrow streets, is worth it.
Check out the coolest off-beat things to experience in Beijing.
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Dragonfly is a chain of massage spas found in many major cities in China and one of my favorite spots in the city. Beijing has about 5 branches.
The reasonably priced massages at this oasis of tranquility are heavenly and are a great way to just chill, the perfect place to rejuvenate.
Spend an entire day if you can afford the time and get everything done; facial, mani-pedi, head and foot massage.
I once went to Dragonfly in the morning then went to a different branch in the afternoon because I didn’t want the first place to think I was addicted to massages.
It’s THAT good. Definitely one of the best things to do in Beijing. Check them out Dragonfly here.
Ok, it’s tacky, I know. But, cultural appropriation notwithstanding, dressing up in period costumes is one of my guilty pleasures and it might be one of yours.
So there you have it.
One of the most fun experiences I’ve ever had was dressing up with one of the attendants at the Forbidden City and pretending to be members of the ancient Royal Court.
Whether you dress up or not, visit the Forbidden City. It’s certainly not off the beaten path, but within this vast area surrounded by the city moat are many hidden gems of Beijing.
The Forbidden City is in the Dongcheng District of Beijing.
Built in the early 1400s it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of China’s most popular tourist attractions with foreign visitors as well a Chinese tourists.
The sheer size of this ancient building is what will amaze you. One great hall leads to an even larger different room with period furniture and beautiful collections of Chinese artifacts.
Top tips for the Forbidden City: Wear comfortable shoes. The best time to go is in the late afternoon in time to see the reflection of the sun on the golden temple roofs.
A short walk from the Forbidden City is Beihai Lake Park. It’s beautiful during the day with its gardens and graceful curved Chinese bridges.
But at night it really rocks with clubs featuring all kinds of music.
This is the best place in Beijing to stroll the park and lakeside restaurants, check out the jazz clubs and interact with the Chinese people.
If you eat nothing else in Beijing, you must sample dumplings at Dintaifung, a Taiwanese chain of restaurants featuring dozens of dumpling flavors and other delicacies.
You go here more for the experience than the actual antiques. It’s an open-air market with stalls displaying paintings, jade art, porcelain and many other offerings.
It’s fun to walk around but unless you’re an antique dealer, you never know what you’re buying. Still, they have some very pretty things.
If you’re looking for lesser-known attractions in Beijing, there are plenty to choose from. Some of these include the Xishiku Church, a historic Roman Catholic church in the Gothic style.
Another unique destination is Bai Gong Fang Street.
Here you’ll find a collection of about 30 shops selling high-end Chinese artifacts. The venue was designed as a way to keep Chinese arts and crafts alive.
Don’t miss the Beijing Ancient Observatory built in 1442 during the Ming Dynasty.
And, of course, you must see Prince Gong’s Mansion. Constructed in 1777, this is a collection of Chinese homes built in a garden environment.
Beautiful architecture in a lovely setting to absorb Chinese history and culture.
This post only covers off-the-beaten-track things to do in Beijing. See all the fascinating options you have for exploring all of China off-the-beaten-track.
And for a real bang (pun intended) check out the coolest places to spend Chinese New Year’s
Insider tip: Beijing is full of hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
Get off the beaten track by visiting the hutongs, the lesser-known temples street markets and local parks.
Beijing has an efficient and convenient subway or metro system. Buses are also efficient. Taxis are available.
You might want to call one from a hotel lobby rather than find one in the street.
Renting a bike is an option, especially for riding around the expansive and beautiful parks.
Lastly, Beijing’s equivalent to Uber or Lyft is Didi, but you must download the app.
If you’re looking for a complete guide, here is a comprehensive list of China travel tips.
Absorb a little bit of the city before you go. Here are two books I recommend highly. Both capture the essence of Beijing like no others: Midnight in Peking and The Incarnations.
What are your thoughts on off-beat Beijing?
BTW, if you are getting ready for your trip, make sure to take advantage of these useful, money-saving links to book your trip:
I personally use, and can recommend, all the companies listed here and elsewhere on my blog. By booking through these sites, the small commission we earn – at no cost to you – helps us maintain this site so we can continue to offer our readers valuable travel tips and advice.
The post 20+ COOL THINGS TO DO IN BEIJING, CHINA- OFF THE BEATEN TRACK appeared first on Travels with Talek.
]]>The post BEST WINE REGIONS IN THE WORLD (AND HOW TO ENJOY THEM) appeared first on Travels with Talek.
]]>From Australia to Spain, South Africa to Bulgaria and beyond, read on to learn more about the best wine regions in the world.
Before we start, one important suggestion when traveling the regions is to rent a car to explore the area at your own leisurely pace.
Now, let’s start visiting the best wine regions of the world.
The wine regions of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa came into their own a long time ago. They are now among the great wine regions of the world.
“Wine is the only artwork you can drink.”
Luis Fernando Olaverri
With beautiful scenery, perfect weather, many local attractions and great wine, these areas are ideal for a long, leisurely stay.
Wine-loving travel writers share their favorite regions in this exploration of great wine regions of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Just an hour’s drive from Melbourne, the rolling hills of the Yarra Valley are home to over 90 cellar doors.
Large producers like Chandon and smaller boutique wineries enjoy the unique cool micro-climate suitable for many varieties of grapes.
Chardonnay and pinot noir are the most popular however the region is also known for its sparkling varieties and cabernet sauvignon.
You can easily spend a weekend winery hopping in the Yarra Valley but many people day trip there on a hosted or self-drive tour from Melbourne.
Pick up one of three suggested wine routes at the local tourist office.
These itineraries take you past the main towns of the Yarra Valley – Healesville, Yarra Glen and Coldstream – and include visits to the best wineries for tasting.
Along the way discover local cheese and chocolate producers who are more than happy to discuss wine matching to their wares.
“In victory, you deserve Champagne. In defeat, you need it.”
Napoleon Bonaparte
If you are still hungry there are countless eating options from casual wood-fired pizza and charcuterie at Giant Steps in Healesville to fine dining at Ezard at Levantine Hill.
You can also enjoy a hot air balloon ride over the valley as the sun rises an unforgettable experience in one of the great wine regions of Australia.
Whichever route you take in the Yarra Valley, make sure to stop by Punt Road wines – my favourite cellar door.
When planning a visit to Australia, check out this 2-week Australia itinerary.
Katy Clarke
Untold Morsels
The Central Otago wine region of New Zealand is situated in the central part of the south island surrounded by soaring white-capped mountains.
It is also the world’s southernmost wine region and best known for their pinot noir. This area just outside of Queenstown is known for its cool climate and only planted the first vines back in 1983.
Even though it is a young wine region, it is rapidly emerging as one of the bes wine regions in the world.
To visit you can fly into Queenstown and stay at any of the hotels there.
There are several one-day wine tours that will pick you up at your accommodation and take you to different wineries for a sampling.
“Wine is the most healthful and most hygienic of beverages.”
Louis Pasteur
Most wineries have a café, tastings, and pairings for you to try there plus you can go into the winery itself.
I find wine tours to be the best way to get around, meet other people who like wine, try the best wines, and learn about the wineries and region.
A bonus for visiting the region is that you can also take a day trip to the beautiful Milford Sound, or spend a night there.
Nicole
Travelgal Nicole
Australia is now known worldwide for its wines and many have heard of the wonderful white wines of the Yarra Valley in Victoria.
Slightly lesser known is another fantastic region only a couple of hours from the Yarra Valley – the Mornington Peninsula.
The Mornington Peninsula is about a 90-minute drive from Melbourne and home to Melbournian’s favourite seaside getaway towns – Sorrento, Portsea, Dromana and Rye.
The winery region is, of course, inland so when you visit you will never be far from a dip in the sea – a claim not many wine regions can make!
Mornington Peninsula is best known for its whites and pinot noir due to the colder climate.
Some of the best wineries to visit include the wonderfully named Ten Minutes by Tractor, Red Hill, Port Phillip Estate and Polperro.
The area has some fantastic Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs but I also recommend giving the slightly lesser known Pinot Gris a try as well.
The best way to get to the Mornington Peninsula and explore one of the great wine regions of Australia is to hire a car from Melbourne or do a day tour from Melbourne.
Amanda O’Brien
The Boutique Adventurer
I first tasted a Marlborough wine about 18 years ago. Since then I’ve had a desire to visit this great wine region near Blenheim, South Island, New Zealand.
It was the distinctive green apple tang of the Sauvignon Blanc of this region that stuck with me. This wine from this region is so distinctive I’d travelled to the other side of the world for it.
The Marlborough region of New Zealand is, indeed famous for their Sauvignon Blanc.
“Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy.”
Benjamin Franklin
You’ll see names such as Villa Maria, Brancott, Cloudy Bay, Peter Yealands, Wairau and more in your local supermarket and they’re all here.
Seventy seven percent of all New Zealand wine comes from this region, with the signature grape, Sauvignon Blanc.
However, you’ll also find Pinot Noir, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay here too. And you should try them. I like to say that I came to New Zealand because of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and THEN discovered New Zealand wines.
You can take a wine tour in a van here, but the absolute best way is to tour Marlborough wineries by bike.
It’s easy to rent bicycles from the Blenheim or the lovely village of Renwick and take a self-guided tour of the wineries.
Start early, you’ll get slower as the day goes on!
Don’t forget to use this handy Christchurch to Queenstown South Island road trip as a planning tool.
Sarah Carter & Nigel Dockerty
A Social Nomad
GREAT WINE REGIONS OF SOUTH AFRICA
Constantia Valley is the wine region in Cape Town about 15 km from the Central Business District.
The valley can be found at the foot of Table Mountain National Park and has been making world-class wines since 1600’s.
It is also the home of wine states that pioneered the winemaking industry in South Africa and said to be the oldest wine producers in Southern Hemisphere.
Constantia houses at least 10 scenic wine estates with only 8 estates open to the public and included in the Constantia wine route for tourists.
These estates, despite the smaller size, are home to award-winning wines from international organizations. A testament to the wine quality in the region.
The Constantia Valley is also known during the 18th and 19th century as a producer of world-famed Constantia Wyn that is it said to be the wine choice of the royalties across Europe.
There are far too many options of wines in Constantia, from amazing red wines like Merlot, Shiraz, and Pinotage to great selections of white wines that include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier – just among others.
The question is not a matter of choices but just a matter of taste and well, alcohol tolerance.
“Wine is bottled poetry.”
Robert Louis Stevenson
And the best part? They are cheap and only 1/4 of the price in what you can find in other world famous wine regions.
The wine estates in Constantia do not only pride itself as makers of high-quality wines but it also houses an industry that is full of history and cultural significance.
You can see these from the architecture and the long history that surpasses generations.
To reach Constantia Wine Valley, you can take the red tourist bus that goes to Constantia wine region which should cost around AD$25.
This bus stops at the wine estates part of the tourist wine route in Constantia.
You can also take an Uber. It is not recommended to bring your own car for a reason that you might enjoy the wine too much.
Christine Rogador
The Travelling Pinoys
Stellenbosch is a university town in South Africa, 50km from Cape Town. It is famous for its beautiful scenery, Dutch-style colonial buildings and is rapidly becoming one of the best wine regions in the world.
The first official settlement here was established in 1679 the area considered to have great agricultural potential.
Soon after that surrounding hills were planted with crops and grapes. Long after in 1972 Stellenbosch became the first place in South Africa which established a wine route, nowadays it coordinates more than 150 wineries.
The area is famous for its Pinotage red wine grape, this grape varietal was bred in the town, by crossing two other cultivars by a professor at the local university.
Pinotage wines are known for smokey and earthy flavors with notes of banana and tropical fruits. The wines are also produced in a style with heavy chocolaty and coffee character.
Cabernet Sauvignon is the most popular red wine grape planted in Stellenbosch followed by Shiraz and Merlot.
The area also produces some of the best white wine in South Africa. Chardonnay is the most popular variety and Chenin Blanc also being produced.
There are two ways of exploring Stellenbosch wineries; driving with your own car or taking a wine tour. The first option gives you more flexibility though you can’t swallow too many sips.
The second option is more fixed but allows you to relax and taste as much as you wish.
Most wine estates’ tasting rooms are opened to the public without prior arrangement.
The main advice for wine tasting in the area – don’t rush and try to visit as many places as possible, rather choose 5 estates and enjoy the tasting.
Where to stay in Cape Town
Campbell & Alya
Stingy Nomads
“Wine is sunlight held together by water.”
Galileo Galilei
Not only is this one of the best wine regions in the world, it is Australia’s oldest wine producing region.
The Hunter Valley is one of the best places to go to sample some wine and enjoy the incredible scenery of the area.
There are over 180 wineries to visit, so while you can drive from Sydney in about 3 hours, an overnight stay is recommended.
If you’re short on time, there are plenty of day tours organised from Sydney, which will set you back around AUS$ 125 per person, including lunch.
The ‘Hunter Valley Semillon’ is considered to be the iconic wine of this region, although you can find a wide variety of grapes here, such as Chardonnay, Shiraz, Verdelho and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Besides the wines, there is also some fantastic local beer, cheese, chocolate and gourmet food to enjoy here.
Some of your stops could include ‘Drayton’s Family Wines’, one of the Hunter Valley’s pioneering winemaking families, ‘McGuigan Wines’, an award-winning winemaking company or ‘Tempus Two Cellar Door’, which is a more contemporary winery founded in 1997 by the McGuigan family.
Nienke Krook blogs at The Travel Tester
European wine regions are magical places with stunning scenery, charming villages, and warm sunshine, the stuff of fairy tales. Here is a collection of European wine regions, curated by wine lovers, that lives up to the hype.
Few wine regions are special enough to earn UNESCO World Heritage status and the Alto Douro in northern Portugal is one of them and one of the best wine regions in the world, not just in Europe.
The world’s first demarcated wine region covers a vast, mountainous area of schist soil and has a microclimate that makes for full-bodied DOC Douro table wines. This also applies to the famous fortified port wine as well as sparkling wines and muscatel.
“Wine is the most civilized thing in the world.”
Ernest Hemingway
The hilly terrain means grapes grow on terraced plots that create a man-made landscape of patchwork vineyards.
Thanks to this unique, unforgiving and utterly picturesque terrain, most of the work involved in the grape production is still done by hand after 2,000 years.
You can see the highlights of the Douro Valley on a day trip from Porto by train or road or a multi-day river cruise.
If you have time, it’s worth staying overnight on a working wine estate to get a deeper appreciation of this unique landscape and wine-producing culture.
Where to stay in Porto
Beyond the scenery and wines, you can explore traditional villages, 12th-century monasteries and historical towns like Lamego.
While in the area, cross over the border into Spain and experience another of the best wine regions in the world, the Rias Baixas wine region.
Julie Fox at Julie Dawn Fox
Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy. Benjamin Franklin
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Few will doubt that the Jerez region is one of the best wine regions in the world.
The city of Jerez de la Frontera in Southern Spain is known for their horses, flamenco dancing and most importantly: the creation and export of sherry.
Located in the Andalusia region, this industrial city that smells of citrus is an interesting combination of both Iberian and Moorish culture.
Enjoy local culinary delights such as gazpacho and finish your meal with a nice dry fino.
Be sure to tour one of the sherry houses in the city, where you can experience the unique process of “fractional blending,” (better known as the solera) and taste more than just fortified wine.
There are some direct flights into Jerez’s airport, but the most common way is to fly into Seville and take the train or bus.
Vy Tran at 7 Crossroads
Provence is a stunning region in the south of France. It is best known for its long stretches of coastline, local produce, quaint towns and villages, and being one of the great wine regions of the worod.
It is also famous for its Provençal wine, which has been produced in this, one of the best wine regions in the world, for well over two and a half thousand years.
The area has long since developed a reputation as one of the best European wine regions.
While there, you can wander the mountain slopes where the grapes are grown and taste wine just meters from where it was produced.
“God made only water, but man made wine.”
Victor Hugo
The real specialty of the region is Rosé, but lesser known is that plenty of red wines that are also produced here.
Late summer/ early autumn is the best time to visit; though as this is Southern France any trip at any time of the year is guaranteed to be special!
Where to stay in Aix-en-Provence
Sophie at Solo Sophie
Wine is bottled poetry. Robert Louis Stevenson
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With 5,400 hectares of vineyards, South Tyrol in Northern Italy is a small but diverse wine region where wine cultivation dates back over 3,000 years.
Here, in the middle of the mountainous landscapes of the Dolomites, wines grow at altitudes between 200 m and 1,000 m above sea level – thanks to these conditions, the area produces over 20 grape varieties.
In addition to international varieties, South Tyrol also produces internationally known indigenous wines like the Gewurztraminer or the Vernatsch.
A staggering 98% of the wines produced in this region are quality wines.
The picturesque vineyards that are nested on the lower hills of the Dolomites along the South Tyrolean Wine Route aren’t just a sight for wine lovers.
Travelers seeking an escape from the hassles of their daily lives are sure to find some peace and quiet in the midst of the majestic Alps.
And there is nothing more relaxing than a good glass of South Tyrolean wine on a warm summer afternoon.
Mike at 197 Travel Stamps
The country of Georgia has one of, if not the oldest, histories of producing wine in the world.
There have been findings that wine has been produced in the area for at least 8,000 years!
Suffice to say in that time, they’ve figured out how to make amazing wine and grown into what will surely become one of the best European wine regions.
Within Georgia, the most famous wine producing region is Kakheti. The soil and climate in this region are ideal for winemaking and many varieties are produced.
“Wine is a living liquid containing no preservatives. Its life cycle comprises youth, maturity, old age, and death. When not treated with reasonable respect, it will sicken and die.”
