Gray Line Wanderings Travel Blog

Oh the Places You'll go for a Good Cup of Joe. Photo by Umers30 on Flickr.

Hardly able to crack a smile before noon without coffee? Of the opinion that Nescafe is probably better for paving roads than human consumption? Willing to travel anywhere in the world to find a good cup?

If this describes you or a loved one… don’t worry. There is a vacation solution.

Whether you’re a java connoisseur or a simple devotee to the morning routine, there are places in the world that true coffee lovers simply must go to get their fix. Maybe your next vacation will take you to the coffee plantations of Asia or have you yelling out your order at a vicious espresso bar. I can assure you though, if you book your next vacation to one of these spots, you won’t be drinking instant:

1. To Nature (Indonesia): The famed Civet Coffee is primarily produced in Indonesia. Not familiar? Civet Coffee is made from a bean collected from the stool of the Civet monkey, then (thoroughly washed, I hope) and processed into one of the crappiest (haha), most expensive cups of coffee you’ll ever drink.
2. To the Farm (Hawaii): Hawaii has one of the best set-ups for coffee tourists. From the Kona Historical Society to the farms themselves, you can have an informative vacation full of bean-related information.
3. To the Table (Italy): If you’ve never had practice elbowing your way in and yelling out an order, perhaps 8 o’clock in the morning is not the time to try. Things can get aggressive at the Italian coffee bar, but they sure do take their brew seriously. Don’t expect any under frothed cappuccinos or non-fat lattes here. Your options are simple, straight forward, and absolutely delicious.
4. To the Jungle (Costa Rica): The fertile tropical rain forests of Costa Rica have produced some of the world’s finest coffee for centuries since the bean was introduced from Ethiopia in 1779. Follow the production process from planting to brewing where your tastebuds will discover why coffee is among Costa Rica’s top exports. (Take a Costa Rica coffee tour)
5. To a New Take (Turkey): Though its origins are in the 15th century, Turkish coffee might be new to many Western coffee drinkers. The preparation method in a pot (cezve) is perhaps the most interesting part, but the unmistakable clove flavor makes for a completely different take on classic coffee.

Where did you drink your best cup of coffee? Tell us about it on Facebook or in the comments section below! (Can’t see the comments? Click here to link to the full story: Oh the Places You’ll Go for A Good Cup of Joe: Coffee Vacations)

The Scene at Djemaa el Fna in Marrakech, Morocco. Photo by Author.

Sitting on the upper ridge of North Africa, Morocco has developed its personality with influences from the leisurely Mediterranean, bustling West Africa, and the devout Middle East. It may be no destination for tranquility seekers, but Morocco delivers a fascinating experience to anyone with energy for and interest in discovering a new perspective. Whether you primarily hit major cities or try to stay off the beaten path, there are several very distinct regions of Morocco that you can’t miss. If you’re looking for the complete Morocco experience, you’ll have to strap in for the medinas, gear up for the mountains and prepare yourself for a vacation you’ll never forget.

1. The Atlantic Coast: Whether you make it to Agadir, Essaouira or Casablanca, the Moroccan Atlantic Coast is an undeveloped stretch of beach towns, forts and harbors that sit outside the inland chaos. You’ll have the chance to remember what stillness feels like as you face away from the street and wait for the hazy neon sunset to come.

2. The Medina: The medinas of Morocco are walled cities that house everything essential in Moroccan daily life. From the chaotic souks (markets) selling dates by the kilo and lavishly decorated leather shoes, to the more tranquil hamams (baths) and mosques, half the fun is in getting lost. Whether you’re wandering around the medinas of Fes or the more manageable Marrakech, the journey is actually quite fun as long as you have a major landmark, some extra time and a big sense of adventure.

3. The Sahara Desert: The Sahara Desert has a certain prestige amongst deserts. Still hosting generations of nomadic groups who continue to live by traditional survival methods, the desert has managed to remain very much the same in a rapidly urbanizing world. A trip to the Sahara is mysteriously alluring for visitors to Morocco. In spite of the harsh climate, its absolute vastness and true remoteness gives you a chance to see something that you really can’t imagine without being there yourself.

4. The High Atlas Mountains: This tall mountain range in Central Morocco spans east toward the Algerian border. While this North African mountain range is an interesting spot for climbers, there are also plenty of opportunities for the less vertically inclined. Its steep peaks can challenge even the most experienced climbers, but the High Atlas also offers a chance for travelers looking to escape the city or connect with the country’s Berber population on shorter trips.

It takes the right kind of attitude to enjoy, but if you’re ready for a big change of–pace, scenery, climate, and altitude–Morocco will deliver.

Ever been to Morocco? What was your favorite spot? (Click here if you can’t see the comments below: Mountains, Medinas, & Other Must See Morocco)

Chicken Tagine. Photo from mcmorgan08 on Flickr.

