It’s time for the “Where in the world am I?” photo challenge! Like in weeks past, I’ll give no clues up front, but will periodically tweet and post clues on my Facebook and Google+ pages to help you out. So, if you don’t already follow me on Twitter, click here. Do you know where I took this picture?

• Leave your guess here on my blog only (not on Facebook or Twitter) by Friday, January 27th at noon (PDT).
• I’ll be giving out hints via Twitter & Facebook throughout the day on Wednesday and Thursday.
• One guess per hint (i.e.: with each hint, you can leave a new guess.)
• One winner will randomly be selected from those who answer correctly and will be featured on my Facebook Fan Page, Twitter and Google+ Page with his/her name, blog (if applicable), Twitter and Facebook page, as well as a brief bio.
• Anyone can participate!

Here are the clues I’ve given so far:

The answer and winner of this week’s contest:

When I chose this photo I realized that it was the first time I’ve posted anything about one of my favorite cities in the world—Sevilla, Spain. Four people answered correctly but after randomly selecting a winner, congratulations are due to Raymond Walsh at Man On The Lam!

I took this photo from the top of the Giralda, the minaret-turned-bell-tower that adjoins the Seville Cathedral, the third largest church in the world. From the tower are spectacular views of the Andalusian city, including the famous bullfighting ring, La Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza.  The attraction I alluded to Clue #3 is the Plaza de España.  Built for the 1929 Spanish-American Exposition, this lavish example of Neo-Mudéjar architecture was featured in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones.

This week’s winner has had incredible adventures all around the world—from spending New Years Eve at the Pyramids in Egypt (on 12/31/99, no less) to bungee jumping in New Zealand and climbing volcanoes in Guatemala. Besides offering sound travel advice and stunning photography, Raymond effortlessly laces humor in just about all of his stories. Be sure to check out Raymond’s blog at Man On The Lam, become a fan of his Facebook and Google+ Pages and follow him on Twitter too!

Congrats to Earl Martin, Larkin Mclean and Mary at The World is a Book for also knowing this was Sevilla, Spain!

Here are a couple additional photos from my visit there: 

Here’s the photo from the last challenge, correctly identified by Cathy at Traveling With Sweeney as the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens in Miami, Florida.

Visiting the Villa Vizcaya was a real treat. I never expected to see a property like this in South Florida! The estate was built in 1916 by wealthy industrialist James Deering as a winter retreat. Located in the Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami, the spectacularly manicured grounds feature expansive Italian Renaissance gardens, grottoes, fountains and mangrove thickets.

As I mentioned in my ABCs of Travel, I wasn’t able to travel internationally last year like I’d hoped—so I pledged to make up for it in 2012! Below are three dream destinations that are all high on my bucket list. They are disparate in pretty much every way possible. If you had these options, where would you go?

Koutoubia Mosque - Marrakech, Morocco

North Africa – Morocco

I was thisclose to Morocco when I visited Marbella, Spain a few years ago. I remember dining on seafood paella (with a pitcher of sangria, naturally) while watching the sun set over Gibraltar. With North Africa’s Atlas Mountains glowing crimson in the distance, it was truly one of the most sublime sights I’ve ever seen. I’ve always wanted to visit Morocco and wish I’d gone when I was so near.

One of the best jumping-off points for the country is the imperial city of Marrakech. Known as the “Red City,” Marrakech is the perfect combination of old and new. You can spend hours wandering the labyrinthine streets and souks (shopping bazaars) surrounded by vibrant colors and a cacophony of sounds and intriguing smells. Only a couple of hours away from most European cities, there are many options for flights to Marrakech. So while it may feel exotic, it’s easy to get there. When I was in Istanbul last year I had my first experience with an Islamic country and look forward to seeing more gorgeous mosques, with their minarets poking above the skyline. Plus, I’m dying to ride a camel on the Sahara desert!