Julia Child
When I visited I was particularly fond of the red wine Saperavi that is being produced in Kakheti.
If you’re interested in wine there’s no better place to try them than where winemaking was born!
Where to stay in Tibilisi
Nathan Aguilera at Foodie Flashpacker
A loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and thou. Omar Khayyam
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We visited Italy in June 2017 and by far it was the best trip we had last year. One of the most awesome experiences we had was visiting the Chianti region in Tuscany.
We had opted for a full day tour from Florence of Siena, San Gimignano, and Chianti. Our tour guide Rebecca was a knowledgeable lady and kept us engaged throughout.
The most exciting part of our Tuscany visit was tasting 4 different types of Chianti wine; each one with its own flavor and taste followed by a scrumptious full course meal in the Chianti region.
The 4 major types of Chianti wine are Chianti, Chianti Superiore, Chianti Classico, and Chianti Classico Riserva.
Wandering in the bylanes of Siena and having gelatos to our heart’s content at the world famous Gelateria Dondoli in San Gimignano was another unforgettable experience to cherish forever!
Chianti is by far the most beautiful wine region in Tuscany. Breathtaking landscapes and good wine make Chianti a must visit while in Tuscany.
It is greatly visited and appreciated by tourists worldwide.
“The discovery of a wine is of greater moment than the discovery of a constellation. The universe is too full of stars.”
Benjamin Franklin
Chianti Wine is one of the most famous wine in the whole world due to its age-old tradition of production and quality of wines.
It is recommended to do a vineyard tour when visiting Chianti.
The vast expanse of greenery mingled with loads of wine information will leave you with lovely memories to last a lifetime!
READ NEXT: A SOUTHERN ITALY ROAD TRIP
Aditi Kapoor at Travelogue Connect
Try and tell an Italian that any other country produces better wine than Italy and you’ll most likely be met with a tirade of angry protest and hand gestures.
Lombardia (Lombardy) is a region in the north of Italy that’s home to a variety of incredibly picturesque landscapes, postcard-perfect towns and some of the most mouthwatering food and wine in the world.
Lombardia has a long history of winemaking which dates back to the Greeks who settled along the Po River.
“Let’s raise a glass and make pour decisions together.”
Anonymous
Lombardia produces various kinds of wine and is most well known for the sparkling wines from the Franciacorta zone along the shores of tranquil Lake Iseo.
The region around Lake Garda is well known for the Chiaretto style rosé wine it produces, as well as acclaimed reds and whites.
Although incredible wines are produced all over Italy, there’s something special about the atmosphere in Lombardia.
Whether it be the soaring mountain peaks of the Alps or the peaceful lakesides of Garda and Iseo, there’s always a beautiful place to sit and sip on a glass of delicious and locally produced wine.
Sara Monty at Just a Pack
I always love being in the company of women. It's all about good conversation and great wine. Naomi Watts
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Not a lot of people know this but Bulgaria used to be one of the world’s largest wine producer. It is now going through a revival.
More and more wineries are springing up all over the country. It may not be one of the best wine regions in the world, but it is certainly on its way.
One of the best ways to experience this is to visit Melnik, one of Bulgaria’s wine producing regions. It’s a convenient day trip destination from Sofia.
Going wine tasting in Melnik is a very laid back affair.
It seems people were surprised to see us. The wine itself? It was delicious, very cheap, and very unique.
Make sure to try a wine made from “Broad Leave Melnik” grapes, this grape only grows in this part of Bulgaria.
They also make “orange” wine, which is wine made with white grapes that are crushed with its skin on.
How to visit: Best with a rental car from Sofia.
Jill at Jack and Jill Travel The World
In recognition of its architectural and agricultural history, the Wachau region of Austria was added to the UNESCO list of world heritage sites in 2000.
The valley is dotted with picturesque villages, medieval towns, fairytale castles and a magnificent abbey.
It’s also famous for the production of apricots and grapes, both of which are used to produce specialty wines and liqueurs.
The Wachau is the source of Austria’s most prized dry Rieslings and Grüner Veltliners, from grapes grown on the steep stony slopes beside the Danube.
By the 15th century, there were 50 wine producing abbeys in the Wachau.
The monks built special paths along the riverbank to transport the wine – paths that today are part of the Donauradweg – the Danube Bike Path.
I might be biased, but this 30-km section of the Danube between Krems and Melk is best savored from the saddle of a bicycle.
Where to stay in Krems
Anne Betts at Packing Light Travel
For more information on touring the Wachau, and other sections of the Danube by bicycle, see Cycling the Danube.
Spanish Wine has become popular globally, but the most famous wines are from the Rioja Region in the northeast part of the country.
That area is now firmly established as one of the best European wine regions, and therefore, one of the best wine regions in the world.
Rioja is composed of three areas: Rioja Alta, Rioja Baja, and Rioja Alavesa.
The wines are normally a blend of various grape varieties and while their reds (tinto) are most popular, you can also find white (blanco) or rosé (rosado) wines from Rioja.
Among the reds, the best-known and most widely used grape is Tempranillo.
Other grapes from Rioja include Garnacha Tinta, Graciano, and Mazuelo.
The easiest way to visit Rioja is a tour from Bilbao. We choose this route so that we didn’t have to worry about any details or driving.
“Raising a glass to the beauty and complexity of wine.”
Anonymous
You could also base yourself in Haro, the largest city in Rioja, and visit wineries there on your own.
Many of the wineries are within walking distance of each other.
While you will have to make appointments in advance, it’s not too hard to do over email. If you want to explore more of the area, I would recommend hiring a driver or tour guide.
We found the wineries to be very generous with their pours even for tastings.
RED NEXT: BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN NORTHERN SPAIN: ASTURIAS AND GALICIA
Anisa at Two Traveling Texans
READ NEXT: BEST ROAD TRIP IN NORTHERN SPAIN
Age is just a number. It's totally irrelevant unless, of course, you happen to be a bottle of wine. Joan Collins
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Anyone visiting Italy must visit the Piedmont wine region, one of the top European wine regions.
Just a little outside of Turin, Italy, you’ll find the Piedmont wine region, which is famous for Barolo and Barbaresco.
The Piedmont wine region produces the most DOCG wines out of ANY region in Italy, so you’re sure to find local specialties that aren’t exported too.
The most commonly grown grape in the region is the Barbera grape although the Nebbiolo grape is commonly grown as well.
The most famous towns for wine tourism in Piedmont are Asti and Alba, which are easy day trips from Turin with public transit.
In the towns, you can sample the wine at wine bars although it’s also possible to take a tour of the surrounding vineyards with a car.
Barolo is one of the most expensive Italian wines, so wine lovers should consider stocking up while in the region as it’s possible to buy Barolo for a steal!
Karen at Wanderlusting K
Explore other great wine regions of Europe and The Americas.
Fancy a weekend in one of the great wine regions of Australia, New Zealand or South Africa? Which would you prefer?
The most outstanding wine regions of the Americas sometimes don’t get the recognition they deserve. Here are eleven diverse and interesting regions.
Some are well known and live up to their hype like Napa Valley.
Others have been thriving just below the radar but rapidly gaining reputations as outstanding wine regions. Join travel bloggers who love wine as they explore and share some of their favorite regions.
Could this be one of the future best wine regions in the world?
The Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia, Canada is one of the coolest climates to grow grapes for wine, and as such produces a distinctive flavor.
An hour away from the capital city of Halifax, it’s a wonderful place to spend a few days, eating, drinking and enjoying the ocean views.
I would stay in the small town of Wolfville, as it is central to most of the wineries and you can even take a double-decker bus to do a wine tour!
Nova Scotia Winery owners developed a signature wine appellation in 2012, a fresh, crisp, still white wine called Tidal Bay.
It is a blend of 100% Nova Scotia grown grapes, usually L’Acadie Blanc, Vidal, and Seyval, with smaller amounts of Ortega, New York Muscat, and Riesling.
It pairs perfectly with the seafood that is caught right off our shores.
The name comes from the influence the sea has over the wineries.
Nova Scotia wine is up and coming in the world and one of the best wine regions of the Americas.
In August 2017, Chef Gordon Ramsay started serving Benjamin Bridge’s Brut Reserve 2008 at his three-star Michelin restaurant in London.
Jenn Neilson at Will Save for Travel
*****
“I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food.” ― W.C. Fields
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Chile is globally known for its exceptional wine, and most of that comes from its amazing Casablanca region of Santiago, one of the top wine regions of the Americas.
The Casablanca region is known for its white wine and its stunning wineries and views. Casablanca has multiple wineries in the area that are easily accessible from the center of Santiago!
It is about an hour drive from the middle of the city, and a stunning drive at that.
Two wineries that I thought were exceptional to visit are Casas Del Bosque and Matetic Vineyards. The tours and tastings here were both exceptional.
I highly recommend lunch at Casas Del Bosque, you can’t beat their outdoor lunch area, it is absolutely stunning. At Matetic Vineyards, take a while to stare at the views.
The winery is in the middle of hills and as far as you can see are the vineyards on the rolling hills.
If you are in Santiago, Chile do not miss out on the amazing Casablanca wine region and their amazing white wines.
Best accommodations in Santiago
Rachel Shulman at From East to West With RMS
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British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley is one of the world’s top emerging wine regions.
It is certainly one of the best wine regions of the Americas, with 172 licensed wineries that consistently place well among the world’s best at international wine competitions.
“In the vineyard, nature’s poetry unfolds.”
Anonymous
The Okanagan Valley, a four-hour drive from Vancouver, stretches over 200 kilometers (125 miles) North and South with deep clear lakes, forests and gorgeous mountain ranges.
The valley begins in Vernon and goes all the way south down to Osoyoos near the American border.
The small city of Kelowna is the center of the wine industry, with hundreds of wine-themed events held annually throughout the valley.
You can visit the wineries yourself or by taking a bus, a cycling or even a kayak winery tour in the summer, with many wineries boasting award-winning fresh farm and vineyard to table meals.
Most vines in the Valley are less than 30 years old, with most wineries still run by local families.
Despite the relative newness of the vines, wines have matured far beyond the original whites to well-regarded reds like Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Cabernet Franc as well as award-winning ice wines the region is famous for.
Wineries in the valley range from the stunning architecture of Kelowna’s Mission Hill Family Estate, to the quirky Summerhill Pyramid winery (where wine is aged in a four-story replica of the Great Pyramid of Giza) to small, family-owned wineries, each with its own unique style.
Micki and Charles Kosman at The Barefoot Nomad
*****
“Beer is made by men, wine by God.” ― Martin Luther
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Surprise! Southern Indiana is one of the lesser-known wine regions but it is working diligently behind the scenes to become one of the best wine regions in the world.
The land is characterized by the limestone hills and is ideal for growing grapes.
It has allowed a number of wineries to flourish including Oliver Winery in Bloomington, Indiana, the largest winery east of the Mississippi River.
Indiana’s signature wine grape is Traminette. Similar to a Gewurztraminer, this white wine is semi-sweet and quite floral with hints of rose and jasmine and sometimes spicy notes of nutmeg and black pepper.
I’d recommend traveling the Indiana Uplands Trail starting in Bloomington, Indiana to check off 4 of the nine wineries and then head south to New Albany, Indiana to finish off the list.
Southern Indiana might not be so well know yet, but it is on its way to becoming one of the best wine regions of the Americas.
Emily Hines at Em’s on the Road
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Valle de Guadalupe is Mexico’s finest wine region, located just about 3 hours south of San Diego and just east of Ensenada, one of Baja California’s top cruise ports.
This makes it a surprisingly easy excursion for Americans to visit, explore and enjoy.
Wine tastings are available all year round but harvest festivals in August are especially popular.
While the wines here are world-class, it is still a bit of a hidden secret where you’ll find unpaved roads and farm animals wandering about.
However, due to its growing popularity, a number of hotels and restaurants are beginning to open here as the region develops economically.
“The taste of history, bottled and preserved.”
Anonymous
This includes Chef Javier Pascencia’s 200-acre Finca Altozano eco-luxury resort that includes 15 villas and a 40-room hotel that are all part of a working winery.
James Hills at ManTripping
*****
“I pray you, do not fall in love with me, for I am falser than vows made in wine.” ― William Shakespeare, As You Like It
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Hands down, Mendoza is one of the best wine regions in the world.
Many visitors to Mendoza, Argentina are wine lovers that go with the express purpose of visiting wineries, experiencing tastings and Mendoza’s wine culture in general.
The wine industry in Argentina is over 500 years old. Careful cultivation has landed Mendoza the title of the 5th largest wine producer and the accompanying award, the 8th Wine City of the World in 2005. Its reputation continues to grow.
The city’s flagship wine is Malbec, a spunky grape originally imported from France where its second-rate reputation earned the nickname “poor taste.”
The vines thrived in the Mendoza environment which just happened to be ideal for this particular grape. The vines flourished into what is today one of the most popular wines in the world.
The wineries offer many options for visiting.
Among the most popular is to rent a car but there are so many wineries you might want to make the most of your visit with a guide.
“Wine, an invitation to explore the uncharted territories of the palate.”
Anonymous
Bike tours around the wineries have grown in popularity as have horseback-rinding tours.
Any winery tour you take will involve sampling. In that case, you may opt for the hop-on-hop-off winery tour.
That way if you get a little tipsy from the samplings, you’ll be ok.
Coolest accommodations in Mendoza, Argentina
Talek Nantes at Travels with Talek
Learn more about the exciting city of Mendoza, Argentina here.
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Napa Valley is probably the most well-known wine region in the United States. It is located about an hour north of San Francisco and easily accessible to Northern California visitors.
The wine has been produced here since the nineteenth century.
After California wines won every category of the Judgment of Paris wine competition in 1976, the region gained international notoriety.
Now, 450 wineries in Napa specialize in the production of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Zinfandel, and others.
Napa wineries are each unique but typically open from about 10 am to 5 pm daily.
Some offer simple tastings with some free snacks, others offer tours of their facilities and vineyards, aerial tram rides and even grape stomping.
“I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food.”
W. C. Fields
The area is also known for gourmet cuisine available at local restaurants. We were lucky to visit during fall harvest at the peak of grape production.
Napa’s picturesque valley and small towns really offer something for everyone – even our two and four-year-old boys had a lovely time.
Catherine D’Cruz at We Go With Kids
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Less than an hour east of San Francisco and about an hour southeast of world-famous Napa is the lesser known Livermore Valley.
Here in gravel soil with a unique east-west orientation that differs from most wine growing regions, Robert Livermore planted the first commercial vines back in the 1840s.
A few years later, the Wente and Concannon wineries were the first in California to bottle Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Today, 80% of California’s Chardonnay vines can trace their heritage back to the Livermore Valley. Fun Fact: The Wente Winery was the first winery established in the Livermore Valley back in 1883.
Now it is the oldest family-owned, continuously-operated winery in the United States.
In addition to Wente and Concannon, these wineries stand out among the 45-some amazing wine producers in the Livermore Valley:
● Nottingham Cellars
● Wood Family Vineyards
● Murrieta’s Well
● Mitchell Katz
The Livermore Valley is considered part of California’s Central Coast which includes the Paso Robles and Santa Barbara wine regions.
Sage Scott at Everyday Wanderer
Wine Harvest photo credit, Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association
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Located in Northern California, lies the Sonoma Valley Wine Region.
The area is protected from the ocean climate by the Sonoma Mountains. Not as popular as the nearby Napa Valley but just as beautiful.
In the Sonoma region, there is a great diversity of land which in turn helps create a large diversity of wine. Each sub-AVA specializes in one or more of these wines: Zinfandel, Cabernets, Chardonnays, Merlots, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Pinot Noir and/or Sauvignon Blanc.
All are produced in Sonoma. So, a wine for all tastes is here in Sonoma Valley.
There is something a lot of people do not know; the Sonoma wine region produces almost twice the amount of wine than Napa Valley. In fact, Sonoma County is the largest wine producing area in Northern California.
That’s a lot of wine.
Traveling to Sonoma you will find it is a quiet and relaxing atmosphere. The wineries consist of large and small ones.
You can visit several of them by just stopping in, however, some of the more private ones you will need an appointment.
Plenty of Inns and Airbnb homes surround the area for you to have a lovely wine vacation. You can discover great shopping and delicious restaurants throughout the region.
Where to stay in the Sonoma Valley
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Oregon’s Willamette Valley is home to nearly 500 wineries. The Willamette Valley is known as one of the top producing Pinot Noir areas in the world!
With a mild climate year-round, the growing conditions for the wine mimic France’s Burgundy region.
Surrounded by the Cascade Range and the Coast Range, the Willamette Valley is a short 45-minute drive from Portland.
As you drive along highway 99W, not only is the Willamette Valley known for its delicious wine, but also for the sweeping views. It’s impossible to have a bad wine or a bad view while exploring the Willamette Valley.
“One not only drinks wine, one smells it, observes it, tastes it, sips it, and—one talks about it.”
Edward VII
Tarah & Tip at Fit Two Travel
*****
“What wine goes with Captain Crunch?” ― George Carlin
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Walla Walla wine region, in the southeastern corner of Washington State and one of the top wine regions of the Americas, sits in the fertile Columbia Valley and provides excellent agricultural and viticultural conditions.
The area is somewhat remote and appears like an oasis in the surrounding desert-like terrain.
The secluded location, beautiful scenery, an abundance of exceptional wineries and the small town friendliness of Walla Walla create a Utopian experience for anyone interested in a relaxing and tasty getaway.
