Travel

Ballooning in Napa

Posted on March 30, 2016
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An Exciting, Beautiful, and Colorful Experience. My partner in crime surprised me with a hot air balloon flight. I was so excited and nervous at the same time. I’d always wanted to do this, but I was not sure how unstable, scary, and maybe dramatic it was going to be. The tours usually take place during the early morning, when there is not much wind and it’s safer to fly. Napa is about one hour and a half from home, so we decided to leave on Friday night and spend the night close by.…Read more …

Charming London

Posted on February 18, 2016
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Amazing Vibe, Architecture, and Pubs! Get In and Around London. Buy an Oyster Card to use the tube (underground trains) and buses. It is the most affordable and comfortable way to get around London. Which Airport to choose? There are more than five airports scattered across London. Some are farther than others. Traffic and fatigue after flying makes the distance even worse. Heathrow Airport is the most convenient one; you can take the tube, Piccadilly line, from there to central London for only $4 GBP. There is also an Express Train that you…Read more …

3 Fantastic Days in Amsterdam

Posted on November 18, 2015
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We arrived in Amsterdam at night, just in time for a delicious Italian dinner and catch-up with great friends. Ciro Passami L’Olio was our first meal in this great city. Ciro and his staff, Filippo, Alessandra, and Salvatore, were gracious hosts and offered excellent service, delicious dishes, a cozy and warm atmosphere – and even a picture with a famous Italian singer! Day 1. We enjoyed breakfast/lunch at Vlaamsch Broodhuys. The Panini, croissant, and coffee are great! Everybody around drinks a green tea, fresh mint leaves in hot water with honey on the side. From now on,…Read more …

Greek Wonders: Athens and Santorini

Posted on October 29, 2015
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Greece is a fabulous country to visit. Greek history, people, food, beaches, and landscape are simply wonderful. Athens is not the prettiest city, but its old buildings, charming streets, delicious cuisine, and happy people will make for it! Santorini is one of the most beautiful places I have visited. Its blue and white architecture is absolutely charming and romantic. Santorini is a very popular and touristic island, so there are a lot of tourists and prices are higher. Athens and Santorini were both great places to explore, eat, take pictures, relax, and have a…Read more …

Munich, The OKTOBERFEST Experience

Posted on October 1, 2015
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Munich, a very charming city in Germany, hosts the biggest public festival in the world. People from all over the globe come to experience a fun and traditional beer festival. I stayed at the Four Points Sheraton in Olympia Park. This hotel is very convenient for access to Olympia Park, BMW Welt, BMW Museum, BMW Group Plant (for those BMW fans!), and Olympiazentrum Station, all of which are next to the hotel. The hotel staff were very friendly, and they looked great wearing Bavarian dresses. The mood in the lobby was very Oktoberfest…Read more …

New York City in Pictures

Posted on September 3, 2015
/Under Photography

New York, one of my favorite cities to visit. I lived in New York and I have been many times, but there is always something new to visit and too much to do. I never get tired to go to NYC emblematic places. The vibe, energy, creativity, art, food, architecture, and landscape are unique! Travel and enjoy in pictures a sunrise, the Liberty State park, the Statue of Liberty, Time Square, Chelsea Market, Manhattan, Meatpacking District, Washington Square, buildings, people, streets, food and more. Click on the photos to get a complete and more…Read more …

Oh! SEATTLE

Posted on August 12, 2015
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Top 8 Places to Visit + a Bonus 1. Pike Place Market. At the main entrance check out a fresh fish flying when somebody purchases seafood and go to the Market Spice to try their famous cinnamon-orange tea, my favorite tea in Seattle! There are many local stores for vegetables, clothes, art, flowers, wine, meat, honey, coffee, books, chocolates, maps and more to immerse yourself in. There are a couple of different levels; walk and have fun! The first Starbucks is located a few steps from the Pike Place main entrance. It always…Read more …

RIO dE JANEIRO, The World Cup!

Posted on July 15, 2015
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Cuiabá - Brasilia - Rio de Janeiro Thursday, June 26th – Cuiabá/Brasilia CUIABA 10:00 am Last day in Cuiaba. Breakfasts are so good in Brazil! Especially the cheese breads and sausages at the cute and highly recommended Deville Hotel. After exploring Mãe Bonifácia Park, which was very dry, we just saw one animal that could not be identified from far away, and some birds. While coming back to the hotel area, we got kind of lost and no taxis were around. The park was approximately one and a half miles away, walking…Read more …

BRAZIL Adventure, The World Cup!

Posted on June 26, 2015
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Rio de Janeiro - Cuiabá - Brasilia, First Part. A unique and exquisite experience! Friday, June 20th – San Francisco 12:00 pm Carry on, soccer jerseys, jeans, walking shoes, shorts, swimming suit, blouses, sandals, reversible skirt, hat, Colombian flag ... And I’m ready to fly! Avoided: Jewelry, expensive cameras, big lenses, and check-in bags. San Francisco - Houston - Rio de Janeiro, an upgraded flight makes a long flight very pleasant. Saturday, June 21st – Rio de Janeiro 11:00 am After we arrived at the hotel Acapulco Copacabana, I discovered is overbooked! After…Read more …

4 Days in PORTLAND

Posted on May 20, 2015
/Under Travel

Friday Meeting friends. Last minute trip to Portland! It was all rush-rush to the airport, to try to catch an 8:50pm flight from SFO. In just under two hours, we landed in Portland. Taking the MAX rail, the red line to downtown Portland from the airport, is very convenient! After forty minutes by train and walking two blocks, we found the Westin Hotel. It is nice and clean, has an elegant staff, contemporary pictures on the walls, and a peculiar white-tea smell. Now we were ready to meet our friends. A couple was…Read more …