Machu Picchu, Peru

South America – Peru

Home to one of the most recognizable and spectacular sights in the world, Peru has long been on my list of dream destinations. Often referred to as “The Lost City of the Incas,” Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage site located high in the Andes, at 7,970 feet (2,430 metres) above sea level. Built (and then abandoned) in the mid-fifteenth century, these remarkable ruins were “re-discovered” in 1911 by archaeologist Hiram Bingham. For the past century people have been drawn to this mystical site in droves.

Besides visiting Machu Picchu, no trip to Peru would be complete without first visiting Lima, the nation’s modern capital; Cuzco, it’s ancient capital; and Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram - Ayutthaya, Thailand

Southeast Asia – Thailand

From the bustling metropolis of Bangkok to the ancient cities of Chiang Mai and Ayutthaya, Thailand seems to have it all. Not to mention the stunning seaside resorts and islands along the Andaman Sea in the south. It’s no wonder Thailand is the most popular destination in Southeast Asia.

Ever since I saw the Leonardo DiCaprio movie The Beach I’ve dreamed of Thailand’s white sand beaches and bathwater-warm, crystal-clear aquamarine water. Plus, the idea of visiting Thailand’s many extraordinary wats (Buddhist temples) and riding an elephant through the  jungle is incredible to me. On top of all that, my favorite food is Thai so I’d love to try the real thing!

Have you been to any of these places before? What are your thoughts? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments section below!

Looking more like it belongs in Southern Europe than in South Florida, Española Way is a narrow, four-block long pedestrian-only street located in the heart of South Beach. With Mediterranean Revival architecture dating back to the 1920s, this charming calle is in stark contrast with the Art Deco buildings that have made the rest of the neighborhood world-famous.

It’s fun to stroll down the middle of the lane, admiring the pink and peach-colored buildings with their Juliet balconies, striped awnings and terracotta-tiled roofs. Lined with art galleries and boutiques, Española Way is also a perfect place to just relax with a cortadito (Cuban coffee) or cocktail at an outdoor café.  Restaurants offer everything from Cuban and Spanish to Italian, French and Mediterranean cuisine. We enjoyed a terrific breakfast at Havana 1957, located right on the corner of Española Way and Washington.

By night, the street is alive with locals and tourists dancing to salsa music beneath twinkle lights. On weekends the whole area becomes one big open-air farmers market, where you can buy fresh produce as well as handicrafts, flowers and more.

The National Register of Historic Places designated Española Way a historic site in 1979.

This is my submission for Travel Photo Thursday. For more great shots from around the world, be sure to check out Budget Travelers Sandbox!

Miami Beach Vacations

“What’s this line for?”

“It’s to meet Samantha Brown. You know, from Travel Channel.”

“Oh, I love her! She’s so adorable.”

This was the general consensus at the 2012 Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show, yesterday at the Long Beach Convention Center. The best part was that Sam is exactly like you’d expect her to be in person. Any fan of her “Passport” series on Travel Channel knows she’s engaging, friendly, a little goofy and best of all, just like us.

She gave a presentation called “A Comedy of Travel Errors: My Globalization of Mishaps” on the main stage to a standing room only crowd. This was followed by a Q&A session with the audience before she headed to the Taiwan booth (one of the convention’s major sponsors) to sign autographs and pose for photos with fans. She met everyone who queued up and spent a little time chatting with each person. She really appreciates how fortunate she is to have such an enviable job. She told me that if it weren’t for all us then she wouldn’t be there in the first place.

Sam recounted several funny anecdotes and shared some tips on international travel. One of her main points was that people should attempt to speak a few words of the local language when traveling. Don’t be afraid of “butchering” the language because it’s much better to say something wrong in the native tongue than to assume that the person speaks English and not try at all.  They’ll know right away three things about you: that you’re a foreigner (by your accent), that you’re a kind person and that you’re making an effort. Sam also said it’s important not to have pre-conceived notions about what a place will be like before you go there. Just let it be whatever it is.