The area boasts more than 120 wineries and a wide range of varietals including the local specialties of Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The charming town of Walla Walla has picturesque tree-lined streets full of tasting rooms, cafes, restaurants, boutiques and art galleries providing a perfect setting to return to after exploring the surrounding vineyards.
The best way to get to Walla Walla is by car as you will then be free to visit the many wineries in the region.
However, if you prefer to fly in there are direct flights from Seattle and a number of wine tour companies to take you around once you’re there.
Sarah & Nathan at Discover the PNW
California has a growing number of wine regions. Only 15% of the wine in California comes from the well known Napa and Sonoma area.
One of the newer wine regions is in the central coast around Paso Robles.
Visiting Paso Robles today is probably what it was like to visit Napa 20 years ago.
Tasting fees are less, crowds are smaller but there are not yet as many high-end restaurants. They are, however, growing some great wine.
The area is best known for Pinot Noir which grows well in the warm climate. Paso Robles itself still has a small town feel centered around a small central park with a historic Carnegie Library.
It is also the home for the Mid-State Fair.
You can now find vineyards all along the hills of the Salinas River north to Salinas as well.
A stop in Paso Robles is a great addition to a Central Coast road trip which can include nearby San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay as well.
Where to stay in Paso Robles
Which of these best wine regions in the world is YOUR favorite?
Want to learn more about the best wine regions in the world? Check out these reference books.
BTW, if you are getting ready for your trip, make sure to take advantage of these useful, money-saving links to book your trip:
I personally use, and can recommend, all the companies listed here and elsewhere on my blog. By booking through these sites, the small commission we earn – at no cost to you – helps us maintain this site so we can continue to offer our readers valuable travel tips and advice.
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]]>Wondering what is Beijing famous for? Considering what sights you must see in Beijing? Curious about the Beijing highlights?
Here is a pretty good beginning to answer your questions. Beijing is an exciting capital city with some of the most spectacular sights anywhere.
I worked in China on and off for many years. I spent a lot of time in Beijing and came to see it almost as a second home.
Eventually, I started seeing China’s capital as two cities: one containing the magnificent Beijing highlights that you will read about here, and another showcasing the off-the-beaten-track Bejing which allows you little glimpses into Beijing’s soul.
Enjoy the must-see Beijing highlights below.
Beijing offers seemingly endless sights, experiences, and attractions for travelers to discover.
As one of the great cities of the world, Beijing entices visitors with its juxtaposition of ancient imperial treasures and contemporary energy.
From unforgettable bucket list experiences like walking along the Great Wall to savoring street food in historic hutong alleyways, Beijing offers rich rewards for urban explorers.
In this blog post, I’ll share an epic bucket list of the 30 best things to do in Beijing.
You’ll find expert recommendations of must-visit places, foods to try, and unique ways to experience the city’s culture and history.
I’ll cover remarkable sites like the Forbidden City, as well as insider tips for soaking up authentic local life.
WHAT IS BEIJING KNOWN FOR? BEIJING HIGHLIGHTS
Built during the Ming Dynasty in the early 1400s, the Forbidden City was the home and central administration point of China’s Emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Spanning 180 acres in the center of the city, it is considered the heart of Beijing and the top of the Beijing highlights.
This is one of those places where it is well worth getting an audio guide to tell you the interesting stories behind this most magnificent of Beijing highlights.
You could also hire one of the English-speaking guides found outside the main gate.
Spend several hours at least to do justice to this complex, as it has 980 buildings! The Forbidden City also houses the Palace Museum.
Although much of the most impressive art was carted away to Taiwan by the Nationalists after the 1949 Revolution when mainland China and Taiwan parted company, it is still worthwhile to visit.
THE GREAT WALL IS A MUST- SEE IN BEIJING
What is Beijing famous for? The Great Wall! On my bucket list for many years, I finally got to it. This is truly one of the great Beijing highlights.
Construction of the Great Wall as a fortification against northern invaders began as early as the 7th century BCE but most of it was completed during the Ming dynasty.
There are two points on the Great Wall travelers to Beijing usually go to: Mutianju and Badaling, although there are many ideal viewing points from which to experience the Great Wall.
Badaling
Badaling is the most frequented being less than an hour from Beijing. The most impressive sight in Badaling is the massive guard tower you see as you first drive up to the wall.
There is a street leading up to the tower lined with little shops selling the usual souvenirs.
In Badaling you not only see the wall but you can take a cable car on the way to the top and slide on a toboggan on the way down.
The toboggan ride is kind of exciting zooming down through the forest. This is truly an unforgetable experience and one of the best things to do in Beijing.
Mutianju
Mutianju is about an hour and a half away from Beijing. It was repaired to accommodate the tourist overflow from Badaling and is now pretty well restored.
Either location is fine. You will be able to admire this feat of engineering way into the horizon from either Badaling or Mutianju.
Visit the Simatai section if you want to experience something a little different!
You can hike here at night time (it’s only safe to do that here because it’s well lit during the dark hours) and there is a small Gubei Water Town that you can explore too.
You have to reserve a ticket if you want entry to Gubei Water Town at least 10 days in advance here because there are government limits on how many people can visit this section at one time.
This is to protect the ancient history and structure of the Great Wall.
Simatai is restored in places, but it can be tricky to climb and I would only recommend doing it if you’re a confident hiker.
There is a cable car here too so it might be a better idea to ride up this section of the Great Wall on the cable car, and then walk along it for the experience.
Jiankou is one of the most advanced hikes of the Great Wall there is! It hasn’t been restored at all, so it can be really dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing or where you’re going on this section.
I would recommend hiring a knowledgeable local Beijing guide or booking a group tour so that you can experience the awesome wall safely at Jiankou.
Hiking along the rocky paths and climbing up rickety staircases has its thrills – and the scenic rewards are captivating.
Whatever you do, don’t visit the Great Wall during one of the Chinese holidays. It will be too crowded for you to enjoy.
For those wanting even greater detail, read this post about Walking the Great Wall of China.
TIANANMEN SQUARE: HISTORY, CULTURE AND ART MAKE IT A MUST-SEE IN BEIJING
Adjacent to the Forbidden City lies Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public city squares in the world and definitely a Beijing hightlight.
Important for both its cultural significance and political history, Tiananmen Square provides a glimpse into Beijing’s evolution.
Without a doubt, Tiananmen Square should be on every visitor’s list of top attractions and things to do in Beijing. Visiting this historic square is one of the best things to do in Beijing.
Tiananmen Square is one of the most famous Beijing highlights. The center of it all.
With the Forbidden City at its north, the Great Hall of the People and the National Museum to its east and west and the tomb of Mao Zedong on its south side, this is the largest public square in the world and one of the things Beijing is famous for.
You can’t miss the square as you will have to walk through it to get to many other destinations in Beijing. It offers a look into the enduring relics of China’s imperial past within its bustling modern capital.
If you’re up to it, you may want to see the daily flag-raising ceremony at dawn on the square.
One of my favorite restaurants for Peking Duck in Beijing is nearby Quanjude. Get off on Qianmen Station on Beijing’s #2 subway station.
Yes, I know it’s on all the tourist brochures and locals consider it touristy but it was one of the first restaurants I discovered in Beijing and I still love it.
Eating in this historic restaurant is one of the best things to do in Beijing and a true Beijing highlight.
Plus, it’s been around since 1864 and the food is really good so they must be doing something right.
Pro Travel Tip: When visiting famous Beijing attractions like the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, be sure to bring your passport (a copy is not sufficient).
Police are stationed at every entrance and will check foreign IDs before allowing access.
A fantastic way to cap off a day of sightseeing around central Beijing is dining at the exceptional TRB restaurant.
Known for spectacular service, incredible cuisine, and its prized wine cellar, TRB is a wonderful place to celebrate special occasions in the city.
Be sure to make reservations ahead of time and let them know if you are commemorating any special event – they aim to make every visit memorable!
Food is one of Beijing’s highlights so, indulge!
Another thing Beijing is famous for? The Summer Palace. This was the traditional summer residence of the emperors for centuries.
Although not as famous as the Forbidden City, it is definitely one of Beijing’s highlights.
It’s not just one palace. It is a large park with several structures, lakes, a reproduction of a Ming dynasty village, restaurants, boat rides and many other attractions.
The gardens, the delicately carved Chinese bridges on the lake and the Ming dynasty structures are breathtaking.
A great place to spend the day and have lunch. It’s is one of my favorite Beijing highlights.
Once a retreat for Beijing’s imperial rulers, the Summer Palace centers around Kunming Lake dotted by temples, pavilions, and extravagant gardens.
Explore the sprawling grounds and marvel at sites like the Long Corridor and stunning Seventeen-Arch Bridge.
Or stroll the lakeside observing traditional Chinese aesthetic masterpieces for a scenic escape from the city.
On my very first trip to China, I decided to walk to the Temple of Heaven, one of the great Beijing highlights. I always try to walk to wherever I’m going in a new city so I can get to know it better.
This was before I had figured out the Beijing subway system. When I finished seeing the temple I was exhausted and decided to take a taxi back.
Taxis in Beijing can be difficult to get and I couldn’t find one so I resigned myself to walk back.
I took a wrong turn and ended up in a series of hutongs, labyrinth-like alleys where even a GPS couldn’t help you navigate.
Occasionally I’d flag a taxi but for some reason, none wanted to take me. This happened about four times.
By now it’s getting dark, I’m nowhere near the main street, getting deeper and deeper into the bowels of the city, no phone and nobody speaks English. I saw a taxi with its hood up and a guy tinkering under the hood.
I went up to it, opened the passenger door and sat inside. Of course, the owner objected gesturing with his arms for me to get out and yelling at me in Chinese.
I sat in the middle of the cab, folded my arms and refused to budge.
This went on for a few minutes. When I saw the guy was getting increasingly angry, I waved money at him and pointed to the name of the hotel on my room key.
I knew the amount of money I waved at him was more than the trip was worth. He finally got in and drove me to the hotel.
This is what comes to mind whenever I think of the Temple of Heaven. But don’t let that story stop you from visiting this impressive collection of beautiful buildings, Beijing highlights, with fascinating history.
Just make sure you know how to get back to your hotel as it’s a little far from central Beijing. Another option is to go with a reliable tour company like Viator.
Make your way to the heart of the city and take a walk through Beijing’s traditional hutong alleyways – an essential Beijing attraction.
Lined with tiny shops, restaurants, and lively bars, strolling these lanes offers glimpses into the capital’s past before wide roads and high-rises.
The most popular hutong areas to explore include Nanluoguxiang with its charming local souvenir shops, Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street brimming with traditional eateries, and history-rich Guozijian Street near the majestic Yonghe Lama Temple.
Though local residents live in the hutongs, visiting respectfully encourages businesses without disrupting daily life.
The scenic Houhai Lakes area is situated nearby. Here you can cap off a day wandering Beijing’s hutongs by enjoying a cold beer in a rooftop bar overlooking the city!
Beijing’s ancient hutong neighborhoods give travelers a beautiful view into old way of life. Getting lost in these atmospheric alleyways is one of the top things to do in Beijing.
Meandering Beijing’s ancient hutong alleyways provides intimate glimpses into local life. Head to historic squares like Nanluoguxiang lined with cafes, boutiques and hidden courtyards.
Or walk the Hutong Eco-Tour route learning about culture and history from English-speaking guides. Admire timeless grey-brick architecture as you uncover the heart of Beijing hidden down lively lanes.
Summer in Beijing brings scorching temperatures, often reaching a sweltering 40°C (104°F).
The perfect way to cool down during the hot months is visiting the city’s many refreshing outdoor pools and water parks – some of the best Beijing attractions for family fun or relaxation.
Top outdoor pools include Chaoyang Park’s lively man-made beach, family-friendly Tuanjiehu Water Park, and the Olympic-size options at Emperor Beijing Qianmen Hotel’s rooftop pool.
The iconic Water Cube (officially the Beijing National Aquatics Center), built for the 2008 Olympics, also offers an indoor water park with exciting slides and waves.
Most places charge higher rates on weekends, so visiting on weekdays avoids the biggest crowds and peak admission prices if your schedule allows.
When the Beijing heat becomes intense, make a splash at these local swimming havens! Their fun waterslides and beach vibes offer the perfect way to chill out.
The trendy 798 Art District is Beijing’s thriving creative hub for contemporary Chinese art and culture, located in the city’s Wangjing neighborhood.
Over 100 galleries, studios, workshops, shops, bars and eateries are clustered throughout this former industrial complex.
Wander the district browsing impressive modern artworks, people watching, and admiring colorful street graffiti.
Pop into the Central Academy of Fine Arts to see emerging new works. Grab a coffee in this community creative cluster and soak up the vibrant artistic energy.
Visitors can spend hours wandering the district, admiring eye-catching street art between warehouses, browsing beautiful handcrafted goods and fashion, and gaining inspiration from the wealth of exhibits and studios.
It’s easy to make a day of exploring 798’s artistic wonders before winding down with a meal and drinks at one of the many local restaurants or cafes. Hanging out in this unique environment is one of the best things to do in Beijing.
Beijing’s 798 Art Zone celebrates creativity through the works of Chinese designers, tattoo artists, painters, photographers and more.
Discover stunning artwork, shopping, and energy pulsing through this reimagined industrial space.
Chaoyang Theatre is renowned for its thrilling acrobatics shows featuring daring feats of strength, balance and agility.
It’s one of Beijing’s most unique attractions, offering family-friendly entertainment with jaw-dropping performances.
Visitors can experience elite Chinese acrobats defying gravity with incredible displays of athleticism and courage.
To take in the beauty of traditional Peking Opera, the historic Liyuan Theatre is a top venue, conveniently located in the central Qianmen area.
With its imaginative costumes, singing, storytelling and dancing, Peking Opera makes for a captivating and cultural night out.
Experiencing a show at one of Beijing’s storied performance theatres is a fantastic way to enjoy world-class Chinese arts and entertainment during your stay.
Let these venues inspire your senses and imagination! Immerse yourself in these Beijing highlights.
Once you’ve seen the main historical Beijing attractions, head southeast of the city center for something completely different – the exhilarating Happy Valley Beijing theme park!
This lively amusement park boasts heart-pounding rollercoasters, a favorite whitewater log flume ride, and many lively activities for all ages.
Arrive early to beat the queues and hop on the most popular rides first. And be sure to carry cash, as credit cards are rarely accepted in China.
Happy Valley provides a nice change of pace when you want a break from visiting Beijing’s ancient sites.
With such a huge array of things to do in this dynamic capital city, there truly are remarkable experiences for all interests, budgets and time frames.
The scenic Shichahai Lake region offers glimpses of old Beijing with bustling hutong alleyways, traditional courtyards, and restored heritage streets.
Rent a bike and pedal along the willow-lined canal paths to soak up the atmosphere.
Browse shops selling handmade crafts, sip tea in wooden teahouses, and wander Qing dynasty lanes.
Away from the inner city, this lakeside retreat provides a perfect picture of Beijing’s bygone eras. Cycling here is one of the best things to do in Beijing.
Gain insight into China’s rich history at the colossal Capital Museum near Tiananmen Square.
The immense collection houses precious relics like ancient bronzeware, Buddhist statues, imperial portraits, and more.
Marvel at the giant centrepiece bronze ancient vessel surrounded by stories of the country’s evolution.
With 173,000 pieces, this Beijing museum offers an intriguing national perspective through the ages.
Flanking opposite ends of central Beijing’s ancient heart, the 15th century Drum and Bell Towers make for a scenic stroll between the two imposing relics.
Climb up the stunning red-painted towers for panoramic views over the Forbidden City and surrounding hutongs.
Seeing these towers’ intricate tiers rising amid the modern cityscape feels like stepping back through time.
For lively local shopping, check out the huge Panjiayuan Flea Market. Around 3,000 vendors fill stalls across this market selling art, crafts, memorabilia, clothing and more.
Expect to haggle for everything from jade figurines to vintage cigarette tins to second-hand bikes.
The market buzzes with people watching and unusual finds at every turn.
The idyllic Jingshan Park immediately north of the Forbidden City provides an escape from Beijing’s bustling streets.
Climb the central mound for magnificent views looking down onto the imperial palaces and city sprawl. Stroll the gardens admiring traditional Chinese pavilions and courtyards.
For lovely scenery without the crowds, this historic park is a hidden gem.
As China’s preeminent museum, this immense institution near Tiananmen Square houses priceless cultural relics spanning thousands of years.
Wander through 47 exhibit halls featuring ancient pottery, jade sculptures, Ming vases, and countless artifacts.
With over 1 million pieces on display, it’s easy to spend hours getting lost in China’s deep heritage.
A live Kung Fu show at the historic Red Theatre makes for a memorable night out. Students of martial arts display incredible feats of skill and athleticism through dramatic choreography.
The production recounts a young boy’s journey to becoming a Kung Fu master. For an evening of cultural entertainment, catch one of Beijing’s best Kung Fu shows.
For premier people watching and shopping, head to lively Wangfujing pedestrian street in central Beijing.
This consumer center teems with department stores, malls, souvenirs, street food, and tourists.
Grab local snacks from booths like candied fruit or barbecued seahorses and scorpions, then relax for a cup of tea.
Observe the buzz at one of Beijing’s most famous shopping streets.
Standing since 1442, the ancient Beijing Observatory showcases elegant Ming dynasty architecture along with centuries-old stargazing devices.
This compact site houses early astronomical tools amongst oriental arches and pivotal meridian lines. Climb up to view the ornate celestial globes and zodiac carvings.
For historic science, visit one of the longest-operating observatories worldwide.
