Happiness Is Just Around The Bend

Are you going to visit Bogota? No doubt, Bogota is one of the most enticing cities I have explored on my South America voyage. Often touted as the beating heart of Colombia, Bogota has everything to lure tourists. From Colombian coffee, pristine nature, vibrant culture, and yes the delicious cuisine. For a fact, the city bewitching city of Bogota is often overlooked, unlike Medellin. There are many things to do in Bogota , Colombia . And like any other popular tourist destination, Bogota offers its tourists a taste of everything. From towering skyscrapers to colonial buildings, it has everything! But, what’s the highlight of this place is the incredible culture riches that are in the abundance here in Bogota, ranging from shopping areas, theatres, sports venues, restaurants, all beautifully reflecting the cosmopolitan nature of this enticing city. But as they say, nothing is perfect. There are several things when you visit Bogota that, being a traveler, you should look to stay away f...

The smell of fresh baked bread and lush, rich chocolate. Quiet classical music.  A high arched ceiling, dark exposed wooden beams against bright white. Artistically placed vintage treasures. A tiny, carefully selected menu, changing from day to day: artisanal bread with cream cheese; coffee from a local farm; thick fudgy oat cookies; gooey brownies baked with fresh cacao, also from a local farm. Are we in San Francisco? No, we’re in an artisanal bakery in  Minca, Colombia : a tiny village in the midst of jungle-covered mountains, an hour outside of Santa Marta and 6 hours from Cartagena, Colombia. Duni is a foodie find in little Minca that would fit into most modern city settings. With its carefully curated, locally sourced farm to table menu, it would fit perfectly into a New York, San Francisco, or London setting: a quiet reprieve for the busy hipster to enjoy a coffee and some truly outstanding fresh-baked bread while browsing the internet. As it is...

Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy, Argentina. A 155 km (96 mi) long mountain valley, carved by the Rio Grande, is indeed a spectacular place. Populated 10,000 years ago, it later served for the Inca Empire, who managed to turn this site into a complex trade route. Today it is enlisted as a World Heritage site and protected by UNESCO. Although its cultural prominence is much more valued, the natural beauty of the colorful mountains is also worth mentioning. The area can be explored on a one to three days lama trekking. Garganta del Diablo is an impressive canyon with a waterfall, while El Pucará provides a wonderful panoramic view. Both places can be easily reached from Tilcara. Why to go there? Beautiful nature, cultural significance. Various accommodation options in the small towns of Quebrada, Purmamarca, Humahuaca and Tilcara. When to go there? From May to August the weather is not too hot and drier. In summer (December to March) however the impressive Rio Grande is flowing, which ...

Table of Contents Bahia: the Brazilian soul Bahia: Food and Culture Other Places to Visit in Bahia Planning a Trip to Bahia Bahia: the Brazilian soul Bahia, otherwise known as the “African Capital of Brazil” is one of the most well-regarded and culturally-rich states in Brazil. Home to the coastal city of Salvador, the first ever capital of Brazil, Bahia is filled with history, atmosphere and culture that has led many to claim that the very soul of Brazil resides in this region. And you don’t have to go far to see why. The historic center of Salvador, Bahia On the southern coast of Bahia, the beautiful city of Porto Seguro is where Pedro Alvares Cabral first “discovered” the ancient lands of Bahia in 1500. Cabral claimed the land for the Portuguese Crown before proceeding with his mission to India. Under Portuguese rule, the city of Salvador was established and soon became the administrative and cultural epicenter of the Portuguese-owned areas in the Americas. The following ye...

Reading Time: 3 minutes Rio de Janeiro. Is it a city? Beach? Jungle? … Luxury? Poverty? This cultural and geographical fusion is a headlining destination. If there was a destination based Hollywood “A” List, Rio would be on it. Rio de Janeiro is an undisputed favorite amongst travelers because it makes your spirit dance. It takes you by the hips or collar and keeps you up all day and night. It sways your heart and challenges everything you thought you knew about people and places. Before you know it, your spirit is dancing. It’s the people. It’s the activities. The landscape. The blatant socioeconomic segregation that we often ignore in our own cities. The music. The food. The nightlife.  The richness in art. It’s Rio. I recently collaborated with Brazilian photographer and personality Paulo del Valle on an article “No World Cup? Why You Should Still Visit Brazil.”  He is a local expert of things to do in Rio whose taste I trust. ...