Here are some more things we learned about Samantha Brown:

• Those little plastic-wrapped hotel soaps are her nemesis.
• Her favorite country (so far) is Cambodia.
• She wasn’t impressed by Naples, Italy. [Just last week I wrote that I was disappointed in Naples too, only I said it less diplomatically than Sam.]
• The “grossest” food she’s eaten on her travels was duck tongue. She forced herself to try it in order to not offend her hosts. When she nearly gagged on it, they told her that they think it’s disgusting and would never eat it!
• She’s never been to Africa or India.

Unfortunately, there aren’t current plans for a new series with Sam on Travel Channel. She’s been on-air for ten years now and is enjoying a little break. However, if given the option, she’d love to travel to India next.

You can follow Samantha Brown on Twitter @SamTravels.

Influenced by Veneto and Tuscan Renaissance architecture, Villa Vizcaya also features French-style gardens and Caribbean limestone and coral masonry. The estate is set in the native woodlands of what’s now the Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami, along picturesque Biscayne Bay and only a stone’s throw from downtown.

James Deering built his opulent mansion and exquisite gardens with the help of designer Paul Chalfin, architect F. Burrall Hoffman and landscape architect Diego Suarez.

I had the pleasure of touring the estate on my recent trip to Miami. Below is a photographic journey of what’s now known as the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.

As you enter the property, the Villa can be seen at the end of a long driveway lined with gurgling fountains and shaded by dense tropical foliage.

Instead of entering the main house, I first passed through the South Gate to begin my tour of the majestic and expansive rear gardens.

Some of the most stunning features of the Vizcaya Gardens include its many fountains, statuary, hedge mazes and grottoes.

Crossing the rear façade of the Villa, you can get a good view of the olive trees and manicured shrubbery from a higher elevation.

Below is the so-called “Secret Garden” due to the tall walls that surround it.

You can enter or exit the Secret Garden through this grotto, one of many on the property.

As you continue in a clockwise loop around the estate, you’ll pass by various themed gardens before coming upon the Fountain Garden, pictured below.

The south side of the property features an elevated area known as The Mound. In the photo below, you can see the two stairways (and cascading waterfall) leading up top.

This building is known as the Casino, which was actually just an outdoor pavilion, not a place to gamble. I love the Spanish moss dripping from the trees, illuminated by the sunlight.

Notice the Casino’s hand-painted ceiling and impressive, detailed stonework.

From the Mound, you can look back at the Villa and appreciate the manicured gardens from a higher vantage point.

Now, if you retrace your steps to the rear of the Villa you can gaze out at the wide expanse of Biscayne Bay.

This stone structure is called The Barge. Deering used to throw lavish parties at Vizcaya and would transport guests via gondola to the Barge for dinner parties.

To the left is a secluded gazebo that’s reached by crossing a Venetian-style footbridge.

The gazebo has inlaid black and white marble floors. Notice the gnarled roots of the mangroves in the background.

Here’s a view from the other side of the Barge. To me the Villa looks like it belongs on Lake Como, not Biscayne Bay.

Originally Villa Vizcaya featured a large, open-air central atrium. However, the need to preserve the building and its contents from Florida’s heat and humidity required the installation of a climate control system and this glass roof.

Through stained glass windows, the gardens are visible.

Vizcaya has thirty-four rooms decorated with antique furnishings dating from the 15th through 19th centuries.

Here you can really admire the sumptuous detailing of the Enclosed Loggia…

… and the Dining Room.

Vizcaya looks more like a palace somewhere in Europe than a private American home!

All decked out for Christmas.

On the second level are several bedrooms, the kitchen and breakfast room, and James Deering’s private bath. Just as expected, these rooms are lavishly appointed as well.

I hope you enjoyed this photographic journey of Villa Vizcaya. Many people go to Miami for the beach and nightlife, but this gem is definitely worthy of a visit too.

This is my submission for Travel Photo Thursday. Check out Budget Travelers Sandbox for more great photos from around the world!

