Lipari, my beautiful island in the Mediterranean

It was one of my greatest discoveries of this 2014 and I must confess that I'm thinking when I will visit Lipari, certainly will not go beyond the spring of 2015. On trips I have a maximum, if a destination has made ​​you happy, always you should try to return. So Lipari adds to my already long list of destinations to which we must always return, like New York, Mexico City, London or Formentera. In a reflection aloud, it could well be my new Formentera Lipari, much cheaper and less crowded (I am or Formentera this year is really impossible?).

I got completely casually Lipari -live the casualidades- as part of the itinerary of the Mediterranean cruise I did in June aboard the sailing ship Royal Clipper . It was the last stop and I confess I had a feeling more pain that otherwise because the cruise came to an end, but no more set foot on the island my feeling changed radically and one of the thoughts that assailed me was something like " this place will love me " . And so it was.

And the most popular of the Aeolian Islands , located off the coast of Sicily, has been a traveler crush for me, though of course like everything that has to do with love, is completely irrational (os I mention this because there was several ship passengers who did not like anything. I still think that visited another island). Tourism Lipari is like taking a small step back in time. A scene of an Italian film of the 60s where still walking remains the greatest pleasure. Not much else to do in Lipari except lie in the sun on one of the beaches most beautiful in the world, Spiaggia Bianca (the name is already quite enlightening), and access to the their fortified acropolis. Also worth, and much, it is worth a visit to the Museo Arqueológico , whose entrance costs 6 €.

And I know you're waiting for, this is the paragraph in which I speak of shopping and shopping . Unfortunately, and because, of course, lack of time I had to know the island and not bring directions in the hole, but that I can tell you it (see photo) was the best pasta dish of my trip to Italy, and I enjoyed a rather cutrón restaurant port of Lipari . I cannoli for dessert, of course, that are (almost) in Sicily.

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The end of my stay in Lipari gave me one of the most magical moments of my life, sailing in front of the Stromboli volcano in full eruption , which also belongs to the Aeolian. Sometimes life gives you these surprises.

The hotel came with a 'baguette' under his arm

You go to a bakery for freshly baked baguette and salts with a double room overlooking the characteristic Eixampl and Barcelona. This has been the result of one of the hotels with the novel concept of Barcelona, ​​the Praktik Hotel Bakery, which includes a bakery within the hotel. And even through in a brief post -Bon Voyage Travel Blog , I did not want to miss the chance to tell my brief experience in the hotel Praktik.

One more example, not everyone, of the growing trend in rising themed hotel. In addition, the Praktik Bakery offers a plus, and it's being able to wake up each morning to the aroma of fresh bread. And, make no mistake, I do not know about you, but to me it strikes me as a most appetizing experience.

In case you're wondering where this curious hotel in Barcelona neoyorkina both aesthetic one, you will find it camouflaged among the typical architecture of the Eixample district and next to the Paseo de Gracia. The prestigious designer Lazaro Rosa-Violán (AD Award 2013) has been commissioned to give their special touch to the 74 white and neat design rooms and of course his absolutely original, bakery.

And that pretty well and could define this new hotel concept in the words of Anna Bellsolá, owner of the prestigious and traditional bakery Baluard. "Because no two equal loaves, no two alike hotels. Each bread is unique, handcrafted and almost artistic, full of textures, colors, shapes, and likewise each hotel room is unique with its charm, its smell, its treatment and its sensations to enter it " .

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Where to celebrate Thanksgiving in Barcelona

Many of you already know, but since I lived in the United States does not go a year without celebrate Thanksgiving night. It is, of course, another reason to get together with friends and family, but for me it's different, special, do not know, it's a nice celebration and also the menu is delicious advantage ingredients most popular season, as the squash or chestnuts. In my case, I confess, I'm not very good cook so I can not ask for more than bake a whole cake or cook a good pasta with white truffle oil and Parmesan kilos. My two popular dishes that unfortunately do not help me to honor my guests on Thanksgiving.

The holiday turkey is the favorite Joey

It was autumn when I landed in Barcelona, ​​almost on a day like today but four years ago. So newcomer to the city, one of the first dates I had marked on the calendar was precisely the Thanksgiving Day, and obviously needed a place to celebrate. That was how I discovered the DosTrece restaurant where I celebrated with my friends this traditional festival since I live in Barcelona. The restaurant is simple but nice, cooked well, respecting which just above menu is terrific value for money, € 25 with wine included. It is also eaten very well in Picnic, of which I have spoken in the past as the perfect place for a brunch in Barcelona . I am that also offer traditional Thanksgiving menu, but I've never tried it (and neither will this year because I'll be in an exotic destination a little far from Barcelona where I hope you celebrate too).

But, why and when is celebrated in this festival, one of the most important in the United States? There is no fixed date, but it is always the fourth Thursday of November since 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln said so . For example, now in 2014 will be the 27th Thanksgiving is a whole religion in the United States, with included- parade and blessed globalization, increasingly in the world.

Restaurant DosTrece

The traditional Thanksgiving menu includes:

• Pumpkin soup with chestnuts
• Thanksgiving turkey with traditional stuffing
• Mashed potatoes and baked beans
• Juice sauce turkey and cranberry sauce
• Pumpkin pie pudding
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3 hotels to stay in Provence

If there is a break that never get tired of repeating it to Provence. I recognize the fact of living in Barcelona is fortunate, because in just over 3 hours drive I stand in Arles or Nimes, two of my favorite cities in southern France. I like to go to Provence in search of disconnection it is actually funny because usually use this destination as a refuge when I'm a little melancholy or tired or conversely also when I have an adrenaline and I want to celebrate something. Well, that s lways is a good time to visit Provence.