Ringed by scenic hutongs and courtyards, tranquil Shichahai Lake makes a wonderful excursion for boating and scenery.
Rent a pedal or electric boat and cruise the willow-lined waterways, snapping photos of historical residences. Dock at lakeside teahouses and restaurants to relax.
For leisurely vibes away from Beijing’s bustle, this rejuvenating lake offers natural beauty.
China’s National Centre for the Performing Arts is an architectural marvel resembling an enormous shiny black bubble.
Tour the incredible ellipsoid titanium and glass dome, even if not seeing a show. Descend underwater to view the interior hydrophilic skin.
This Beijing icon representing modernity and innovation is an eye-catching attraction.
A family visit to Beijing Zoo offers a chance to see China’s adored icons – giant pandas! – along with red pandas, lions, elephants, chimpanzees and more.
Watch the playful black-and-white bears climb trees and snack on bamboo as devoted crowds look on. See the panda nursery and habitats modeled after Sichuan’s mountain forests at this urban sanctuary.
Nestled at the foot of the Western Hills, Tanzhe Temple has stood since the 3rd century AD.
Stroll the temple’s expansive grounds with ornate multilevel pagodas, sprawling courtyards and majestic halls.
Marvel at the rare collection of vibrant cultural relics housed within. Enjoy scenic trails looping from this Buddhist haven – a peaceful half-day escape.
For lively shopping and souvenir hunting, Silk Street Market is a top destination.
Barter with hundreds of vendors across multiple floors for clothing, accessories, electronics, suitcases, crafts and more.
Prices start high, so negotiate and peruse for hours to get deals on coveted brands and quirky keepsakes. Don’t miss this Beijing shopping institution!
For exquisite Peking duck just like the Qing emperors enjoyed, head to acclaimed Da Dong restaurant.
Expert chefs prepare the duck in traditional ovens before slicing it tableside with precise skill.
Wrap crunchy juicy meat and crispy skin in pancakes with sweet bean sauce for an imperial dining experience.
With impeccable service, Da Dong is a can’t-miss Beijing foodie attraction.
Nestled at the edge of the city, sprawling Jade Spring Hill Park provides a wonderful nature retreat.
Meander along the lush walking trails past gurgling streams, bamboo groves, ponds and pavilions.
Climb up Jade Spring Hill for panoramic city views and admire ornate traditional Chinese landscaping.
For urbanites, this scenic park offers blissful hours of outdoor rejuvenation.
Beijing’s iconic National Stadium hosted the 2008 Olympic Opening Ceremonies and events.
Take a tour of the innovative steel structure affectionately called The Bird’s Nest.
Visit the interactive museum recounting construction of this architectural marvel.
Then snap photos of the stunning arena exterior and chilling out on the park grounds. Don’t miss this landmark Olympic site!
One of the top things to do in Beijing loved by local people is spending the evening at a hole-in-the-wall BBQ restaurant, gorging on juicy cumin-spiced lamb skewers and Chinese beer.
Chuan’r, as it’s known, is a favorite among the Beijing community, found at small eateries you can smell from blocks away!
These spots are often surrounded by groups sitting on tiny plastic chairs – the perfect place if you want to experience incredible Beijing street food and nightlife.
The melt-in-your-mouth lamb is lightly sprinkled with aromatic cumin, salt and sometimes a little chili, then perfectly smoked over a hot coal barbecue. Truly a Beijing highlight.
This gives the meat an unbelievable balance of flavors to savor on a warm summer night in the city.
Order a large bottle of local Yanjing beer, give a hearty “gānbēi!” cheers with your fellow diners, and take in an authentic Beijing experience.
Chuan’r lamb skewers are a top snack to try in Beijing. Follow your nose to these immensely popular holes-in-the-wall for finger-licking Beijing street food loved by locals and travelers alike.
Pull up a tiny plastic stool, grab some skewers, and soak up the city’s irresistible food culture.
The best time to visit this great place is spring (April, May) and fall (September, October) when the weather is most pleasant and perfect for exploring Beijing’s ancient buildings, hutongs, and historical sites.
In spring, walk under blooming trees in Beihai Park or visit the Drum and Bell Towers, two Beijing highlights.
Autumn’s clear skies reveal the full splendor of the Forbidden City’s golden rooftops and offer the best views from Jingshan Park overlooking the palace. Cooler weather also makes climbing the Great Wall more comfortable.
A bonus in autumn is visiting the capital during China’s National Day celebrations.
With its central location and wealth of historical attractions, Dongcheng district makes a great place to stay when visiting Beijing.
Located adjacent to iconic Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, Dongcheng puts you steps away from the Beijing highlights and its most famous sites.
The district also contains many hutongs showcasing traditional architecture as well as the beautiful parks of Beihai and Jingshan.
With multiple subway lines running through Dongcheng, getting around the vast city is easy.
Other excellent central areas to consider are Xicheng district, home to the Bell and Drum Towers, or Chaoyang district for more modern amenities.
But you can’t go wrong basing yourself in Dongcheng, the historical heart of Beijing and a short walk from most of the Beijing highlights.
Accomodations in Beijing’s Dongcheng District.
Beijing offers a feast for the senses with its unparalleled variety of Chinese cuisine. Foodies flock here to sample imperial dishes like Peking duck with perfectly crispy skin and tender meat.
Local specialties like zhajiang noodles, fried sweet bean paste pancakes, and Mongolian hot pot tantalize taste buds in hutong restaurants and night markets.
The cuisines of China’s many regions are also represented in authentic eateries across the city.
Venture beyond safe tourist spots to find hole-in-the-wall restaurants with lines out the door – often a sign of quality local fare.
Though English menus are rare, point and sample new flavors with an adventurous spirit.
With diverse regional specialties, time-honored Peking duck, and an endless array of local delicacies, Beijing is a top destination for experiencing the stunning diversity of Chinese cuisine.
To get a feel for the authentic Beijing, consider staying in a refurbished hutong hotel. Or check out a wider selection of western-style hotels in Beijing.
The best book I ever read about Beijing is “Midnight in Peking.” The book accurately conveys the feel of old Beijing through the fictionalized true story about the murder of an Englishwoman in Beijing.
If you get to Beijing, you will enjoy seeing the locations described in the book.
Want to get your bearings before you go to Beijing? Check this out.
Did you ever get lost finding your way around a large foreign city? What do you think are the attractions you must see in Beijing? What are your favorite Beijing highlights?
BTW, if you are getting ready for your trip, make sure to take advantage of these useful, money-saving links to book your trip:
I personally use, and can recommend, all the companies listed here and elsewhere on my blog. By booking through these sites, the small commission we earn – at no cost to you – helps us maintain this site so we can continue to offer our readers valuable travel tips and advice.
The post WHAT IS BEIJING FAMOUS FOR? 30 BEIJING HIGHLIGHTS appeared first on Travels with Talek.
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]]>A South Beach and Miami Beach walk in the early morning is exhilarating.
It’s the best time to catch some spectacular sunrises and one of the fun things to do in Miami for couples, with a group or solo.
The total distance of this walk is about 4 miles. It can take two hours at a moderate pace, but you can stretch this out to truly absorb the beautiful surroundings.
There’s nothing better than a South Beach sunrise. And, it’s a great addition to any Miami Beach itinerary.
Start at the crossroads of 5th Street and Ocean Drive. The ocean will be right in front of you. Walk north on the beach path and enjoy the South Beach sunrise.
Continue walking north to about 14th street along the world-famous Ocean Drive.
On 10th street you hit the Art Deco Welcome Center in the heart of the Art Deco District on South Beach.
Here you can get all sorts of valuable information on the local Art Deco architecture, historic buildings, popular restaurants, and other things to do in South Beach.
You can even book a tour, get an audio tour or continue your self-guided tour at your own pace.
And don’t forget the gift shop inside and the the public restrooms are next door.
Head back south on world-famous Ocean Drive in the opposite direction from which you came.
This is the iconic, historical district you will recognize. At night this area of South Beach is ablaze with neon lights.
But the early morning South Beach sunrise reflecting on the Art Deco buildings makes for a pretty awesome sight too.
Stop in front of the mediterraneum revival style villa of former Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace, now known as Villa Casa Casuarina.
This is just one of the beautiful buildings you see on your Miami Beach walk.
Look out for others in the Art Deco style like the historic hotel Winter Haven, Leslie Hotel and The Breakwater.
There are even some building in modern styles.
One of the best things to do in this Miami Art Deco District is to have a cafe con leche in one of the popular restaurants surrounded by all the architectural history, enjoying an ocean breeze from the Atlantic Ocean.
Continue walking south passing the luxury high rises in the South of Fifth neighborhood until you hit Ocean Pointe Park and the man-made canal built by the United States government known as Government Cut.
One of the most impressive sights in South Beach is a close-up view of the massive cruise ships traveling through this canal to the open sea.
These are truly stunning views on your Miami Beach walk.
On the left is Ocean Pointe Pier extending out on the ocean.
This pier is always full of people fishing. The pelicans, seagulls and cats eye them with anticipation of a possible meal.
Next on your South Beach, Miami Beach walk is a newly landscaped path through Ocean Pointe Park of Miami, Florida.
Take this marina road through the park and onto the marina with yachts the size of ballrooms. On your right, you’ll pass luxury high rises some of which have sold upwards of $40 million.
Also in the area are excellent restaurants like Smith and Wollensky with outdoor seating and killer views of the South Beach sunrise. Or, the legendary Joe’s Stone Crab, in the same location since 1913.
Both of these are so good you will be talking about your meal here for years to come. Definitely worth a visit during your South Beach walk!
As you continue on your South Beach, Miami Beach walk, on your left in the distance is Fisher Island, which according to CNN, has the zip code with the highest incomes in the country.
You can take a ferry to Fisher Island or book a tour.
The marina road will take you back to 5th street on the northern coast and the end of this walk or you can continue walking east to where the walk began.
And there you have it! The perfect South Beach sunrise and Miami Beach walk.
For those of us that do not own yachts or live in $40 million homes, here is a list of restaurants in the area that serve really good food at mid-range prices.
Puerto Sagua. This restaurant has been around since the 60s serving authentic and delicious Cuban food.
The line to get in is a pain but worth it. Try to go at an off-time like 2 pm so the wait won’t be so long.
CAO (Cuban American Original) Simple, quick and authentic Cuban food. Another draw here is the staff. Just really nice people.
Nick’s Pizza. Authentic New York pizza on South Beach. And they deliver!
If you have time, there are several interesting places to visit in this South Beach area within just a few blocks.
Espanola Way is a delightful pedestrian street with very good restaurants and interesting stores on both sides of the street.
The street is reminisent of a Spanish plaza and is great for a drink as well as a full meal. On 15th street and Washington Avenue.
Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach. Located on 19th Street and Meridian Avenue, this is a touching and beautifully designed memorial created by Holocaute survivor in 1984.
Where to stay in Miami Beach.
Can’t get enough of Miami? Check out these informative posts:
The Best three-day itinerary for Miami.
50 Things Miami is Famous for (it’s not just beaches)
Unique Things to do in Miami.
Experience the coolest neighborhoods in Miami.
Want to visit other parts of the South Florida peninsula? Check out Marco Island and its charms.
What’s your favorite activity on South Beach, Miami Beach walk?
Updated February 2024.
BTW, if you are getting ready for your trip, make sure to take advantage of these useful, money-saving links to book your trip:
I personally use, and can recommend, all the companies listed here and elsewhere on my blog. By booking through these sites, the small commission we earn – at no cost to you – helps us maintain this site so we can continue to offer our readers valuable travel tips and advice.
The post THE PERFECT SOUTH BEACH SUNRISE AND MIAMI BEACH WALK appeared first on Travels with Talek.
]]>The post THE BEST HAVANA RESTAURANTS BY NEIGHBORHOOD-WITH MAPS! appeared first on Travels with Talek.
]]>Havana restaurants sometimes get a bad rap when it comes to variety and service. But the restaurant scene in Havana is in continuous evolution.
The fact is, you can now get some pretty interesting and innovative meals throughout the country.
From the far west valleys of Viñales to the eastern mountains of Santiago de Cuba, Cuban food and restaurants, especially Havana restaurants, have been experiencing a renaissance over the years.
For some years now, private enterprise restaurants known as “paladares” have been flourishing in Cuba, but even more so in the capital city. Eating in paladares is one of the major DOs of the dos and don’ts for your Cuba trip.
Here is a little bit of history on how the paladares came about.
Shortly after the Berlin wall fell in the early 1990s, the Soviet Union, which had been propping up the Cuban government since the 1960s, cut off support to Cuba.
As a result, the country was plunged into a dire economic state which has come to be known as the periodo especial or special period.
The economic crises lingered and the average Cuban suffered. The government was forced to get creative to counter the effects of the economic crises.
One solution was to introduce a bit of private enterprise by allowing Cubans to set up a limited amount of tables in their homes and sell homecooked food.
These establishments were called paladares. The name means “palete.” The words paladar and restaurant are frequently used interchangeably.
The difference is that paladares are private enterprise restaurants rather than government run. Also, the paladares are better in almost every respect; quality, service, variety, ambiance.
The paladar concept took off and as they evolved, regulations changed. The more successful paladares left the confines of private homes and moved to more spacious and convenient accommodations.
Some paladares became so successful they found themselves competing on an international level with world-class eateries. One example is Doña Eutemia, a charming establishment just off Cathedral Plaza.
We hope these restaurants continue to weather the economic storms and pursue their dedication to delicious food in innovative environments.
Read on to learn about Cuban food and some unique Havana restaurants where you can sample authentic Cuban food in this fascinating city.
There are a couple of things that need to be established upfront. First, Cuban food is not spicy. Neither is it bland. These are common misconceptions that I am constantly surprised by.
Cuban food is very flavorful and, when done right, it is delicious.
As is the case with many cuisines, the richness of contemporary Cuban food in Havana restaurants comes from the blending of many cultures throughout the centuries.
The Spaniards arrived in Cuba in 1492 with their cooking methods and livestock. These blended with native Indian ingredients like corn, sweet potato, and guava.
A short while after, enslaves Africans were brought to Cuba from West Africa. They brought their own influences and introduced okra, plantain, and guinea hen.
By the early 19th Century, waves of French immigrants were flooding into Cuba retreating from the Haitian Revolution.
As if the influences of rich cultures like Spain, indigenous people, France and West Africa were not enough, 150,000 Chinese contract workers arrived in Cuba to work the sugar plantations around the mid-1800s.
Many of these workers stayed once their contracts were completed.
They too contributed cooking methods and ingredients to the local cuisine as they opened restaurants in what became the largest and most vibrant Chinatown in Latin America.
So now Cuba had influences from Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa all blending, mixing, fusing and creating something unique and delivering the Cuban cuisine we know today.
The foundation of a typical, contemporary Cuban dish is olive oil, parsley, garlic and onions. Most dishes spring from those ingredients.
The most popular Cuban dish is generally acknowledged to be “Ropa Vieja” which translates into “old clothes” so named due to its appearance of shredded cloth.
The dish is composed of shredded beef in tomato sauce seasoned with garlic, cumin and cilantro.
Another traditional dish is roast pork. This dish is eaten any time of year but especially during Christmas Eve “Noche Buena” celebrations.
Common accompaniments or side dishes include white rice, black beans, fried plantains and yuca, a starchy tuber served with garlic and oil.
Havana has many restaurants offering a variety of international cuisine. But I wanted to focus on the eateries that offered typical Cuban food.
Herein is a curated list of the best places to have a classic Cuban meal in a Havana restaurant.
On a side street in Centro Habana, this is where U.S. President Obama had lunch with his family when he traveled to Cuba.
As is the case with many paladares, San Cristobal was originally established in the owner’s home, a turn-of-the-century residence.
As the business grew so did the restaurant’s expansion until it filled most of the home. The decorations are eclectic and include a Santeria (local Afro-Cuban religion) altar.
In one corner sits a portrait of Obama. The wine glass he drank from is encased under a glass dome.
The food in Paladar San Cristobal can also tend towards the eclectic but solid Cuban fare is the standard. We had “chilindron de chivo” (goat stew). The best I’ve ever tasted.
*****
Everything about La Guarida is fascinating. Let’s start with its history.
The restaurant has been in the same location at Concordia # 418, in Centro Habana, for over 20 years.
What really put this restaurant on the map was that this is where Cuba’s most famous and awarded film, “Strawberries and Chocolate”, was filmed.
The building boasts graceful vestiges of better days and the entrance looks like it hasn’t seen a paintbrush in decades. That’s part of the charm.
You go inside, through an apartment complex where residents are hanging laundry, and up a rickety spiral staircase.
It’s on the landing where the whole scenario changes. The restaurant opens up to bright tropical colors of yellow and burnt orange.
Whimsical decorations cover the walls. The floors are wonderful examples of classic Cuban tiles from the turn of the last century. That’s the dining room.
Go up another flight of stairs and you’re on the rooftop with a cool breeze and expansive views. You can have a drink and snacks on the roof top without having dinner. But do try to have a meal here.
The food is exceptional.
Some say it’s the best restaurant in Havana. It’s a little on the pricy side but worth it for the experience.
Insider tip: Reservations are highly recommended or you will not get a table.
*****
In 2012, Doña Eutemia was voted one of the best 101 restaurants in the world by Newsweek.
This wonderful little paladar of Cuban culinary treasures sits right smack in the middle of Old Havana on a side street off Plaza de la Catedral (Cathedral Square) next to what is perhaps the most iconic sight in all Havana, the Cathedral.
The restaurant was not accepting reservations last time I was there but this might have changed. The meals are reasonably priced and it is difficult to get a table.