 

Miami Vacations

Ruth at Tanama Tales nominated me to participate in the “My Travel ABCs” series and I was more than happy to participate. It’s a fun survey asking bloggers about their travel experiences, with one question for every letter of the alphabet. Here are my responses:

A: Age you went on your first international trip:

I’m pretty sure my first international trip was with my family when I was seventeen years old. We took a Carnival Cruise from Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera, with stops in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, and Cabo San Lucas.

B: Best (foreign) beer you’ve had and where:

This beer stein is as big as my head!

I’m actually not the biggest fan of beer (since I hate “breaking the seal” at bars), but I had a really fun time at the Hofbräuhaus in Munich, Germany a couple of years ago. I also liked visiting the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, Ireland. I know that I don’t care for Heineken beer though. In fact, when I took the brewery tour in Amsterdam, I gave my free samples at the end of the tour away!

C: Cuisine (favorite):

I like all types of ethnic foods and always try the local cuisine. I really love Thai food so am looking forward to the day I can visit Thailand and enjoy the real thing.

D: Destinations – favorite, least favorite and why:

This is a tough one. My favorite country is definitely Spain. I hope to live in Barcelona someday—I love the art, architecture, people and culture, and the fact that it’s on the beach doesn’t hurt. I think my least favorite destination was Napoli, Italy. I made it my home base when visiting Pompeii and Capri and thought the city was filthy, the traffic (and drivers) terrible and there didn’t seem to be any interesting sights.

E: Event experienced abroad that made you say “wow”:

I was in Paris for Bastille Day on July 14, 1995 and had never seen such a celebration in my life before. I remember it vividly; well over a million people were crowded around the Eiffel Tower as it was lit up with fireworks and lasers. Musician Jean Michel Jarre was there performing a concert for tolerance in commemoration of the 50^th anniversary of the United Nations. I found this link on YouTube showing the festivities.

F: Favorite mode of transportation:

Trains! I love taking trains everywhere. I especially like the high-speed trains I’ve ridden in Europe and hope to ride on some in Asia someday too. I really can’t wait for the day that they have HSR in the United States.

G: Greatest feeling while traveling:

I love learning about a place’s history and culture, meeting new people, and seeing places that I’d only read about in books. This is my raison d’être.

H: Hottest place you’ve traveled to:

I think the hottest place I’ve ever been was right here in California—in Palm Springs. There have been times in August when I’ll be  relaxing by the pool and it’s over 120°F (in the shade!)

I: Incredible service you’ve experienced and where:

Probably the best service I’ve experienced was when I flew First Class from Los Angeles to Hong Kong. It was a 14+ hour flight and I remember how the flight attendants opened a bottle of Dom Perignon and jar of beluga caviar just for me! (I flew on a buddy pass so I can’t imagine ever getting such service again.)

J: Journey that took the longest:

Santorini, Greece

I think the longest journey I’ve taken was with my sister when we traveled from Santorini, Greece to Interlaken, Switzerland non-stop. I had a flight to catch out of Paris but we desperately wanted to hit Interlaken before I left. I think it was a three-day voyage via hydrofoil, bus, overnight ferry, and multiple trains with no resting between the two places. It was torturous!

K: Keepsake from your travels:

I collect all sorts of things. I like small locally-made handicrafts and artwork, Christmas ornaments (or keychains that I can turn into ornaments) and recently began picking up miniature snow globes for my nephew.

L: Let-down sight, why and where:

I suppose it’s a good thing that I can’t think of an answer for this one! I racked my brain for something that disappointed me and couldn’t really think of anything.

M: Moment where you fell in love with travel:

It was during the first backpacking trip I ever took, after graduating from college. My three-month long adventure was truly a life changing experience. Ever since then I’ve had an insatiable passion for traveling, learning about other cultures, geography and world history.