There are many options as to what route do. I, perhaps by professional deformation, which usually do is choose hotels that want to visit and as that, I point a route. I always try to choose hotels that are more or less close to each other, as this prolific region in southern France is not exactly small, it's not that I love to spend the whole trip driving. Traveller My advice is to look, look, compare and you decide on one of the zones, depending on weather. The first thing I advise is to visit cities like Arles, Nimes or magical Aix-en-Provence. While soaking up the Provençal lifestyle, walk, watch and get lost in its narrow streets and then opt for such a wonderful hotel that make you forget the world. Provence is inexpensive, come on, is not Paris, but it is not cheap. The trick is to travel off-season (my best advice extensible to multiple destinations) and try to find good deals there are. The last time I traveled to this beautiful region was in May, on my 33rd birthday, and I had the pleasure of discovering new regions and 3 new hotels of which I speak today in this post. They are good examples of the art of living in Provence, but I insist that there are many more, if you know better, but certainly equally special.

- Located just over 5 minutes from Avignon, I decided on the Hotel Le Prieuré (leprieure.com) because of it. I brought comfort to visit the city of Avignon, did not know, and secondly own calm and luxury of a Relais & Chateaux. I liked it, I would recommend and repeat, because this hotel gave me many cool things; the possibility of taking a glass of champagne in his garden surrounded by mimosas and fresh flowers, a romantic and decadent dinner for a very reasonable price and the best croissants in Provence, no joke. It has 25 rooms, which for a hotel of this type are many, but honestly not even noticed. Everything is so quiet and balanced just stumble upon anyone in public areas, even in the pool. Here is calm maximum.

- The hotel where the actress Keira Knightley, the Chateau de Mazan (chateaudemazan.com) married, was the second hotel within my route through Provence The truth is that I had very high expectations before staying in it and sincerely. all they fulfilled. It is a superromántico spot with a point of decadence that makes it even more attractive. Many times I have said that a hotel must have soul, and certainly this mansion belonging to the Marquis de Sade has. It is as if a couple of days acudieras your second home in France, because you really do feel at home from the moment of check in, where everything is so relaxed you can settle without prior registration. A plus in this hotel is the terrace of his restaurant, perfect for those endless summer nights with a glass of Chablis in hand.

- And even in the Domaine de la Baume (domaine-delabaume.com) has not married anyone famous (or at least to my knowledge), yes I can tell you that this wonderful Provencal mansion was until recently home to the reputed French artist Bernard Buffet. I think it may be the most special place you've visited. For nice, by magic, by stylish. A typical eighteenth century mansion which woke up the day of my 33 birthday accompanied by a bottle of champagne and a delicious chocolate cake. My room also had a fireplace and great detail like a huge bathtub to relax and simply enjoy. The building it is located is huge and besides their bucolic garden also has to some natural waterfalls, pool, tennis court and spa. While staying at the Domaine you can also, taste the oil thanks to the olive trees of the farm and wine vineyards that give occurs. Really you can ask for more?

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Travel to Malta: 24 hours in Valletta

Last week I had the opportunity, finally !, visit Malta. I did thanks to the itinerary of my Mediterranean cruise made ​​a stopover in this beautiful country, although I will tell you this and next week and tell you all the details. It is true that in less than 24 hours does not really have time to visit this beautiful Mediterranean island (which incidentally also Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were shooting), but I had it to soak, and much of its capital Valletta. I also have a close friend who has lived on the island for 4 years (Bea hello!) Ago so we could not get me a better guide her to discover the charms, which are few, in this historic city, just worthy of title of European Capital of Culture 2018.

Valletta is certainly the ideal place from which to delve into the compelling story of this archipelago, with as fascinating as the St. John's Co-Cathedral where you will see "The Beheading of St. John" monuments, the most important work of the renowned Italian painter Caravaggio. Although for me the real gem of the city is the Manoel Theatre XVIII, very century, a magical place as small has the privilege of being the third oldest theater in Europe still in operation today. Come to see if only to enter their stalls, like a toy theater.

Rocca Piccola in a mansion dating from 1850, you can return to the past and lifestyle of old, also has a shelter used during World War II. The Malta Siege Bell aims to honor the Maltese 7,000 victims of the Second World War, which represents a small sample of the true attitude of the Maltese, who know a bit of wars.

Do not miss the old gateway to the city, recovered by architect and Pritzker winner, Renzo Piano Prize, the City Gate project. It is particularly significant recovery of this city gate, all a Maltese symbol. It is also connected to the moat that surrounds via a ladder and has a panoramic lift Refrain who suffer from vertigo, to view it from above. The elevator, by the way, is a great joker to avoid the steep slopes of the city rise to the modest price of 1 € the way up and down.

I do not know about you, but after so much history and so much beauty need a break. Valletta this is solved by sitting in any of its terraces, as the popular Café Cordina (where a cheescake costs € 0.60) and is the oldest of the city or just contemplating the beautiful views from the Grand Harbour, where perfectly they identified the "three cities" (Senglea, Vittoriosa and Conspiscua). Valletta also highlight its decadent local and signs (I have a thousand pictures of store signs and posters!) And its walls and golden stone facades, still contribute a greater historical value to the city.

I admit that I felt good in Malta. It was like stepping back in time in a fate that faces the future with eager to make things right. And it shows.

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