Tag: Islands

One Day in SANTA CRUZ de TENERIFE

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I urgently need to make a correction to this post. No, I didn’t make a typo. Oh no, there are no grammatical or spelling errors – at least, that’s what I hope. I was simply entirely misjudging Santa Cruz when I first created this post.
Was it the bad weather?
Was it the exhaustion after a few weeks on the road?
Whatever it was that drove me to portray Santa Cruz as not worth seeing, I was wrong.
So very wrong!

Street in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
View of the iconic belfry of the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción from the picturesque Calle Antonio Domínguez Alfonso.

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the city on another trip to Tenerife, and what can I say, I thought it was a great place: Lively and yet not stressful, with lots of shops, excellent restaurants, beautiful squares, and a pleasant promenade along the sea, the city scored highly at second glance. And since I was hunting for the best street art, this time I also went to parts of the city that usually aren’t on the tourist agenda.

Charming alleys, friendly residents, lots of local vibes, and yes, the best street art in Tenerife convinced me: Santa Cruz is not only absolutely worth a day’s visit. The city, which is connected to a comprehensive public transport network, can also be an excellent base and starting point for exploring the entire island.

So again: Sorry, Santa Cruz, I totally stand corrected!

This Way to the Whole Story ->

CANDELARIA, Home of the Canarian Virgin Mary and the Guanches

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Candelaria is a town on the eastern coast of Tenerife and for devoted Catholics, mainly a place of adoration of the Canarian patron, the Virgin of Candelaria, but it has already been the cradle of the indigenous Guanches and part of their Kingdom of Güímar thousands of years ago.

View of the city of Candelaria, the home of

You see, this charming town looks back at so much amazing history, and I’m happy to introduce this beautiful yet often overlooked place in this post.

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TAGANANA – Over The Hills And Far Away in Tenerife

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Instead of joining the tourist crowds on large beaches, are you looking for small bays to swim’n’sunbathe? Do you prefer to enjoy local cuisine and homemade wine in a small tavern over wild party nights? Would you like to be enchanted by picturesque mountain ridges and dense fairytale-like forests?
Then, I have the perfect place for you: A bit over 20 kilometers north of the capital Santa Cruz, Tenerife keeps one of its greatest treasures, namely the mountain village of Taganana – a place over the hills and far away.

View of Taganana, the other side of Tenerife
Lush vegetation and rugged mountain ridges above blue waters: The secluded village of Taganana consists of pure beauty.
This Way to the Whole Story ->

One Week in BONAIRE: The Best Activities Beyond Diving

Posted onAuthorRenata16 Comments

Bonaire is the easternmost of the three so-called A B C islands which are part of the Dutch Antilles off the coast of Venezuela.
The popular holiday destination Aruba is Bonaire’s little sister while Curaçao is the bigger and apparently more important one.
This makes Bonaire seemingly the oftentimes overseen middle child.
Very unjustly so since although it might be lesser known, B is still at least as beautiful and varied as its siblings A and C.
Need proof?
No problem: In this post, I’ve put together the best activities you can enjoy on beautiful Bonaire in one week – even if you are not diving.

Couple Snorkeling in Bonaire
Even if you’re not a diver, you certainly won’t be able to resist the turquoise waters surrounding Bonaire.
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BONAIRE Totally Unexpected: Street Food And Urban Art Tour

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Basically, all visitors are coming to Bonaire for the waters, for swimming and diving, and for snorkeling. And you cannot blame them, the smallest of the ABC islands is surrounded by some of the world’s best reefs. Getting into the water, you’re basically entering a borderless aquarium.
But come on, you water maniacs lovers, you don’t want to miss out on the best Bonaire has to offer ashore, do you? So quick, dry yourself off, put on some shorts and flip-flops, and let’s explore what Bonaire has in store when it comes to street food and urban art.
I promise you won’t regret it!

House in Bonaire. Bonaire Street Food Urban Art
That’s Bonaire: Flamingos everywhere.
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ARUBA: The Powerful Murals of San Nicolas

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While Aruba is famous for its beaches, far too few people venture to the hidden gem San Nicolas in the south of the island where you get to see some of the most powerful murals.

Street Art by ChemiS in San Nicolas in Aruba
He’s looking at you, kid.

In this post, I’m introducing some of San Nicolas’ most impressive pieces that you can explore self-guided or on an organized tour.

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The Best Beaches in Curacao You Can Easily Visit by Public Bus

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Curaçao is the largest and definitely most varied one of the ABC islands. Not only does it have a vibrant capital city that made it onto UNESCO’s list of world heritage. The island boasts powerful street art, fascinating history, amazing food, and world-famous liqueur. Yet, one of the main reasons tourists flock to the island, especially during the wintertime, are Curaçao’s idyllic coves and secluded beaches.
Contrary to all assumptions, many of the most beautiful beaches lining the island of Curacao can be conveniently and very inexpensively reached by public bus.

Curacao's northernmost paradise Playa Kalkí.
Curacao’s northernmost paradise Playa Kalkí.
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Murals in CURACAO: The Best Street Art Projects in Willemstad

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The island of Curacao is incredibly varied: There are idyllic coves and secluded beaches, a fascinating history, amazing food, and a capital city that UNESCO put on the list of World Heritage. And there is this impressively large community of artists adding to the island’s natural beauty with their ingenious and colorful creations. In this post, I’m introducing the best in street art Curacao has to offer.

Child by Garrick Marchena. Best Street Art in Curacao.
Portrait by Garrick Marchena in the vicinity of Willemstad’s Mambo Beach.
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One Day in SOLLER, DEIA, and VALLDEMOSSA – Famous Places for Famous People

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Although Soller, Deia, and Valldemossa are three of the most beautiful towns and therefore secondary residences of many rich and famous, they can be conveniently visited on a self-guided day trip by public bus. All you need is an elaborate timetable which I put together for you in this post.

Soller Deia Valldemossa, famous places on the Westcoast.
Pleasingly arranged buildings’n’bushes at the center of Deía.

As a matter of fact, there are two versions: One includes a ride on the historic Tren de Sollér, and the other one even a couple of relaxing hours on the beautiful beach of Port de Sollér. All that’s left to do for you is to choose.

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MURANO – BURANO – TORCELLO: A Self-Guided Island Tour

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Sure, there is a lot to see in Venice’s Centro Storico, the historic center, yet, there are also those smaller gems. In this guide, I show you how to visit Murano, Burano, and Torcello, comfortably on a self-guided tour. It’s actually pretty easy and inexpensive to visit these three islands on a day trip from Venice.

Getting to Murano by Vaporetto
Travelling between the islands in the Venetian Lagoon is very easy. Therefore, you can happily visit Murano, Burano, and Torcello on a self-guided tour.
This Way to the Whole Story ->