N: Nicest hotel you’ve stayed in:

I’m not one to splurge on hotels. Usually I prefer a clean budget hotel or maybe a nice, affordable boutique hotel when I’m traveling. However, years ago I stayed at the Kaua’i Marriott Resort, which ranks up there as one of the most impressive hotels I’ve been to. It has the largest swimming pool in the entire state of Hawaii!

O: Obsession—what are you obsessed with taking pictures of while traveling?:

I’m obsessed with taking pictures of everything! Recently I started snapping shots of windows, doors, and bridges.

P: Passport stamps, how many and from where?

Like lots of Americans, I’m obsessed with getting passport stamps! So far, I’ve received them from: Argentina (6), Australia (2), Brazil (4), Canada (2), China (3), Croatia (3), France (2), Germany (1), Greece (1), Hong Kong (4), Hungary (1), Ireland (1), Italy (4), Jamaica (1), Macau (2), Mexico (2), Montenegro (1), Netherlands (1), Portugal (2), San Marino (1), Spain (3), Sweden (1), Turkey (2), United Kingdom (1), Uruguay (2) and United States (11).

Q: Quirkiest attraction you’ve visited and where:

I’ve been to the Sex Museum in Amsterdam and seen the creationism dinosaurs in Cabazon, California, but I think the quirkiest thing I’ve seen on my travels was this giant motorized shopping cart in Punta del Este, Uruguay:

R: Recommended sight, event or experience:

Everyone should definitely see Iguazu Falls in their lifetime. Located at the borders of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, it’s a bit out of the way but is easily reached by regular flights from Rio or Buenos Aires. To me, it ranks up there with the Grand Canyon and Yosemite in terms of natural beauty. [So far I've convinced 6 people to visit Iguazu and they all loved it!]

Cataratas do Iguaçu, Brasil

S: Splurge; something you have no problem forking over money for while traveling:

I always try to stick to my budget, but if there is something unique that can only be experienced in a specific destination, then I’m all for splurging on it. I never want to return home and think “if only I had done that…”

T: Touristy thing you’ve done:

I love to do the touristy things when I travel—since , after all, I’m a tourist! I’ve done everything from going to the top of the Eiffel Tower and posing like I’m holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa, to walking the Freedom Trail in Boston and taking the ferry to the Statue of Liberty. Recently I was even a tourist in my own backyard and had a great time discovering some of the most interesting sights of L.A.

U: Unforgettable travel memory:

There are too many to name. All of my travel memories are precious to me. Some off the top of my head are: visiting the home where my Dad grew up in the Azores, spending New Year’s Eve in Rio de Janeiro, and pretty much everything about Istanbul, Turkey.

V: Visas, how many and for where?:

I think five: Australia, Brazil, China, Jamaica and Turkey.

W: Wine, best glass of wine while traveling and where?:

When I was young (and broke) visiting Venice, Italy, I sat on the ground at the Piazza San Marco to enjoy the string quartets playing under canopies. I told myself that someday I’d return to Venice and be able to afford a glass of wine, but would sit at one of the café tables. Sure enough, last year I checked this off my bucket list and had a wonderful glass of wine, just as the tides were flooding the piazza. It set me back something like $60 but it was well worth it!

At the Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy

X: eXcellent view and from where?:

The views from Pão de Açucar (Sugarloaf) and Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil are among the best on earth. Both afford staggering, 360-degree panoramic views of the glamorous city, undulating mountains and broad, sandy beaches below.

A view of Rio de Janeiro from Sugarloaf Mountain

Y: Years spent traveling?:

We did lots of family vacations in California when I was growing up, but I think I’ve been “serious” about traveling for about sixteen years now.

Z: Zealous sports fans and where?:

I’ve seen zealous soccer (football) fans in Spain, Italy, Argentina and Brazil. I’m not a big sports fan, myself, but I’d love to see the Olympic Games or FIFA World Cup in person someday.

What do you think of my ABCs? Feel free to add your thoughts to the comment section below!