We tried to get a table at 2 PM, an unusual time for lunch or dinner, and were successful.
You may want to try a similar tactic. If you’re in Havana, do your best to try this place. You won’t be disappointed.
Insider tip: Try making a reservation at an unusual time to increase your changes of getting a table.
*****
There is a lot to be said about El Cocinero. It is the only one of these five paladares that is outside of Old Havana or Centro Havana.
El Cocinero is located in the upscale neighborhood of El Vedado to the west of Havana. It is in a restored old cooking oil factory on the roof top.
The food is classic Cuban at its core but it flares up to offer innovative creations around seafood and traditional dishes.
It is an explosion of flavors, colors and aromas in a unique and unforgetable venue.
The other resident of the restored cooking oil factory is the unique, Fabrica de Arte Cubano (Cuban Art Factory) or F.A.C. for short.
This is an entertainment venue unlike anything I have ever seen anywhere and a must-see in Havana.
Three or four massive floors of art exhibits, cinema, dance performances, musicians, dancing, restaurants, snack bars, poetry readings, fashion shows, bars…you name it, if it’s art, it is there.
It makes sense to have dinner at El Cocinero then head to the F.A.C. for an unforgettable evening. Doors open at 8pm at the F.A.C. but the line to get in starts forming around 6:30.
Insider tip: Call for hours to both the F.A.C. and El Cocinero as they change frequently.
*****
The paladar is named after the very busy thoroughfare it is on.
Los Mercaderes street runs north and south through Old Havana connecting two of Havana’s most picturesque plazas; Plaza Vieja and Plaza de La Catedral.
These are destinations you will find if you follow your own self-guided walk in Old Havana.
This is a wonderful street full of interesting stores, snack bars, parks and stunning architecture.
Los Mercaderes # 207, in on the second floor in front of a leafy park with vendors selling everything from parrots to puppies.
The paladar offers reasonably priced “menu del dia,” or daily specials at lunch time. They frequently have musicians roaming the various dining rooms.
The food is classic Cuban with all the traditional trimmings. This place is hard to beat for ambiance, quality and price in the center of Old Havana.
We arranged for a surprise birthday celebration for one of our party, and it went off without a hitch! This is why Los Mercaderes is one of my favorite Havana Restaurants.
*****
This little gem is a recent addition to the best Havana restaurants and deserves honorable mention.
Nestled on the corner of Aguiar and Chacon streets in Old Havana (Havana Vieja), this restaurant is truly exceptional.
Despite its name, it has nothing to do with anything French. It is purly traditional Cuban with a nouvo Cuban flair.
In reviewing Le Petit, I personally found it an absolute delight. Reading the reviews on various sites, I did not find one single negative or even mediocre review.
How they managed that is beyond me.
Go to Le Petit for solid Cuban fare at reasonable prices, good service and conveniently located in Habana Vieja. What else could you ask for?
Don’t even think of leaving Havana without experiencing this delightful little gem.
Plan H is a new wine bar serves a wide selection of seriously good wines, light meals, tapas and snacks. All freshly made, beautifully presented, attentively served and YUMMY!
There are two other really cool features of this amazng place. First it is owned and run by women and it promotes female entrepreneurship.
Second, it is right smack in the middle of one of Havana’s oldest, most beautiful and renowned avenues, the Paseo del Prado.
The restaurant also features music and events on selected evenings.
*****
Despite hardships and the scarcity of key ingredients in Cuba, Cuban chefs have continued to create. Cuban-American chefs Alain Rivas, Jaime de Rosa and James Beard Award winner, Douglas Rodriguez have led culinary tours to Cuba.
New paladares crop up with increasing frequency. Havana restaurants are coming into their own and attracting international attention. And prices have not reached those of similar restaurants elsewhere.
In no particular order, here are some of my other favorite restaurants Havana by neighborhood.
El Dandy is always fun. It has a pretty broad selection of fresh salads, sandwiches and small dishes.
These are served in what looks like someone’s living room with overstuffed chairs, mismatched lamps and large gilded mirrors.
They have a fun bar with tropical themed specialties. My all-time favorite drink is a ginger laced gin tonic. I have spent years trying to duplicate this drink to no avail (but it is fun to try).
The crowd is mostly tourists, but many Cubans stop here.
One of El Dandy’s attractions is that it sits on a corner of El Cristo Plaza, a major internet connection point.
Teniente Rey Street, El Cristo Plaza, La Habana
***
O’Reilly 304 and El del Frente
These two Havana restaurants are both on O’Reilly street – numbers 304 and 303 respectively. O’Reilly is a busy thoroughfare running east to west in Old Havana.
The food is traditional Cuban fare, fresh, tasty and reasonably priced with similar – but not identical – menus in both locations.
The first restaurant was O’Reilly 304. It was so successful that they expanded across the street and created EL del Frente which literally means “the one across the street.”
El del Frente has a rooftop area for snacks and drinks which is also a lot of fun. You won’t go wrong in either of these two paladares.
#304 O’Reilly Street, La Habana
***
Mas Havana which means “More Havana” is a cool place with even cooler music.
Sometimes the musicians play during the week in the evenings, sometimes just on the weekends, so you’ll have to find out beforehand.
The food is standard Cuban but you go for the music which is world-class.
Habana Street No. 308 between San Juan de Dios and O’Reilly Streets, La Habana
***
El Café is more like an American cafeteria serving what you’d expect to find there, hamburgers, breakfasts, sandwiches and juices.
There is no Cuban food here, but it is solid tasty food in a centrally located, air-conditioned location.
#358 La Amargura Street, La Habana
***
D’Next is the closest you’re going to get to a Cuban sports bar.
They have satellite with many of the games so you can nurse a drink and snacks and cheer along with the locals.
The food is cafeteria style and budget friendly. Pizza is a specialty here. Many Cuban pizzas contain pineapple so if you don’t like that you can ask them to remove it.
They also have burgers and other small plates. Prices are reasonable with a burger costing about $5.00.
#512 Teniente Rey Street, La Habana
***
This is a high-end paladar which has been successful since it opened.
The name translates into “5 senses.” It is a formal Havana restaurant with attentive service and outstanding food.
Notwithstanding the venue, the prices are surprisingly reasonable with a main course going for less than US$20 per person. The wine was also well priced.
I saw duck and rabbit on the menu which is unusual. We went with a group and everything was delicious.
This is a serene, pleasant place with everything you would expect of a fine-dining establishment. I imagine this is what all high-end Cuban restaurants would have been like if politics had not interrupted their progress.
San Juan de Dios Street # 67, corner of Compostela Street, La Habana
***
The rumor is that the Chef Ivan Justo was once a chef for Fidel Castro.
It wouldn’t surprise me at all. The food is good enough for any head of state.
This paladar is stretched out over two floors in an unassuming building that looks truly ancient. The restaurant specializes in seafood but there are also snacks and small plates.
The drinks are fun. One of the best mojitos I ever had in Cuba I had here at Ivan Justo.
My favorite part of this paladar, other than the food and the cool mojitos, is the ambiance with its interesting decorations and old photos on the wall.
Ivan Justo is centrally located in Old Havana and looks out on Prado Avenue with its beautiful walkway and fascinating architecture, one of the best walks in Havana.
Be aware that this paladar is frequently called by its address, Aguacate street # 9, rather than its official name.
Aguacate #9, corner Chacon, La Habana. Across the street from the Museo de la Revolucion (Museum of the Revolution).
***
This place is a little too touristy for my taste, but it is conveniently located, and the food is good. The menus are in English.
El Rum Rum is good for taking a break and grabbing a nice meal of comfort food; pizza, sandwiches and snacks, in an air-conditioned environment while you plan your next stop.
They also have more substantial fare like seafood at reasonable prices.
256 Empedrado Street, La Habana
***
This is hands-down one of the best paladares I’ve been to in Havana. The word “Chanchullero” translates loosely into “troublemaker.”
Chanchullero, is just off El Cristo Plaza that doubles as a major internet connection point. This paladar straddles two floors and it is always busy because it is always good.
I heard about how good it was and tried to visit a couple of times but the line out the door was always a deterrent.
Finally, I made it and ate at the downstairs section. I had pork, yuca (a starchy tuber drenched in garlic) and an avocado salad. It was exceptional.
Tourists have discovered this place, yet it remains a bastion of solid traditional Cuban fare at its best.
Teniente Rey Street, corner Bernaza Street on El Cristo Plaza.
Note: The last time I was there in June 2022, it was closed. People nearby told me it would open shortly as they were closed during COVID. I hope so. I’d hate to lose this little gem.
***
Centro Habana or Central Havana, is the neighborhood to the west of Old Havana. The dividing line between both neighborhoods is Prado Avenue where the iconic capitol building is located.
The neighborhood is quite different from Old Havana with much fewer tourists. This is an area where Cubans actually live and work vs just catering to tourists as in Old Havana.
The area can appear a little rough for first- timers, but it is very safe. The prices are noticeably less than in Old Havana.
Centro Habana is home to two restaurants highlighted at the beginning of this post; La Guarida and San Cristobal.
Nurmi’s Cafe
This is a small unassuming paladar serving standard Cuban fare. The prices are very cheap and it caters mostly to Cubans.
It takes a while to get served because everything is made to order from scratch. Cuban home cooking at its best.
160 Neptuno, corner of Consulado Street, Centro Habana
***
This is another one of my all-time favorites.
El Biky is a couple of streets from the impressive University of Havana steps, on Infanta Street, a major thoroughfare.
El Biky is a restaurant, cafeteria, bakery and bar taking up the entire street and two floors.
The food is very good, the prices are reasonable -but not dirt cheap- and the service is attentive.
They have great American style breakfasts with every fruit juice imaginable. It is also a good place to grab some sandwiches to take with you on a day-trip excursion or to the beach.
That food will probably be better than what you will get at your destination.
Infanta #412, corner San Lazaro and Concordia streets, Centro Habana.
El Vedado is the next neighborhood to the west of Centro Habana. The name Vedado means forbidden in Spanish.
During colonial times, the Spanish colonizers closed off the area, which had been a thick vast forest, and converted it to a military defense zone. Hence the name, Vedado.
Vedado is one of the neighborhoods where the upper-class pre-revolutionary Cubans lived before the 1959 revolution.
The neighborhood is full of crumbling mansions some of which have been turned into restaurants and casas particular (homestays or guest houses).
The main drag is 23rd Street, also called La Rampa. Some of the best restaurants in the area are found off this main street.
Vedado is home to La Fabrica de Arte Cubana (F.A.C.). This is one of the most innovative and unusual art venues anywhere. It is also where you’ll find El Cocinero restaurant mentioned above.
***
Another dining option close to the the F.A.C. – it’s actually in the next neighborhood over but close enough – is the seafood restaurant, Amigos del Mar (Friends of the Sea).
The food is fresh, reasonable priced and served in a pleasant environment with a water view.
O Street between 5th and 5TA-B, Miramar
***
This is a fun, unusual paladar smack in the center of Vedado near the Capri Hotel, a famous Mafia hangout of the 1950s.
The restaurant is in a high-rise apartment that must have been cutting edge when first built.
You’ll have to really pay attention to find the front door because that’s all it is, a small unassuming little door.
Inside, an antique elevator takes you to the fourth floor where you’ll find the restaurant with spectacular views of the city.
The walls are covered in 1950s newspapers and advertisements and the whole place has a pre-revolutionary vibe.
The food is very good, classic Cuban with some international dishes.
What’s most interesting about the place is that it is in a converted apartment, as are many other restaurants in Havana.
***
Just like it is fun visiting Havana paladares in unusual venues like a high-rise apartment or a refurbished factory, El Atelier is fun to visit because it is in one of those beautiful old pre-revolutionary mansions.
You should visit one of these renovated mansions to imagine what life was like for the pre-revolutionary, ultra-wealthy barons of industry and commerce.
The food is excellent – among the best of the Havana restaurants – and worth every bit of the price tag.
You’ll get no Cuban bargains here although prices are still reasonable by international standards.
Take a moment to walk around the restaurant and check out the art which is for sale. It is very difficult to get a reservation so keep trying and book at a less popular time.
Try to get a seat on the terrace and dine by the twinkling lights.
5th corner of Paseo and 2, Vedado
Hotels in Cuba are government owned or joint-ventures with foreign entities.
The food in hotels tends to be bland and at international prices. Don’t bother with these.
Head to the paladares, support private enterprise and chalk up another “support for the Cuban People” activity.
There are a couple of touristy places that you should visit but are not good choices for meals. The first is El Floridita, one of Ernest Hemingway’s haunts.
The rumor is the daiquiri, one of the four classic Cuban cocktails, was invented here. It wasn’t. It was invented in the town of Daiquiri in western Cuba.
The food here is bland and exists solely to separate tourists from their money. Still, do visit and take a photo with the life-size bronze statue of Hemingway at the bar.
Granted this is a very touristy thing to do and may not be your thing, but I’m a sucker for these silly touristy activities and you may be too.
The other Havana restaurant not to eat at is La Bodeguita del Medio, another Hemingway haunt.
Here the writer sipped mojitos and wrote his name on the wall like hundreds of other visitors -you can too.
Definitely visit but don’t eat here. The food is indifferent at best. There are many more interesting and delicious restaurants in Havana.
Most of the street food mentioned here costs less than one U.S. dollar unless otherwise stated.
Fried plantains accompany many Cuban dishes.
These tasty, thick and flattened pieces of plantain are eaten as a very common side dish, like potatoes or rice and are sold on many street corners from street vendors.
Another plantain variation is the very thin deep-fried plantain chip which are eaten like a potato chip.
Coconut ice cream made with fresh coconuts and served in real coconut shells is a real treat on hot Havana days.
It is sold in many tourist areas mostly from restaurant windows where there is access to refrigeration.
Pizza is ubiquitous in Cuba. You are never too far from a slice no matter where you are.
Heads up: Cubans love to put pineapple pieces on pizza. Fair warning.
Malanga fritters are pieces of taro, a tuber-like root, dipped in an egg and garlic mixture then deep-fried to a golden brown.
They are frequently served with a dip in restaurants but on the street you’ll get them wrapped in the local newspaper.
Other common street food includes various sandwiches, mostly egg or sliced pork. These sandwiches may cost more than one U.S. dollar, maybe US$1.50.
Churros, originally from Spain, are sugar-coated deep fried dough sticks. Curiously addictive.
Coppelia Ice Cream is an ice cream shop on 23rd Street in the Vedado neighborhood. Here you can get scoops of yummy ice cream for cents. The line is long but worth it.
Cangrejitos, which translates into “little crabs” are fruit stuffed pastries in the shape of a twisted design resembling a crab, hence the name.
There is a tiny shop – fits only two customers max – across from the capitol building that sells them. You can’t miss it, just look for the line.
Insider tip: Cangrejitos are also sold in other parts of the city but that little shop seems to be ground zero.
Fruit pastries. Similar to cangrejitos above, theses fruit pastries are flaky and filled will different fruits. You’ll see vendors with their carts wandering the streets.
Look for the little groups of people congregating around them. Buy a bunch and take them with you to the beach.
Cucurruchos de mani. These are peanuts, frequently warm, served in a cone-shaped paper container called a cucurrucho.
This is me at 6 years old in the Havana Zoo holding a cucurruccho full of peanuts.
And now for the queen of street food not only in Cuba but, arguably, any where in the world. Drumroll, please…the BATIDO. Practice saying it…”ba-ti-do.”
Phonetically it is pronounced “bah-tee-doe.” The word means “shake” as in milkshake or fruit shake. You will want to know this word.
Cuba is blessed with a wide assortment of delicious local tropical fruits: mango, guava, pineapple, soursop, papaya, tamarind, bananas, coconut, passion fruit…and that’s barely scratching the surface.
They have fruits you’ve never heard of.
These tropical fruits are used to make shakes or juices and are among the most delicious concoctions you will ever encounter on a street corner or a storefront anywhere on planet earth.
Seriously, this stuff is so good you will stop total strangers on the street, shove these shakes in front of them and say , “taste this, taste this!”
Definitely one of the Cuban treats you should try.
Havana restaurants will surprise and delight you with their quality and tasty, innovative cuisine.
Have you had Cuban food? Where? Share your stories.
Do you know where you will be staying in Havana? I recommend you stay at a “casa particular” this is a Cuban B&B.
These are reasonably priced, serve killer breakfasts and can be found throughout the country.
You can book a casa particular online on many guest house websites like Homestay.
And make sure to bring my book over with you, Don’t Just Travel to Cuba, Experience It: The Ultimate Cuba Travel Guide.
Want to learn how to make Cuban food at home? Try recipes from these Cuban cookbooks:
What are your thoughts about Havana restaurants? What Cuban food would you like to try? Let us know in the comments.
BTW, if you are getting ready for your trip, make sure to take advantage of these useful, money-saving links to book your trip:
I personally use, and can recommend, all the companies listed here and elsewhere on my blog. By booking through these sites, the small commission we earn – at no cost to you – helps us maintain this site so we can continue to offer our readers valuable travel tips and advice.
The post THE BEST HAVANA RESTAURANTS BY NEIGHBORHOOD-WITH MAPS! appeared first on Travels with Talek.
]]>The post 20 TOP HAVANA MUSEUMS YOU MUST SEE appeared first on Travels with Talek.
]]>Havana museums do not get the credit they deserve. When you think Cuba, you think music, classic American cars, colonial architecture, smooth rum and a vibrant nightlife among other things.
But Havana has so much to offer in the realm of the arts.
Here is a curated list of some of the best museums in Havana, from breathtaking works of art to historical to quirky, these museums deliver.
