Destination Highlights Archive

Extreme Iceland: Four-Wheeling the Back Country

By Marty in Destination Highlights, Travel Tips | on September 2nd, 2010

A truly mysteriously unique and beautiful country, Iceland really needs to be seen in order to fully understand this majestic land. After spending a day or two in Reykjavik you will be forever grateful that you booked an exciting tour of Iceland’s back country in a souped-up four-wheel drive vehicle. The tours take you through some of the most beautiful scenery you will ever see.
The tour starts when specialized 4x4s pick you up from you hotel, a great way to start any tour. The vehicles are either a Jeep or a Landcruiser or similar, customized to handle the treacherous terrain that Iceland can throw at you when you veer off the beaten path. The vehicles feature heavy-duty suspension systems, reinforced steering, added horse power and of course huge tires that when deflated to 2psi, the 4×4 is actually lighter per square inch than a man walking across the snow.
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The vehicles are all driven by guides who are both extremely knowledgeable about the terrain of Iceland and how to navigate the unforgiving landscape as well as highly experienced 4×4 drivers. The drivers come from both nature and hiking guide backgrounds that are enthusiastic with both 4x4s and the beautiful countryside of Iceland.
The journey starts as you make your way towards the Urridafoss waterfall, which is Iceland’s largest in terms of total water volume. The journey takes you through rough terrain to the foot of the Eyjafjallajokull glacier. Get out and stretch your legs out as you are able to actually walk behind this impressive waterfall and feel the power of Mother Nature pouring down in front of you.
Following a roadside lunch and refreshments the journey continues on as you travel deep into the back country of Iceland towards Myrdalsjokull which is Iceland’s fourth largest glacier. As you ascend this intimidating glacier through deep snow the views from the top are priceless. On a clear day you are able to see the Eyjafjallajokull volcano, the very same volcano that caused mayhem for the air industry this past spring.
On your way back to Reykjavik you are given the option of a detour through a black sand beach towards the Solheimajokull glacier to view the beautiful blue glacier ice which offers great photo opportunities. The tour commences as you are dropped off in front of your hotel where you can take in all that you have experienced.
The best part of these tours is that they can only handle so many people per tour, so you receive very personal service and the tour can be customized to your likings. Plus the excitement and adrenal that you feel forging rivers, climbing steep glaciers and plowing through deep snow in an extreme 4×4 is an experience that you will never forget. Don’t miss your opportunity to see Iceland the way few people have. Book your flight to Reykjavik now and book a trip for a four-wheel drive adventure through some breathtaking vistas that cannot be described until you’ve seen it first hand. It is sure to be a trip of a lifetime!
Iceland4x41 300x168 Extreme Iceland: Four Wheeling the Back Country

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World Cuisine Wednesday

By Joy in Destination Highlights, World Cuisine Wednesdays | on August 25th, 2010

A trip to Madrid may have you coming home with a new tradition to start your dinners.  In some parts of Spain, dinner does not begin with just the meal, rather, tapas are served; and when they are, the socializing commences.

Wikipedia notes “According to The Joy of Cooking, the original tapas were the slices of bread or meat which sherry drinkers in Andalusian taverns used to cover their glasses between sips. This was a practical measure meant to prevent fruit flies from hovering over the sweet sherry. The meat used to cover the sherry was normally ham or chorizo, which are both very salty and activate thirst. Because of this, bartenders and restaurant owners began creating a variety of snacks to serve with sherry, thus increasing their alcohol sales. The tapas eventually became as important as the sherry.”

Not only are tapas a delicious meal starter,  but the time spent consuming them also makes for an excellent occasion to catch up with and enjoy those in your company.  Today, there is a large variety of tapas, not just meat and bread.  On this World Cuisine Wednesday, I will share a recipe for my favorite, empanadillas! (Miniature versions of empanadas.)

Chorizo Empanadillas

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 egg white
  • 5 tbsp chopped onion
  • 2 bell peppers, chopped
  • 3 oz pimento stuffed olives
  • 3 tbsp chopped capers
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 12 oz chorizo
  • 1 package puff pastry sheets

Preheat oven to 375°. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add onions, peppers and garlic; sauté for about 5 minutes.  Add the chorizo and cook until chorizo is browned.

Add chorizo mixture into a bowl with paprika, olives, capers salt and pepper and mash together.  Set aside.

On a floured surface, roll out pastry to about 1/8” thickness and cut out circles with a 3 inch cookie cutter.  Spoon about a teaspoon of the mixture into the center of each circle of dough.  Using a pastry brush, brush the outer edges with egg white and fold filled pastries in half to form a crescent. Pinch edges together to seal in mixture, then use a fork along the curved part of the empanadillas.

Bake until golden brown and puffed, approximately 15 minutes.