Now, I’ll nominate a few fellow travel bloggers to do their ABCs too:

A View to a Thrill

Vagabond3

Budget Travelers Sandbox

Sophie’s World

Inside Journeys

* Santorini Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Driving along scenic MacArthur Causeway, which connects downtown and South Beach, you’re sure to notice the massive cruise ships lined up to the south in Biscayne Bay. However, what you might miss if you don’t look the other direction are signs for Jungle Island, a tropical zoo that’s really worth stopping for.

As you enter the park, you’re greeted by dozens of exotic birds on hanging perches amidst dense, tropical foliage. You can even feed many of them right out of your hand. Jungle Island has birds of every color of the rainbow: parrots, macaws, toucans, cockatoos, lorikeets, flamingoes and many others.

From the highway, you probably noticed giant white sails poking above the zoo’s vegetation. This marks the spot where the Jungle Theater is located.  Visitors can watch “Tale of the Tiger,” the park’s conservation-oriented, exotic animal show featuring tigers, leopards, lemurs, chimpanzees and gibbons, among others. Adjacent to the theater is an enclosure where Vulcan, the liger lives. A liger is a very rare hybrid animal fathered by a male lion and a female tiger, and is actually larger than either of its parent species. These gorgeous animals only occur in captivity since the habitats of lions and tigers don’t overlap in the wild.

Across the park is the Manú Encounter, an expansive walk-through aviary that allows guests to see some wild animals and birds up close and personal. I’ve been in aviaries before, but this one was different. Fashioned after the clay cliffs in Manú, Peru, there are huge macaws and parrots flying freely, as well as mischievous squirrel monkeys running amok inside.

Being that Jungle Island is in South Florida, it’s only natural that there’d be an everglades habitat. You can walk through a replica of this special ecosystem, which features much of the flora and fauna found in the natural environment.

Besides the “Tale of the Tiger” show mentioned above, Jungle Island offers several other animal performances throughout the day. In “Dr. Wasabi’s Wild Adventures,” visitors meet all sorts of animals—from a baby warthog to Hamadryas baboons and African penguins. Another entertaining and educational show is “Winged Wonders.” Held at the 1,200-seat Parrot Bowl amphitheater, this show features singing and talking birds as well as an enormous free-flying condor and a beautiful (but dangerous) cassowary.

The entire Jungle Island facility was planted without the use of any artificial fertilizers or pesticides, making it one of the only entirely sustainable theme parks or zoos in the United States. Jungle Island has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program’s Gold Level designation. This mark is awarded to organizations that have made a conscious commitment to adopt technologies and practices that reduce pesticide risk to human health and the environment.

What I like most about Jungle Island is that it gives you an opportunity to see many animal species in their native, tropical habitat. Also, the park is the perfect size for kids since it isn’t too big to wear them out. I loved seeing the liger as well as being able to pet and feed some adorable red kangaroos. (I was surprised at how soft their fur was!) I know many people go to Miami for the nightlife and beaches, but I was really glad I made the detour to visit Jungle Island.

Where: Jungle Island is located at 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, off I-395 between Downtown Miami and South Beach.

When: The zoo is open 365 days a year. Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

How much: Adults (ages 11 – 64) are $32.95 plus tax; 
Seniors (age 65+) are $30.95 plus tax
; Children (Ages 3 – 10) are $24.95 plus tax Children (Under 2) are free.

For more information: Visit their official website at:  jungle island.com

Here’s a slideshow of some of my favorite photos from my visit: 

Happy New Year everybody! Here’s the first “Where in the world am I?” photo challenge of 2012. This week, I’m looking for a specific answer of where I took this picture. Do you know know?

Like in weeks past, I’ll give no clues up front, but will periodically tweet and post clues on my Facebook and Google+ pages to help you out. So, if you don’t already follow me on Twitter, click here.

• Leave your guess here on my blog only (not on Facebook or Twitter) by Friday, January 6th at noon (PDT).
• I’ll be giving out hints via Twitter & Facebook throughout the day on Wednesday and Thursday.
• One guess per hint (i.e.: with each hint, you can leave a new guess.)
• One winner will be randomly selected from those who answer correctly and will be featured on my Facebook Fan Page, Twitter and Google+ Page with his/her name, blog (if applicable), twitter, as well as a brief bio.
• Anyone can participate!