On par with top museums worldwide, this museum has an extensive and diverse collection and is easily one of the best museums in Havana.
With two impressive buildings, one dedicated to Cuban Arts (the Palacio de Bellas Artes) and the other dedicated to Universal Arts in the International Gallery, this is the mother of all museums in Havana.
The National Museum of Fine Arts of Havana displays exhibits spanning the colonial era up through contemporary art by world-renowned artists. There is surely something here for everyone.
Insider tip: Spend the bulk of your time in the Cuban art wing. It is extraordinary.
*****
If you’re a fan of 19th-century history, then you should add this to your list of museums in Havana, Cuba to see.
It houses one of the largest collections of Napoleon Bonaparte’s belongings, and period artifacts, outside of France.
The museum is housed in a beautiful setting in a former mansion. The rooms and gardens display recreations of what the mansion looked like during that period.
You should note that unless you speak Spanish, you’ll need a guide/interpreter as most of the information is written in Spanish.
*****
Located on Plaza San Francisco, the Church and Convent of St. Francis of Assisi was built at the end of the 16th century and then restored in the 17th century in the Baroque style.
While it no longer houses a convent, it is now a museum and concert hall, boasting some of the best acoustics in the city.
If you’re not afraid of heights, you should definitely climb the stairs to the roof of the bell tower, standing 138 ft. high, to get some of the best views of the city.
This beautiful plaza is one of the four main plazas of Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can visit them all on a self-guided walk of Old Havana.
Photo Credit: By Eric Weingart – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
*****
One of the most fascinating museums in Havana, Cuba is the Tequechel Pharmacy Museum. Step back in time to see what a pharmacy of days gone by might have looked like.
With wooden shelves lined by flasks and ceramic jars filled with herbal concoctions, this family pharmacy founded in 1898 by Francisco Taquechel was restored in 1996 and now serves as both a museum and a working pharmacy.
You will find several restored pharmacies like this in Havana, for example, Drogueria Johnson and Museo de la Farmacia Habanera, including one displaying a skeleton.
Photo Credit: Flickr
*****
Another of the best museums in Havana you must see is the Museo del Ron Havana Club.
Located in an 18th-century palace in the heart of Old Havana, this is a museum created to tell the story of everything related to the history and manufacturing of rum.
It features the traditional rum-making process and a store with a stellar selection of aged rums.
Insider Tip: Get free samples at the bar.
*****
Inaugurated in 1920 by President Marío Garcia Menocal, the former Presidential Palace was designed by the Cuban architect Rodolfo Maruri and the Belgian architect Paul Belau, who also designed what is presently known as the Gran Teatro de La Habana.
It remained the Presidential Palace until the Cuban Revolution of 1959.
The exhibits are mostly dedicated to the history of the Cuban Revolution of 1959, but there are also a few exhibits devoted to pre-revolutionary Cuba, including the 1895-1898 War of Independence against Spain.
*****
Billed as a museum, the Museo del Chocolate is more of a tasting room/café where the chocolate is to die for!
The part that you would consider a museum houses displays about the history of cacao, production, and commercialization.
For chocolate connoisseurs, you will be impressed by the materials donated by Belgian museums, including posters of long-gone Belgian chocolate brands like Martougin.
Insider tip: Try the hot or cold chocolate. Just trust me on this.
>> Like this post? Download a FREE PDF of it here for your files. <<
*****
Occupying the entire west side of Plaza de Armas, one of the 4 main squares of Havana, is the Museum of the City of Havana.
This imposing structure was once the headquarters of the Spanish government in Cuba, and home to the Viceroys that ruled the island. After Cuban independence in 1898, it served as the headquarters of the U.S. military administration.
Today the building is a fine museum displaying the history of Havana from its founding.
Inside you will see artifacts relating to all aspects of the city’s development over the centuries.
One of the most interesting exhibits is the living quarters of the Spanish governors complete with furniture and place settings with the family’s crest.
Much of the exhibits in this museum in Havana are military-related; uniforms, carriages, and weaponry. There is also an elaborate throne room for the visiting Spanish king – who never came.
Insider tip: Don’t miss the peacocks wandering the interior patio near the statue of Christopher Columbus.
*****
Finca Vigia, Ernest Hemingway’s home on the outskirts of Havana is a large airy residence with a fantastic view, sitting atop a hill in the Cuban countryside.
Hemingway lived here from 1939 to 1960 when he became ill and moved back to the United States.
It was in this modest but well-appointed home that Hemingway wrote his classic, The Old Man and the Sea, and parts of For Whom the Bell Tolls.
When Hemingway returned to the United States, the Cuban government expropriated the farm.
After years of neglect that left the farm in danger of collapse, the government restored it in 2007 and opened it to tourism.
This museum is a nice drive outside of the city and well worth visiting.
*****
Often overlooked, the Museo de Arte Colonial is one of the Havana museums that shouldn’t be missed.
It is here you can see what life was like for the wealthy Cubans during the colonial period.
The large two-story yellow house opens up onto a vast courtyard. The rooms are filled with colonial furniture, clothing, china, and other antiques, all depicting the aristocratic lifestyle.
*****
If you are fascinated by the Santeria religion, the religion brought over to Cuba by enslaved Africans, then this museum is worth a stop.
It is a small but fascinating collection of Afro Cuban items that have spiritual significance. It’s worth noting that the exhibits are in Spanish, so you’ll need a guide if you want to gain a full understanding of the items shown.
It’s also fun to get there as you have to take the ferry from Havana. It’s a cool experience with very few tourists. Very “authentic Cuba.”
*****
This railway carriage, still sitting on rails outside the Museo Palacio de Gobierno, originally belonged to the Cuban Railroad Company.
Starting in 1902, it was used by Cuban presidents on campaign trips and official visits. Inside you can see the intricately inlaid mahogany furniture and ornate silver and glassware.
*****
Named after the Cuban surrealist painter, Wilfredo Lam (often referred to as the Cuban Picasso) this gallery and Havana museum is housed in the beautiful 18th-century Casa del Obispo Penalver, just behind the Catedral de la Habana, Havana’s Cathedral.
It opened in 1983 for the purpose of studying, researching, and the promotion of contemporary visual arts in developing countries such as Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Caribbean.
You can also find a permanent exhibit of Lam’s lithographs and etchings.
*****
While easy to miss, this small museum in Havana is worth a stop if you have an hour or two to kill. It houses a wide array of antique and contemporary ceramics.
While many pieces are artistic and decorative in nature, others are filled with great political significance.
To get the full experience you’ll need a guide to explain the significance of each piece as the displays are only in Spanish.
*****
This museum located in Old Havana offers you a chance to discover the influence of African culture on Cuba.
There are over 2,000 African artifacts on display, most of which come from regions of Africa where Afro Cuban ancestors had been taken as slaves. This is another interesting museum where, unfortunately, the displays are all in Spanish.
*****
The Museum of Decorative Arts in Havana sits north of 23rd street (calle 23) which divides the Vedado neighborhood, at 17th and E streets.
I love this little museum because of the beauty of the collections as well as its history.
In its heyday, in the first half of the 20th century, Vedado was the wealthiest and most fashionable neighborhood in Cuba.
Even though many of the Vedado mansions now appear neglected and in dire need of a paint job, the opulence and magnificence of some still shine though their faded glory.
One such mansion is the Museum of Decorative Arts. It was once the home of the Gomez-Mena family, one of Cuba’s richest.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/uugCPRUMTcc
The Gomez family owned huge swaths of Havana including the famous Manzana de Gomez, once a shopping center and today the site of the luxury Kempinski hotel.
The home was turned into a museum shortly after the Revolution. Today it houses sumptuous works of art and furniture. Each room houses a specific art style such as Art Deco, Art Nouveau or Oriental.
The exhibit includes original works by Tiffany, Lalique, Limoges and Wedgewood to mention a few.
More impressive still is the mansion itself, lovingly restored to its former glory. Designed in Paris by French architects, the home was built between 1924 and 1927 in a neo-classical, French Renaissance style.
Insider tip: Spring for the guided tour to get all the gossip and back stories.
*****
Havana’s iconic capitol building sits on Paseo del Prado straddling the neighborhoods of Old Havana and Central Havana. Across the street is Central Park, arguably the prettiest part of the city.
Completed in 1926 over what was once a railroad, the building is now adorned with colorful marble, wrought iron and open-air interior patios.
Although similar in design to the capitol building in Washington, DC, the design was, in fact, inspired by the Pantheon in Paris.
It houses the third largest indoor statue in the world, a magnificent statue of a woman in armor representing the Republic of Cuba.
The building fell into neglect after the Revolution but has been recently restored to house the country’s Congress once again. English language guided tours are given regularly for $10.00.
This beautiful building is worth a visit for its history as well as its splendor.
*****
At the mouth of Havana Bay, mere steps from the location said to be where the city was founded, is the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, a massive fort completed in 1577 to defend the city.
The fort formed part of the fortifications surrounding Havana, colonial Spain’s prized possession.
The large, brooding structure had many uses over the years, a governor’s residence, barracks, repository for the city’s archives, ceramic museum, and government offices.
Finally, in 2010, the city found its true calling as a maritime museum.
In the interior is a well-maintained museum. There you’ll find precious metals retrieved from shipwrecks, pre-Colombian archeological artifacts, maritime instruments, enormous ship models and more.
Today, what remains of the fortifications and Old Havana in its entirety are a UNESCO World Heritage site.
*****
Created and housed in the headquarters of, the Asociación Cultural Yoruba de Cuba, this museum is dedicated to Santería, the Afro-Cuban religion widely practiced in Cuba.
The museum features sculptures representing the different Afro-Cuban orishas (saint-gods.) It is the first of its kind in the world.
Enslaved Africans brought to the New World were not able to pray to or create temples to their gods.
In an effort to maintain their religions, they worshiped their gods while appearing to pray to Catholic saints. They hid their beliefs and celebrated their religions during Catholic holidays to avoid detection.
Located on beautiful Prado Avenue diagonally across from the capitol, the Orisha museum is a can’t-miss attraction.
A visit to this interesting museum presents an opportunity to learn about a very interesting aspect of Cuban culture.
Insider tip: Usually on Fridays there is an Afro-Cuban dance performance but check before hand to ensure the performance is scheduled.
*****
One of the best day trips from Havana (and easiest) by bus, Fusterlandia is a gallery created by Cuban artist José Fuster.
To call this complex a gallery almost doesn’t do it justice. Fuster began building the studio back in 1975 and has been working on it ever since.
He covered his building with mosaic tiles. When he ran out of space, he asked his neighbors for permission to decorate their buildings, too, and, surprisingly, they agreed.
The overall impression is an outrageous eclectic collection of staircases leading to nowhere, splashing pools exploding into fountains, and fantastical animal statues, all created in multicolor mosaics.
The designs are reminiscent of the Catalan artist, Gaudi with touches of Picasso and Cuban artist Wilfredo Lam.
Now mosaics cover public as well as private spaces, such as buildings, offices, fountains, and benches.
Fuster continues his work throughout this once crumbling neighborhood to this day. It is now a lively destination on all visitor’s must-visit list, thanks to the artist’s reclaiming of its spaces.
A taxi here from downtown Havana costs around 15 to 20 USD. The hop-on-hop-off bus tours stop at Fusterlandia, so you can always coordinate your trip here to coincide with a day you plan to use your pass.
You get the hop-on-hop-off bus in front of the Hotel Inglaterra in Parque Central. The taxi ride takes around 15 minutes (add an extra hour on to that time for the bus).
Make sure to take a good guide book with you.
Here is a Havana museum and architecture walk that covers some of the most iconic streets, views, landmarks, and museums.
This can easily be a full day affair for the culture vulture lover of art and history. Or cherry-pick your favorite location and move on to other Havana highlights.
>> Like this post? Download a FREE PDF of it here for your files. <<
When you visit Havana, make sure to stay at a casa particular, Cuba’s version of a bed and breakfast. You can book a casa particular for Havana here.
My book, Don’t Just Travel to Cuba, Experience Cuba: The Ultimate Cuba Travel Guide not only gives you the best places to go, but it also explores the history and culture of the island nation.
So now that you have a ton of Havana museums to choose from, which ones are top on your list?
Updated January 2024
And if you like this post, you’ll love these:
BTW, if you are getting ready for your trip, make sure to take advantage of these useful, money-saving links to book your trip:
I personally use, and can recommend, all the companies listed here and elsewhere on my blog. By booking through these sites, the small commission we earn – at no cost to you – helps us maintain this site so we can continue to offer our readers valuable travel tips and advice.
The post 20 TOP HAVANA MUSEUMS YOU MUST SEE appeared first on Travels with Talek.
]]>The post THE BEST NIGHTCLUBS IN HAVANA, CUBA TO ENJOY CUBAN NIGHTLIFE appeared first on Travels with Talek.
]]>The best nightclubs in Havana are legendary. Some have been around since the 1930s — a few longer than that — and they are still utterly cool.
Read on to learn where to go for the best music, dance and vibe in Havana today and where to experience the best Cuban nightlife.
The Fabrica de Arte Cubano (FAC) is an experience. It is a large industrial type venue created in a refurbished cooking oil factory.
So is the FAC a nightclub? It is a unique venue.
A happy and unique mixture of art gallery, theater, cinema, dance, live music from jazz to symphonies, all sorts of live performances, DJ music, restaurants, cute little bars with snacks, shops and…take a breath…so much more.
Definitely one of the best nightclubs in Havana.
This is a place to wander with a drink in hand. Sway on the dancefloor, peruse the quirky art galleries for great photo ops.
Located in the more upscale Vedado neighborhood, the FAC is a very popular Havana nightspot. As of this writing it is only open from Thursday to Sunday.
It opens at 8PM and there is always a line to get in so arrive at least half an hour early.
Insider tip: Don’t eat at the restaurant because it will take you years to get served.
Either eat before your arrive or have a snack at one of the many little bars and wander around.
This is it, guys. The mother of all Havana nightclubs and cabaret shows. A cultural institution since 1939, Cabaret Tropicana is still packing them in.
As one tourist recently stated, “Is it cheesy? Yes! Is it fun? Hell, yes! Is it impressive? Yes! Should you go? Yes! So go, if you have the time. It’s worth it for the truly unique experience.
https://youtu.be/IDfwTdUBKhc?si=TWuOQ31_ehJytPiP
Generally there are three types of tickets ranging from US$75 to US$100.00 per person.
These are for general admission for the show only, and the show with dinner included. Frequenly there are tickets for special occasions like New Years Eve.
You’ll find Cabaret Parisien in the legendary Hotel Nacional. It is a classy, upscale Havana nightclub worthy of the hotel in which it’s located.
Cabaret Parisien is a flashy floorshow with all the sequins, fish-net stockings, voluminous gowns and impossibly busy headresses you’d expect from a Vegas production. But all with a very Cuban vibe.
The show lasts about 90 minutes and leaves you amazed at the energy and endurance of the performers.
Tickets range from US$75 per person for dinner and the show, to US$45 for just the show. This includes two drinks.
Insider tip: Prices fluctuate so make sure to check first.
https://youtube.com/shorts/GRNOnc757VY
But let’s talk about the Hotel Nacional, where Cabaret Parisien is located.
Opened in 1930, the hotel sits on a hilltop with a comanding views of Havana Harbour, the city and the ocean.
The architectural design is a delightful and elegant blend of Greek revival and Spanish eclectic.
The hotel was declared a National Monument and was inscribed in the World Memory Register.
But it is with its history that the hotel really shines. Over the years The Nacional has welcomed a long list of the world’s whos-whos.
A small list of celebrities includes: Winston Churchill, Jimmy Carter, Agustin Lara, John Wayne, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner, Yuri Gagarin, Marlene Dietrich, Ernest Hemingwy, Marlon Brando and Jesse Ventura among others.
The “History Room” on the first floor has an exhibit displaying parts of the hotel’s history.
Wander the area and imagine yourself in the 1950s in the company of Gary Cooper and Rita Hayworth living the Havana nightlife.
The back garden has delightful areas for drinks and a snack. The tables are surrounded by a flock of peacocks.
Looking for a showcase of authentic Cuban music in a lovely venue with attentive service, tasty food at a surprisingly resonable price? Look no further than the Legendarios del Guajirito Buena Vista Social Club.
Located in Habana Vieja, this venue pulls no punches when it comes to top-notch talent.
The performance is a combination of classic Cuban ballads, pulsating beats and instrumentals.
https://youtu.be/l2B00FKLHes
Unlike other similar venues where the food seems to be an afterthought, the dinner at Los Legendarios is excellent consisting of meat, seafood as well as vegetarian options.
The side dishes as well are ample and delicious. And the desserts! Don’t get me started.
Dinner includes 4 cocktails, potent and refreshing. If you have only one choice of a nightclub on a sultry Havana night, this is the one.
You can’t go wrong in one of the best Havana nightclubs around. Come here to experience Cuban nightlife at its best.
The association with the Buena Vista Social club is that the venue plays much of the iconic group’s music.
Another venue that bills itself as a Buena Vista Social Club affiliation. The Centro Cultural Rosalia de Castro, named after an important Galician literaly figure is located in the area around the capitol.
Nestled in an open air venue, the club features classic Cuban songs performed by very talented performers.
The singers walk among the patrons sometimes singing directly to the guests.
https://youtu.be/LrlPSIXCtQ4
Ticket prices for the 90 minute show vary depending on the season so check before you go. You can go or dinner and a show or just the show.
Three or four drinks are usually included in the price. This is a fun environment.
As evidenced by the reviews, food here can be hit or miss. But, personally I had a lovely evening.