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Finland + Winter= An Unforgettable Vacation

By Marty in Destination Highlights | on August 20th, 2010

With summer starting to wrap up and school getting back into session, its time to start looking into those winter travel plans. You’ve probably done the island escape or the Disney trip with the family in the past, so why not think of something new this year. Winter breaks don’t have to be spent basking in the sun as there are countless ideas for a winter break that will be sure to last a lifetime in your memory. Finland in particular is host to a few activities that you probably never thought of, and are still under the tourist radar.
Finland is a great place to visit during the summer, but the true character of this Scandinavian country really comes out when the mercury starts to drop and the first snow touches the ground. There is so much more to do in Finland than skiing. Take for example dog sledding.
That’s correct; dog sledding is an activity that can be enjoyed by anybody. Finland offers dog sledding safaris that take you deep into the wilderness and is an experience that you will never forget. No prior dog sledding knowledge is required as you will be briefed by an expert guide on the basics of how to handle the dogs and the sled. After the lesson in dog sledding, your journey commences.
The length of the journey all varies on what you are looking for, whether it is a short 5km tour through the snow or a longer, 20km ride that takes you deep into the Finnish wilderness or even a weeklong safari covering great distances. All safaris include at least a campfire lunch served with tea and coffee to warm you up and the tour companies usually provide thermals to keep you extra warm.
The atmosphere of a dog sled ride through the winter wonderland of Finnish backcountry will leave you breathless the entire time. Whether it’s the scenery that leaves you speechless, the utter silence that nature emits or the dogs that seem to always find their way into the hearts of the travelers, this activity is something that will forever resonate in you.
While Finnish backcountry is amazing to be seen in the daylight, a whole different scene comes out at night. Taking a nighttime northern lights snowmobile safari will also be a memorable experience that you will never forget. While the tour guides cannot guarantee that you will see the Aurora Borealis, Northern Finland is one of the better places on Earth to see this random natural phenomenon. The journey itself is an experience to be remembered. There are few places on Earth that offer a night skyline like in Northern Finland where the stars seem to go on forever and the sounds that nature produces is unlike anything you’ve heard before. You may even see a few wild reindeer or Elk on your journey as well. And don’t worry if you are afraid of the dark as an experienced guide leads the way and maintains the safety of the group.
So forget the beach this winter and try something new, something that the whole family will enjoy and never forget. Book your airfare to Finland now and surprise your family with a vacation out of the ordinary!

sledding 1543129c 300x187 Finland + Winter= An Unforgettable Vacation

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Munich: Germany’s Cultural Gem

By Marty in Destination Highlights | on August 16th, 2010

Munich is a city in southern Germany that truly has a lot to offer the traveler. A must see destination of Europe, Munich is a seamless blend casual modernity with timeless history. Ageless buildings sit inconspicuously next to modern skyscrapers, cafes scattered amongst historic squares all contribute to the feeling of comfort that Munich emits.

The best place to start your exploration of Munich is at the Marienplatz, located at the heart of historic Munich. Exploration of the city is easy from here as all important locales are easily within reach. Here you will find a number of cafes, restaurants and museums to entertain. The main feature is the Mariensaule, a large column topped with a magnificent gold statute of the Virgin Mary. You will also be impressed by the sights and sounds of the 43 bells of the 280ft tall automated glockenspiel.

From there a trip to the Frauenkirche is a must. The Frauenkirche is Munich’s Church of our Lady and also one of the more impressive sites Munich has to offer. This church was built between the years of 1468 and 1488, but was almost completely destroyed by World War II. The church was then rebuilt following the war in 1953. The highlight of the Frauenkirche is the two red brick towers that rise up 1065 feet to offer one of the best views of Munich.

Munich is also home to numerous museums that offer a variety of exhibits. Claiming to be the world’s largest science museum, The Deutsches (German) Museum boasts an 8 story building packed with exhibits that range from windmills to space probes. Seeing everything the museum has to offer would take at least a few days, but organized tours can be arranged to view the highlights of the museum in just one trip. Children will be particularly amused with the interactive displays and exhibits that encourage active learning and fun.

Another place worth noting is the Bavarian Museum. It is a little smaller than the German Museum, but still has 3 stories of exhibits. The displays range from all eras of European art and culture, but have a main focus of Bavarian items and exhibits.

It’s not worth talking about Munich if you don’t mention Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest has quickly grown to be the world’s largest public festival, attracting more than 7 million people each year. The festival is centered on what Munich is best known for, beer, but also offers a lot more to the visitor. Elaborate costumed parades, dancing, concerts and as much sausage and oompah music that one can handle, plus all the beer from all over the world that is on hand to sample. The 2010 dates of Oktoberfest is September 18 through October 4th.

If you have never been to this wonderful city, now is the time. Book your cheap flight to Munich and experience what this Southern German city has to offer!

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