Please note: Moderation is turned on for this contest and all comments will need to be approved before they are posted.  No need to resubmit your comment.  This way, no one will steal your answer!

I hope you all have a very happy (and travel-filled) 2012!

Here are the clues I’ve given so far:

The answer and winner of this week’s challenge:

I took this photo last week while vacationing in Miami, Florida. It shows the Biscayne Bay side of the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens. Three people answered correctly but after randomly selecting a winner, congratulations are due to Cathy at Traveling With Sweeney!

Visiting the Villa Vizcaya was a real treat. I never expected to see a property like this in South Florida! The estate was built by wealthy industrialist James Deering in 1916 as a winter retreat. Located in the Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami, the spectacularly manicured grounds feature expansive Italian Renaissance gardens, grottoes, fountains and mangrove thickets. And believe me, the interior is equally impressive. I’ll be writing more about this beautiful place next week, so stay tuned!

This week’s winner is one of my favorite bloggers. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Cathy’s had a lifelong passion for travel. She enjoys sharing her perspectives on places she’s been, places she wants to go, tips and travel-related topics that she finds interesting. Be sure to check out Cathy’s blog at Traveling With Sweeney, become a fan of her Facebook and Google+ Pages and follow her on Twitter too!

Here was last week’s photo, correctly identified by Mary at The World Is A Book as Oberammergau, Germany. Oberammergau is world-famous for hosting the Passion Play, a seven-hour production depicting the life and death of Jesus Christ. Every decade since 1643 the town’s residents have produced the play, honoring a vow they made to God if he spared them from the bubonic plague. Today the play is staged every ten years, in the final year of each decade – that is, the year whose numeral ends with a zero. (The next performances will be in 2020.) Congrats Mary!

Best Domestic Travel Destination 2011

I did a fair amount of domestic traveling this year (mostly in my home state of California) but it worked out perfectly that I’m wrapping up the year in my favorite U.S. city—Miami Beach, Florida. To me, everything about Miami is perfect. It’s late December and it’s 80 degrees outside! How amazing is that? I’ll be posting several stories in January about my experiences here, but in the meantime here’s a link to the Top 10 things to do in South Beach.

Best Travel Experience 2011

My best travel experience this year was spending a week with my family at a luxurious beach house in La Jolla, California. This time under one roof with everybody was simply awesome. I think my most memorable moment was teaching my two-year-old nephew how to fly his Buzz Lightyear kite on the beach.

Best International Destination 2011

Sadly, for the first time in a decade I didn’t leave U.S. soil this year. Fortunately, I did a lot of international travel last year so had plenty of material for my travel blog. I was really hoping to make it to Cuba in 2011, but one thing led to another and unfortunately it did not happen. I hereby proclaim 2012 to be the year of international travel!

Worst Travel Experience 2011

I’m happy to report that I had no bad travel experiences this year… which is perfectly fine with me. Last year I missed two international flights (at great expense) so I think I was due for some stress-free travel.

Most Embarrassing Travel Moment 2011

Hmmm… I can’t think of anything embarrassing that’s happened to me this year. Only five hours remain in 2011 so I better embarrass myself fast! Maybe streak down Lincoln Road?

Best Local Destination 2011

I’d have to say my favorite local destination was Catalina Island. I was born and raised in Southern California so it’s unbelievable that I’d never been there until this year. I’ve been to five continents and to islands all over the world—from Hawaii to Hong Kong and the Azores to the Cyclades—yet never to an island that’s only twenty-two miles from Los Angeles. I was able to spend my birthday weekend with some of my best friends so it really was perfect!