The Hilton Hotel chain only managed to build one hotel before the revolution of 1959.
The Cabaret El Turquino sits atop the 25th floor of the former Hilton which is now Hotel Habana Libre.
It is one of the classic Havana nightclubs.
Insier tip: It’s suggeested to go on a weekend night as other nights can be a bit empty.
The view of Havana at night is spectacular. The music is varied but certainly Cuban.
As with most of these clubs, the price varies depending on demand and seasonality so check before going.
They have dancing, singing performances and even fashion shows. The food is perfunctory, the service indifferent. The drinks…nothing to write home about.
The music, however, is as exceptional as it is in all of Cuba.
At midnight they open the roof top and you see the Havana night sky in all its splendor. This is the big draw and totally worth it.
The venue itself is lovely. A great place to have a truly uique experience. This is what Havana nightclubs must have been like in bygone days.
Every major city in Cuba has a venue called La Casa de La Música. Havana, being the capital city, has two, one in Centro Habana just west of the colonial tourist section of Old Havana and the other in the eastern neighborhood of Miramar.
Admission was about the equivalent of $15USD, quite steep but they do have live music. The best Cuban bands play here. This is a world of hip-hop, salsa and reggaeton. There is, of course, dancing.
Insider Tip: The food is mediocre at best so don’t eat there. Eat elsewhere in one of Havana’s good restaurants, then come here.
Drinks are reasonably priced. Mainly a lively, young, local Havana crowd.
La Zorra y el Cuervo is right on 23rd Street in the Vedado neighborhood. This has got to be one of the best jazz clubs around. It is the real thing. The very definition of one of the classic Havana nightclubs
https://youtu.be/C0_s-bWNSHI?si=bQIOx8afmYbePti1
No touristy “where-are-you-from” fluff, just pure jazz, the perfect place to chill.
You enter through a London phone booth. Admission as of this writing is US$10.00 which includes two cocktails. This is for true jazz lovers. The best jazz Cuba has to offer is right here where you can absorb Cuban nightlife.
Insider tip: Get there early to make sure you get a good spot near the stage.
This legendary bar is the oldest in Cuba and, some say, the oldest continuously operating bar in Latin America founded in 1817.
Situated at the beginning of Old Havana right by pedestrianized Calle Obispo, El Floridita is a must-visit.
El Floridita is primarily famous for two things; it is where the universally known daiquiri cocktail was first perfected. I say perfected because it was actually invented in the eastern Cuban mining town of Daiquiri.
The owner of the bar fine-tuned the ingredients into what we know today.
The other claim to fame is, this is one of the two bars Ernest Hemingway frequented while he lived in Havana. There is a statue of Hemingway at the bar. The place is always packed, day or night.
Another Hemingway haunt, La Bodeguita del Medio always has a crowd in front of it. Legend has it Hemingway had mojitos here then walked to El Floridita to contiue drinking.
His signature is said to be on the wall where he wrote “Mi mojito en La Bodeguita y mi daiquiri en El Floridita” (my mojito in the Bodeguita and my daiquiri in El Floridita).
There is no dancing here. The food is mediocre and their signature offering, the mojito, is “meh.” But you have to at least see the place if you’re a Hemingway-in-Cuba aficionado.
Do what all the tourists do and write your name on the wall. Why not?!
El Malecon is not a Havana nightclub, but it might as well be. It is the Havana seawall that hugs the city on the northern side often referred to as Havana’s living room.
Many nights, especially on weekends, locals gather to enjoy the sea breeze and escape the frequently stifling Havana night. Music and a splash of rum combine to create an impromptu dance party.
The most fun spot on El Malecon is 23rd Street in the Vedado neighborhood. One of the best places to go to experience Cuban nightlife.
Join the locals! Grab a snack from one of the many vendors, enjoy the evening and dance the night away.
This place is so cool for so many reasons.
Tucked away on a quiet side street in the Vedado neighborhood, Coco Blue y La Zorra Peluda is part restaurant – there is an open kitchen station – and part full bar.
The place showcases local performers giving them a chance to shine on a local stage. The talent is amazing.
Toward the back of the area is a museum curated by one of the owners, Jose Emilio Fuentes Fonseca, himself an accomplished artist. His works, primarily in metal, grace the front lawn of the venue.
This is an ideal location to mix with locals, grab a meal, kick back with a cold beer and enjoy talent sure to be a big name in the near future. Don’t miss this one for a deep dive into Cuban nightlife.
Yarini is many things. It is first and foremost an open-air roof top nightclub named after an early 20th century Havana “Robin Hood” who was shot on the street where the club is located.
They have a fabulous bar, lite snacks and an ample seating area.
The stage is strategically positioned for all to have an excellent view. The aucustics, especially for an open air venue, are excellent.
All of these features unite to make Yarini one of the hottest nightclubs in Havana.
https://youtube.com/shorts/9IHMos7ORRA?si=0M-xflkm4pgSRfLz
Sometimes the best Havana nightclubs are the off-the-beaten-track spots found down a sidestreet. Experiencing these might be the best way to truly absorb Cuban nightlife.
The name Ley Seca translates into “Prohibition.” The place is anything but.
Liquor flows freely in this new venue where you have to know someone to get in. Or at least pretend to.
The crowd is almost exclusively local and young. The music is pulsating reggaeton rather than classic, traditional Cuban or salsa. Snacks are available at tables or bar.
Want to know more about Havana before you go? Check out these useful guides.
BTW, if you are getting ready for your trip, make sure to take advantage of these useful, money-saving links to book your trip:
I personally use, and can recommend, all the companies listed here and elsewhere on my blog. By booking through these sites, the small commission we earn – at no cost to you – helps us maintain this site so we can continue to offer our readers valuable travel tips and advice.
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]]>I always wanted to go on a Strait of Magellan cruise, but after reading “Over the Edge of the World” by Laurence Bergreen, I became obsessed with these magical places described.
The book tells the riveting story of Ferdinand Magellan’s 43,000-mile (69,800 kilometers) circumnavigation of the earth as he searched for the riches of the Spice Islands.
Magellan’s voyage was incredibly dangerous. Only 1 ship out of the original 5 returned and only 18 sailors from the original 270 lived to tell the tale. Who would have signed up for this voyage if they had known they only had a 6.6% chance of survival!
Along the way, the voyage suffered several mutinies, hurricanes, hunger, unfriendly natives, turbulent sea conditions and more. Magellan himself was killed by natives in the Philippines as he tried to “convert” them to Christianity.
The book also describes some of the most spectacular scenery in this, the southern tip of South America where the waters of the South Atlantic and the South Pacific meet.
The flora, fauna and native populations were meticulously recorded by the ship’s chronicler, the Italian, Antonio Pigafetta, one of the few who survived the voyage.
I wanted to see what these sailors saw and to imagine what it was like to sail the turbulent waters of the Strait of Magellan in their wooden 16th century ships. Be careful what you wish for!
The Strait of Magellan is also called the Straits of Magellan as well as the Magellan Strait. The starting point for those wanting to experience a Strait of Magellan cruise is the town of Punta Arenas.
Punta Arenas, in southern Chile, is an unlikely mixture of faded European gilded-age splendor, wild-western U.S. frontier town, immigrant melting pot, and modern-day adventure expedition kick-off point.
The town was once a mandatory stop-off point for ships traveling to and from the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Ships docked to load and unload cargo and passengers, and the town prospered.
In 1914 the opening of the Panama Canal cut transit time between the oceans by 8,000 miles, and Punta Arena’s fortunes declined.
Nevertheless, there are still many traces of past grandeur evident in the city’s buildings, parks, and cemeteries.
The local cemetery is an especially interesting repository of Punta Arena history. It has been ranked as one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world, certainly among the most dramatic cemeteries in Latin America.
In 2012 this delicately landscaped necropolis was designated a National Monument of Chile.
The official name of the local cemetery is the Cementerio Municipal de Punta Arenas Sara Braun. Sara Braun, who donated the land for the cemetery, was a Latvian immigrant who traveled to Punta Arenas in the early 1900s.
She eventually became the richest woman in Patagonia through shrewd investments and advantageous marriages.
Apparently, Ms. Braun was as eccentric as she was rich because before her death she dictated that the main doors of the cemetery be locked forever. To this day the only entrance to the cemetery is through the side door.
Another legend has it that the tomb of a native from the local Onas tribe produces miracles. The tomb is constantly covered in flowers and coins donated by local inhabitants in gratitude for the native’s miraculous interventions.
Many travelers come to Punta Arenas to board a Strait of Magellan cruise. The ships also traverse the turbulent waters of the Beagle Channel and other waterways of Tierra del Fuego.
It was in this little town of eclectic architecture and improbable legends that we boarded the Ventus Australius for a 4-night Strait of Magellan cruise.
This are the same waterways explored by Ferdinand Magellan as he circumnavigated the globe and Charles Darwin as he researched the region on his ship, The Beagle.
Australis is an expedition cruise company with a focus on exploring the area of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego commonly referred to as the “end of the world.”
These are the unspoiled channels and waterways at the very tip of the South American continent.
The ship caters to smaller groups, 200 is the maximum number of passengers. It sails between Punta Arenas, Chile and Ushuaia, Argentina, the “town at the end of the world.”
The ship’s accommodations are ample and offer comfortable cabins with ocean views. The meals are tasty and varied and like any good South American cruise ship, the wine flows. But the real highlights are the shore excursions.
All shore excursions require passengers to suit up – mostly in the early morning when the wildlife is most active. The safety gear is mandatory as is the safety and sustainability talk to ensure we leave nothing but footprints in the pristine environment.
Passengers take off on Zodiacs, weather permitting, and are taken to several stops on the itinerary, some including short hikes.
One of the stops is a colony of Magellan Penguins you can only view from the Zodiacs in order not to disturb the colony. If this is your first time in the area, a visit to these penguin colonies will certainly be a highlight of the cruise.
If you are lucky, your Zodiac will be accompanied by dolphins swimming alongside you as you speed over the frigid waters of these southern oceans. You might also see sea lions and elephant seals lounging on outcrops.
Where to stay in Punta Arenas before your cruise.
The first Strait of Magellan cruise land excursion takes place in a primeval forest with lush foliage that has been in the area for millennia.
Along the way, you sail through the stretch of the Beagle Channel known as Glacier Alley with towering glaciers on both sides. This area forms part of the Chilean fjords in southern Patagonia.
It’s fascinating to see the massive glaciers tumbling to the edge of the water. This entire region is famous for its glaciers, among them the majestic Perito Moreno Glacier in the adjacent country of Argentina.
One of the highlights on our Strait of Magellan cruise would have to be a shore excursion to the majestic Pia Glacier. Passengers can hike around the Pia Glacier area right at the base of the glacier.
Want to feel tiny and insignificant amidst the spectacular grandeur of earth’s natural marvels? Then stand next to a glacier and look up.
The captain warned on several occasions that although the ship was not built to sail in ocean waters, we would have to sail on the ocean for a short time and that the waters would be turbulent.
Up until then, we had felt barely a ripple on the ship. The night we ventured into the ocean near Cape Horn the ship tossed and lurched to the point that one had to hold on to railings in order to stabilize.
The waters were so turbulent that we were not allowed to disembark on Cape Horn. However, we were able to navigate around this landmark.
I could not help but imagine how if we, in our modern sturdy ship with a professional crew, were lurching in the turbulent waters how it must have been for the crews of the early explorers on the Magellan ship.
Why not combine a cruise through the Strait of Magellan with other South American destinations? Below are some posts to get you on your way.
Don’t forget to read up on this fascinating place before you go.
Would you like to go on a Strait of Magellan cruise? Let us know your thoughts.
Updated July 2023.
BTW, if you are getting ready for your trip, make sure to take advantage of these useful, money-saving links to book your trip:
I personally use, and can recommend, all the companies listed here and elsewhere on my blog. By booking through these sites, the small commission we earn – at no cost to you – helps us maintain this site so we can continue to offer our readers valuable travel tips and advice.
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]]>When you think of Cambodia you think of the temples of Angkor Wat in Angkor Thom, the name of the entire city. But you don’t think of a monkey attack!
I imagined exotic vistas, imposing stone carvings peeking from lush jungles…and yes, maybe a couple of Angkor Wat macaque monkeys.
But nothing like what really happened. Nothing like the great monkey attack of Angkor Wat.
We arrived by air and exhausted in Siem Reap around 9 PM with our hassle-free Cambodia visas on arrival. Siem Reap is the gateway for the Angkor Wat temple complex about four miles away.
Travelling to Siem Reap by bus or car from Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, is another option.
We had opted for a direct flight from Ho Chi Minh City, the last leg of a long journey through Vietnam by train, boat, bus, car, foot and tuk-tuk, the ubiquitous southeast Asian rickshaw. All we wanted was to decompress.
You can’t stay in the actual complex. Angkor Wat is such a massive tourist draw that Siem Reap has its own airport. You can fly direct to Siem Reap from all southeast Asian capital cities and many secondary cities as well.
The APSARA NATIONAL AUTHORITY, under the guidance of the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has done an outstanding job of managing the Angkor archaeological park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
They ensure that the Angkor archeological park remains pristine and is not damaged from excessive tourist visits. I wish they were as conscientious about addressing the issue of the wild monkeys.
From the Siem Reap airport we found a tuk tuk driver to take us to our accommodation. The ride into Siem Reap is surprising.
The city looks like a mini-southeast Asian version of Las Vegas. Flashing neon lights are everywhere on the main road advertising luxury hotels, elaborate shows, and sumptuous buffets.
We had booked a budget guest house. These are establishments where local people rent out rooms in their homes to paying guests with breakfast included.
These can be hit or miss but I’ve found most to be clean, comfortable and centrally located which is really all you need.
Where to stay in Siem Reap close to Angkor Wat.
The hosts were nice, gave us a couple of towels and said goodnight.
In the morning we were in a rush to get out and see Angkor Wat but right outside the house, I saw a monkey holding her baby.
She and the little baby monkey were so cute and this scene was so typical of the Angkor area in Angkor Park that I took a picture and gave the monkey a little piece of fruit I had with me.
I remembered reading information banners placed at the entrance of the Angkor area saying “Don’t feed the monkeys and other wild animals” but I figured, what harm can it do? It was just a mother and her little monkey.
That was my big mistake.
The magnificence of Angkor Wat cannot be overstated. It is a vast complex of massive temples built between 1130 and 1150 as a Hindu structure dedicated to the god Vishnu.
As the political and religious vagaries of the area shifted so did the temple’s dedication and by the late 12th century, it was Buddhist. It is an amazing destination and definitely one of the bucket list places to visit once in a lifetime.
Some people think the Angkor Wat temple is just the main structure that graces the Cambodian flag. Actually, the area itself, Angkor Thom, is a complex covering over 400 square miles with many other temple complexes.
Some of the “must see” include Ta Prohm, where Tomb Raider was filmed, Banteays Srei and Kdei and Bayon.
All told the area is larger than the 5 boroughs of New York City combined!
You need a long time, certainly more than a day to see the entire complex comfortably. A three-day pass at $40 is actually a bargain. You can also buy a one day pass for $20.
After a day of temple hopping we caught a traditional dancing show and dinner at one of the local hotels and headed back to the guest house.
In the morning we were anxious to head back to Angkor Wat but when we left the house we saw two huge macaque monkeys and one even bigger monkey warrior blocking our entrance to the road.
We shooed them but they didn’t budge. We tried walking around them but they again blocked our path. We decided to walk straight through them making a lot of noise and waving our arms.
As we readied ourselves a monkey came from behind, jumped on my back and tore off my hair beret while another grabbed at my backpack which contained fruit.
By now I’m screaming “get it off!…get it off!”
We ran to the road – me in flip flops -pursued part way by a troop of monkeys. In the safety of the main road I looked back and saw the mother monkey I had seen the first day, still holding her baby, looking at us.
This was not cute anymore.
These guys were playing for keeps. Clearly the mother monkey had alerted her cohorts to the presence of two human patsies that gave away food.
I couldn’t believe what had just happened and how aggressive monkeys in Cambodia could be.
You plan for many unexpected incidents on a foreign trip. But who plans for a monkey attack at Angkor Wat!
The monkey attack was the major topic of conversation that entire day of temple tripping. When we cautiously returned to the guest house that evening there were no ferocious monkeys to be seen.
Apparently tourist harassment was only a morning thing.
Next morning was our last in Siem Reap. We peeked out our window hoping to avoid any more unexpected incidents involving monkeys. Suddenly we heard a screech pierce the morning calm.
The monkeys started to amass in the clearing in front of our room.
They had actually been stalking us. I swear I am not making this up. This was just such a bizarre experience. We nervously joked that we could never leave the room and would simply have to learn Cambodian and order take out forever.
There must have been 15 monkeys out there. The Angkor Wat monkey troop was in full force. And those were just the ones that we could see! They appeared to have a clear goal, to find the backpacks with food.
I spied the mother monkey with her baby. She was probably the ringleader. Suddenly the woman that checked us in the first day showed up with a large dog of unrecognizable pedigree.
They walked toward our room and the monkeys dispersed long enough for us to get to the main road with our bags.
As we left, the woman told us that monkeys in Cambodia sometimes get frisky if you feed them, especially the monkeys at Angkor Wat. Yeah, right.
Have you ever had an unexpected incident – good or bad – involving animals on a trip?
Learn more about Angkor Wat before you arrive in order to maximize your trip. Bring these reference companions along with you.
Last updated December 2023.
Is Cambodia and Angkor Wat on your bucket list? What are your thoughts on the great monkey attack of Angkor Wat?
BTW, if you are getting ready for your trip, make sure to take advantage of these useful, money-saving links to book your trip:
I personally use, and can recommend, all the companies listed here and elsewhere on my blog. By booking through these sites, the small commission we earn – at no cost to you – helps us maintain this site so we can continue to offer our readers valuable travel tips and advice.
The post CAMBODIA: THE GREAT MONKEY ATTACK OF ANGKOR WAT appeared first on Travels with Talek.
]]>The post 20+ THINGS TO DO IN SANTIAGO DE CUBA: ATTRACTIONS YOU CANNOT MISS appeared first on Travels with Talek.
]]>Get ready for some unique things to do in Santiago de Cuba. Sultry, hot, languid, bursting with color and rhythmic music, Santiago beguiles with its parks, history and tropical colonial vibe.
From exploring churches and lively plazas to visiting interesting museums and biosphere reserves, to exploring the city in a horse-drawn carriage, there are plenty of things to do in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba’s most Caribbean city.
When travelers to Cuba ask, is Santiago de Cuba worth visiting? The answer if a definite YES! Continue reading and see why.
Santiago de Cuba is the capital of the island’s eastern province of the same name. With a population of about 450,000, it is Cuba’s second largest city after Havana.
The municipality contains 11 communities including the town of Daiquiri, one of the sites of the U.S. invasion of Cuba during the Spanish American War of 1898.
This is when Spanish troops clashed with Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders in the fight for Cuban independence from Spain.
Founded by Diego Velasquez Cuellar in 1515, several years before Havana, the city was the capital of Cuba from 1522 to 1589. It is nestled on a spectacular bay amidst a picturesque collection of hilly streets and red-tiled rooftops.
It was from Santiago de Cuba’s deep, natural harbor that Hernan Cortez departed for his Mexican expeditions and Hernando de Soto left to explore the coasts of Florida.
In the late 1700s and early 1800s, French refugees from the Haitian Slave Revolt of 1791 emigrated to Santiago and added to the city’s already eclectic ethnic mix.
The year 1898 witnessed the defeat of the Spanish army in the Battle of San Juan Hill, or Loma de San Juan, and the destruction Spain’s Atlantic navy during the Cuban War of Independence. Shortly thereafter, Cuba became independent from Spain.
Santiago was also the city where the Cuban Revolution took off and the site of many of its critically important battles.
Unlike other not-to-miss Cuban cities like, Viñales, Santa Clara or Trinidad, Santiago de Cuba has a truly unique and vibrant ethnic mix.
The rich blend of Spanish, French, Haitian and African cultures is evident in the faces of the warm and helpful locals, the culture and the cuisine.
*****
Daiquiri is also the birthplace of the eponymous drink, one of the four Cuban cocktails that circled the globe.
*****
It is considered the liveliest of all the traditional Cuban festivals and one of the largest events in Latin America.
If you can manage to be in Santiago in late July, attend one of Cuba’s top ten sights, The Santiago de Cuba Carnival, one of the events Santiago de Cuba is famous for.
The festival is held annually from July 18 to 27 and is an explosion of dance, pulsating music, and elaborate costumes. People come from all corners of the country and overseas to see, join and enjoy.
The city is draped in festive decorations, music venues celebrate with carnival specific shows and restaurants offer carnival specials.
Unlike carnivals of other cities like New Orleans, the Santiago carnival is not related to any pre-Lenten festivities, which are celebrated in February or March.
The Santiago carnival started life as a religious event celebrating the saint day of Santiago (St. James), on July 25. Over the years, the carnival added aspects of Spanish. French, African, and Cuban culture and traditions.
The original dates also coincided with the end of the sugar cane harvest which meant workers were free to attend and participate.
Lastly, the carnival date coincides with one of the most important dates related to the Cuban Revolution, July 26, the “Attack on Moncada Barracks” which signaled the start of the Cuban Revolution.
Some say the attack was planned to take place on that date in Santiago precisely to coincide with carnival celebrations.
Today, although the carnival is a week-long celebration, the final and most elaborate parade is held on that fateful day, July 26.
*****
Santiago de Cuba hotels are plentiful throughout the city, but the best accommodation option is a stay at a casa particular or Cuban-owned private homes.
These casas are Cuba’s version of a B&B. Not only is the architecture in many of these “casas” true to the era, the furnishings also frequently date from that time period. This experience offers a nice peek into the city’s history.
These homes often have indoor patios where traditional Cuban breakfasts are served. This is hands-down, one of my favorite things to do in Santiago de Cuba. I highly recommend you book a casa particular in Santiago.
One great advantage of staying at a casa particular is that the hostess, usually a woman, functions as a sort of concierge recommending and reserving taxis, restaurants and tours for you and generally seeing to your needs.
She’ll receive a commission for her efforts but it is minimal and worth it.
*****
The Afro-Cuban religion of Santeria is widely practiced in Santiago.
It is worth attending one of the services to learn more about this interesting practice. Your casa hostess can tell you where you can attend.
*****
This cathedral, Our Lady of the Assumption, is in Parque Cespedes or, Céspedes Park, the city’s main square and its historic center. Dating from 1522, this church has been recently renovated leaving the ceiling looking like a wonderful, riotous wedding cake.
If you climb to the top of the right cupola of the cathedral, you will be rewarded with a spectacular view of the city. A night view of the Cathedral is an equally impressive sight.
*****
On the same square to the left of the Cathedral is the Casa Velasquez, the oldest standing house in Cuba. Named after Diego de Velasquez, the first Spanish governor of Cuba, the Casa Velasquez is now a remarkable museum displaying furnishings and artifacts from three different centuries in Santiago’s history.
The rooms are all arranged to surround a faithfully restored indoor patio from the Spanish colonial era. I found a visit to this museum to be one of the most interesting Santiago de Cuba activities.
*****
The Museo Municipal Emilio Bacardi Moreau is a small museum that really packs a punch when it comes to Cuban history. Emilio Bacardi was the son of Facundo Bacardi who founded the Bacardi distilling company, makers of the famous rum that you are probably familiar with, in 1862.
The family moved the Bacardi headquarters to Hamilton, Bermuda to avoid the Cuban Revolution. Bacardi is now the largest privately held liquor company in the world. It has been family owned for seven generations.
Emilio Barcardi was born in Santiago de Cuba, raised in Spain and returned to Cuba as a young man. While in Europe he developed a taste for fine art and started a remarkable collection.
The Emilio Bacardi Museum in central Santiago de Cuba is Emilio Bacardi’s collection enhanced over the years. The collection is housed in a beautiful three-storied building with each floor displaying a different collection of paintings, sculpture.
Archaeological artifacts are on the first floor – including a mummy! But you never thought you’d see mummies in Cuba.
The quality of the paintings is outstanding, definitely on a par with the art work in the Cuban wing of the Museum of Fine Arts in Havana. And that’s really saying something! A visit to this museum is a can’t-miss activity in Santiago de Cuba.
A big bonus of this museum is that the air conditioning is great. You’ll need it in Santiago de Cuba.
Don’t forget to sample the city’s signature rum, Santiago de Cuba rum.
*****
This massive 17th century fortress lies about five miles from the center of Santiago de Cuba.
Its official name is El Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca, or San Pedro de la Roca Castle, but locals just refer to it as “El Morro.” It’s the perfect spot for those looking to learn about Santiago de Cuba’s past and its pirates.
The multi-level stone fortress is actually an intricate complex of forts positioned on a strategic point, a rocky promontory, on the beautiful bay of Santiago de Cuba.
This imposing structure was designed by the Italian engineer, Giovanni Battista Antonelli in 1638 and finally completed in 1700.
It boasts a series of stairways and a progression of terraces leading to the fortified gun platform at the highest level of the main castle. This is where you’ll also see the most breathtaking views of Santiago de Cuba bay.
King Philip II of Spain ordered the construction of El Morro fortress to protect Spain’s richest colony and one of its most important towns, the city of Santiago de Cuba. These formidable defensive works protected against military attack as well as pirates.
At that time European powers contested Spain’s supposed rights over the West Indies and competed for possession of the new territories. The prevailing atmosphere of lawlessness encouraged piracy and smuggling.
The characters that sailed past Castillo del Morro Fortress during piracy’s heyday are heroes to some, pirates to others…but interesting to all.
Francis Drake was active in these waters on behalf of Queen Elizabeth I of England. In 1595 he undertook his last voyage to the West Indies where he died.
Dutchman Piet Heyn battled the Spanish nearby and captured a small flotilla relieving the Spaniards of a small fortune.
Roc “The Brazilian” was actually a Dutchman who migrated to Dutch controlled Brazil. He led a mutiny and adopted the life of a pirate at which he excelled.
He specialized in attacking Spanish cargo ships and was captured many times but always managed to escape. His abrupt disappearance remains a mystery.
Francis Nou, a Frenchman, wreaked havoc throughout the Caribbean and was perceived as brutal even among other pirates. He also disappeared without a trace.
Henry Morgan was a Welsh landowner who became Governor of Jamaica from where he raided colonies and attacked Spanish ships carrying precious cargo. His efforts made him wealthy and he used his money to buy sugar plantations in Jamaica.
Scotsman Alexander Selkirk had been a Royal Navy officer. He spent over four years on a deserted island having been marooned there by his captain.
When rescued he appeared to be in good health having survived on captured goats, seafood and by maximizing the resources available to him on the island.
The British public became fascinated with his story and he became a minor celebrity. Despite the opportunity to live out his life in relative comfort in London, he returned to the sea where he pursued Spanish ships in the Caribbean and died of a tropical fever in West Africa.
It is said his ordeal as a castaway in the South Pacific was the inspiration for Daniel Defoe’s character Robinson Crusoe.
Throughout the 1600s, the military fortress was attacked by French and English privateers and was repeatedly reinforced. In the 1700s it was damaged by major earthquakes, suffered from lack of maintenance and was again repaired.
By the nineteenth century, advances in the weapons industry rendered El Morro’s defenses relatively obsolete.
During Cuba’s wars of Independence against Spain in the late 1800s and the Spanish-American War in 1898 Castillo Del Morro served as a prison.
Finally, in 1997 Castillo Del Morro Fortress was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The museum inside the fortress is a treasure trove of Cuban pirates era artifacts. Guides are available and the exhibits in the museums are well marked in both Spanish and English.
This is an excellent side trip from Santiago for a morning or afternoon. There are gift shops and cafeterias in the area. A private taxi from Santiago should cost you 15 USD round trip including waiting time.
Does the idea of pirates in Caribbean waters around Cuba fascinate you? Would you like to have lived in Castillo Del Morro Fortress during those times?
This incredible fortress is only about 15 minutes from the city. To get to the Castillo, secure a taxi from the taxi stand in front of the Casa Granda Hotel across the street from Cespedes Park.
It shouldn’t cost you more than 10 to 15 USD which includes the taxi waiting for you. You may want to have the taxi drive you around the beautiful coastal area for a few pesos more.
*****
Don’t miss the small but interesting Museum of Piracy, or Museo de la Piratería on the lowest level of the military fortress.
*****
Casa de la Trova features traditional Cuban music in a family atmosphere. Club 300 and Iris Jazz Club, offering top-notch jazz, are just three of Santiago’s music clubs in the city center.
These Santiago de Cuba activities are all about the outstanding music. Everything else is secondary. These clubs are all a short walk from each other in the center of town around Calle Heredia, the main drag near Parque Cespedes.
The musical offering is a combination of traditional music, modern jazz, salsa and more. Don’t miss presentations of Buena Vista Social Club performances with the music of the legendary Cuban composer and home-town-boy-done good, Compay Segundo.
*****
Some of Santiago de Cuba’s best activities involve churches. Peek into the religious soul of Cuba with a visit to the sanctuary of Cuba’s patron.
Legend has it that three fishermen were close to drowning in a storm. Suddenly the Virgin appeared calming the waters and saving the fishermen who reported the vision to the local priests. The sanctuary was built in gratitude.
The architecture is interesting and the sanctuary sits on a lush, plateau dotted with those majestic, impossibly tall Cuban palm trees. But the real draw is the people you see that come to pray and their shows of devotion.
*****
This magnificent cemetery with its blindingly white marble walkways is the final resting place of Cuba’s notables and one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Latin America.
Santa Ifigenia Cemetery is landscaped with lush, tropical foliage which contrast beautifully with the white of the stonework. The funerary statuary is as elaborate as you would expect for mausoleums created for former presidents and world renowned artists.
Poet, statesman and father-of-the-country, Jose Marti, rests in a simple and elegant tomb. One of his poems says, “don’t bury me in the dark, bury me with my face to the sun, with a flag and a handful of flowers.”
Here he rests…his final wishes respected. His coffin is positioned in a way that, as long as it is daylight, a ray of sun will fall upon it. It is draped in a Cuban flag and lies next to an arrangement of flowers.
On December 4, 2016, Fidel Castro was buried in Santa Ifigenia cemetery.
Balcony of Hotel Casa Granda.
Santiago is hot! Enjoy a shady respite from the sun with a cold drink in the outdoor café or rooftop terrace of the Hotel Casa Granda, said to be the best of the Santiago de Cuba hotels.
This rooftop terrace has some of the most beautiful views of the city of Santiago de Cuba, especially in the morning hours. A great way to soak up the culture and people watch, and one of the most charming Santiago de Cuba activities.
*****
The terrace at the Casa Granda (above) is best for chilling with a cool drink and enjoying the view. You can also get a quick sandwich there or a pretty good pizza for 4 USD at the 4th floor open air terrace.
But you could have that anywhere including your hometown. You’ve got to try the local cuisine!
A paladar is a privately owned restaurant. They tend to be better than the government restaurants. Eating in one supports the local Cuban entrepreneurs.
Two good options are Roy’s Terrace Inn and St. Pauli. Roy’s follows the typical Cuban tradition of rooftop culture. Many of the best restaurants in the country are on rooftops. Santiago is no exception.
Roy’s serves classic home-cooking Cuban cuisine at reasonable prices. There are only a few tables and, like most of the better restaurants, you need to reserve beforehand.
St. Pauli has a menu with a focus on seafood. The octopus in garlic sauce will make you want to move to Santiago de Cuba just so you could have it regularly.
*****
If you are interested in Cuba’s more recent revolutionary past, pay a visit to the Cuartel Moncada where Fidel Castro, launched his ill-fated attack on Batista’s forces in 1953.
You can still see the bullet holes in the walls of the barracks.
Nearby is the Sierra Maestra where Fidel Castro, Che Guevara and others fought numerous battles in the Cuban Revolution.
Another one of this eastern city’s most interesting places is the massive statue of General Antonio Maceo, another hero of the War of Independence, at Plaza de la Revolucion. Today this statue is a national monument.
This Museum of the Clandestine Struggle is small but housed in a lovely colonial era mansion. The museum tells of the role the city of Santiago de Cuba played in the Cuban Revolution.
*****
If you are lucky enough to be in Santiago on a weekend, head to Plaza de Marte where the locals go to listen to music and eat tasty street food. There is something for everyone here; from puppet shows to live performances by well-known artists.
*****
This lush, verdant park is one of Cuba’s six UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and one of the Santiago de Cuba sites you cannot miss.
About 20 kilometres from Santiago de Cuba, Baconao covers about 800 square kilometres. The biosphere is a luxuriant, palm dotted stretch of greenery extending from the Caribbean Ocean to the mountains.
The perimeter of the reserve is dotted with dozens of abandoned coffee plantations similar to the ones you see in Las Terrazas in western Cuba. These plantations were founded by French planters fleeing from the Haitian Revolution of the late 1700s.
The Baconao area offers many activities for the nature lover and explorers in general. The coast has several sunken ships and many dive sites.
There are several hotels at the park and activities include hiking, kayaking, horseback riding and swimming.
The real draw of the Biospere is the native flora – over 1800 species – and fauna.
The area is also home to many threatened endemic species like bats and spiders that live in a vast network of natural caves.
There is a “prehistoric” park in Baconao that has life size recreations of dinosaurs scattered about, and an antique car museum. Adults may find it incongruous and bizarre, but kids will probably enjoy it.
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Santiago de Cuba beaches may not be as spectacular as those in other parts of the island but you can find some little coves with pebble beaches or dark sand that can make for a pleasant stop for a swim.
One example of a lovely beach getaway is Playa Siboney about 20 minutes east of Santiago. It is a beach town with a laid back vibe.
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For a truly spectacular beach as well as a pretty unique oceanside town, head for Baracoa, about 5 hours away by bus. You can stop in Baracoa before or after your visit to Santiago. Or, if you’re spending much time in Santiago, make it a weekend getaway. Adding Baracoa to your visit will be the perfect Cuba itinerary.
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Santiago de Cuba has an excellent airport with direct flights from many countries. Another option, especially for visitors, is to make their way to Santiago from other cities by private taxi, shared or “colectivo” taxi, or by bus.
Viazul is Cuba’s national bus service and runs regular service to Santiago from all cities. Prices are very reasonable. The service can be slow but it’ll get you there.
Santiago is often referred to as the capital of the Caribbean. Although frequently overlooked by travelers focusing on the Havana circuit, Santiago de Cuba is well worth a visit to get a comprehensive understanding of this fascinating island country.
With all of these things to do in Santiago de Cuba, you could spend a week or more here and still not see it all. What do you think is the most interesting aspect of Santiago? Which are your favorite Santiago de Cuba activities?
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So is Santiago de Cuba worth visiting? What do you think?
Updated July 2023
And don’t forget my book, The Ultimate Cuba Travel Guide, available on Amazon.
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