Best Travel Lesson from 2011

Although I didn’t do nearly as much traveling this year as I’d hoped, I still learned a lot. I think I really came into my own with my blogging and “met” many others just like me whose passion for travel has really inspired me to continue writing and to see more of the world. I wish everyone a very happy, prosperous and travel-filled 2012!

Now, I’m nominating the following bloggers to share their Best of Travel for 2011:

Man On The Lam

No Vacation Required

Twenty-Something Travel

Vagabond3

Wild Junket

New Year's Eve - Times Square, New York (courtesy: asterix611, flickr commons)

Here in America we’re all familiar with the New Year’s Eve traditions of counting down the seconds till midnight, throwing confetti, toasting with champagne and kissing your loved ones. Of course, the biggest celebration happens at Times Square in New York City with the dropping of the giant Swarovsky crystal ball. Since 2011 is drawing to a close, I thought I’d ask my friends and family members about the New Years traditions from their homelands around the world.  The first two I’ve taken part in myself, but I had to do some research to fill out this list. Some of these sound really fun!

1)  In Spain and Portugal, when the clock strikes midnight, everyone eats twelve grapes—one for each toll of the bell. This is said to bring twelve months of prosperity in the coming year. When I did this in Madrid a couple of years ago I learned the hard way that it’s best to do this with seedless grapes or risk choking!

2)  In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil during Réveillon, throngs of people fill Copacabana Beach, dressed all in white. It’s customary to wear colored underwear too; red signifies love and yellow signifies money. As part of the New Year’s tradition, people lay candles, flowers, and small trinkets in the sand as gifts to Iemenjá, the goddess of the ocean. Many put their offerings in little boats and set them adrift. Tradition has it if your offerings are taken out, you will be granted prosperity in the coming year; if the waves return them to you, you will not.

3)  In Scotland they celebrate Hogmanay, the biggest holiday of the year. It’s also considered good luck to be the first person to visit a friend’s or relative’s house in a tradition called “first footing.” Visitors customarily bring a lump of coal (or peat) for the fire. Also, in the Scottish Highlands many people prepare for the New Year by burning juniper branches and carrying them throughout the house. The smoke is said to purify the home for the New Year.

4)  In Puerto Rico, people roll a coconut around the house and then throw it into the ocean. And, at the stroke of midnight, children throw pails of water out the window. It’s also common to burn frankincense and myrrh inside the home as well. These acts are supposed to rid the home of evil spirits in preparation of the New Year.

5)  In Greece, people bake a special New Year’s cake or bread called vasilopita in honor of St. Basil. Inside the cake is a silver or gold coin or a small charm. Whoever finds it will have good luck in the coming year.

6)  In The Netherlands, the Dutch burn their Christmas trees in giant bonfires in the streets. This is done to drive away the bad spirits of the previous year. Also, at noon on New Year’s Day, thousands of people dive into the freezing cold North Sea for good luck.

7)  Following the theme of burning things, in Hungary, people set fire to effigies of “Jack Straw” on New Year’s Eve. This represents the destruction of evil from the past year for them as well.

8)  In Ecuador, Venezuela, and parts of Mexico, it’s common to carry a piece of luggage out of the house and walk around the neighborhood with it. This ensures that a vacation will happen in the New Year. (I want to do this one for sure!)

9)  In Japan, they throw bonenkai or “forget-the-year parties” to bid farewell to the problems of the previous year and prepare for a new beginning. Then, at midnight, Buddhist temples strike their gongs 108 times. Also, it’s common for children to get small gifts with money called otoshidamas.

10) In Denmark, people throw dishes at the front doors of their friends’ homes. In fact, it’s customary to save up old dishes throughout the year for this occasion. The more dishes you break determines how many friends you will have and how good the coming year will be. Another popular custom in Denmark is to jump off a chair at midnight, thereby leaping into the new year.

So, what are your favorite New Year’s traditions? Have you done any of these? Please write them in the comments area below. I wish you all a very happy and prosperous 2012!

New Years Eve in Times Square, New York (courtesy: Atomische, Flickr commons)