“Hello, madam. You like cheap, good, clean food?”

Actually, I prefer expensive, tasteless food with E. Coli, I thought, sarcastically. I had been offered the same pitch all day, but I suppose  it was starting to feel like lunch time.

I have heard from a few true foodies that Moroccan cuisine is one of the best in the world. Needless to say, I came to Morocco ready to eat. And I guess that cheap, good, clean food is a great start. So I followed the man inside, and sat down for a full Moroccan meal.

Undo the top button on your jeans, and lets eat Moroccan food.

1. Tagine: Though tagine was traditionally prepared in it’s namesake cookware, modern Moroccans normally skip the slow cook in favor of a quicker meal. Tagine is most basically a stew of tender vegetables and meat, but are made unique through the addition of olives, dried fruit, or perserved lemon alongside a blend of Moroccan spices.

Harira. Photo by Rui Ornelas on Flickr.

2. Harira: Any Moroccan will brag about the seemingly simple Harira, but the boasting is not without cause. This traditional Berber soup is a popular appetizer made from a base of tomatoes and flour loaded with just about everything in the pantry. Lentils, onion, Moroccan spices, and chickpeas give this seemingly simple soup a Moroccan flare.

3. Cous Cous: While the adventurous American household might serve up cous cous on occasion, it probably doesn’t rival the Moroccan preparation. Though simple, the grains are soft and served with stewed vegetables, tender meats, and rehydrated raisins for a warm and delicious entree.

Uncooked Kefta. Photo by jlastras on flickr.

4. Kefta/Kofta: If it looks and tastes like a really delicious meatball, its probably a Kofta.

5. Pastilla: Seperatists of sweet and savory should steer clear of the pastilla, however, if you are willing to mix, you’re in for a treat. The pastilla is a pastry of filo dough that is about the size and shape of a pita loaf filled with pulled chicken or pidgeon, cinnamon, and raisins. The top is dusted with a thin layer of powdered sugar for a sweet and fabulous finish. Dessert optional.

If you like this article, you might also want to check out “Top 10 Middle Eastern Foods: Eating as the Jordanians Do“ Have you eaten Moroccan food before? What are some of your favorite dishes not mentioned above? Tell us about it in the comments section below! (Click here if you can’t see comments field: Top 5 Moroccan Foods: Eating as the Moroccans Do)

"...Counting Cows as I Drift Off to Sleep." Photo courtesy of public-domain-image.com

Despite my professed apathy for a straight cup of cow milk, I truly love cheese, ice cream, yogurt and all other milk byproducts. That’s what made my transition to the travelers diet quite heartbreaking. In spite of spicy noodles, savory stews and tangy stir-fries, I couldn’t stop thinking… where’s the cheese?

October 20th, 2011 - Indonesia: “…Amazing! I love Asian food. Dumplings, sate, and fried rice galore. Saw some American guys eating hamburgers at McDonalds… heh. What a cop out! I could eat this kind of food forever.”

January 3rd, 2012 - Thailand: “…I’m slipping. I have reverted to my old ways of yogurt and cereal for breakfast even though it has nearly doubled my daily food budget. Yesterday, I bought a block of cheese that tasted more like salted plastic and grass than cheese–I ate it anyway. My idea of a diet is only having one Chocolate Royale cone a day. I also ate from a block of goat feta that my friend’s family carried to Thailand in a suitcase on a 17 hour flight. Desperate times have already fallen, and 10 months remain.”

April 27th, 2012 - India: “…Paneer is cheese! But it’s spongy and wet. Hmm… this isn’t too much like cheese after all. Where’s the cured cheese? The ice cream is usually freezer burned and the yogurt sits in unrefridgerated pyramids with the excess dripping down the bottles… I tried my luck with the ice cream. I got sick. I guess now I really have to wait”

June 30th, 2012 - Israel: “Yogurt and spreadable cheese wedges! Ice cream is still outlandish, but I think we’re definitely moving back into milking territory. Staying with a family friend that buys REAL cheese. Life couldn’t be better.”

August 8th, 2012 - Spain: “Milk, gelato and cheese, woohoo! Cream soup, cream cheese, cream sauce, oh no. I think I’m going to be sick.”

October 20th, 2012 (Prediction) - USA: “Checking out at the grocery store with a cart full of ingredients to make Pad Thai… my bottle of fish sauce costs three times more than my block of swiss cheese. Oh, how things change.”

Alright, foodies. What food do you miss the most when you travel? Give me your most vivid description in the comments below or on Facebook. (Can’t see the comments below? Click here for the link: Dairy Diaries of an International Traveler)

Photo of the Wadi Rum Desert in Jordan from photopedia.com

…I apologize in advance if you’re expecting a desert survival guide; I think any advice I gave on the topic would be more likely to leave you dehydrated, burned, and withering away. But what I can tell you is what to expect on a Bedouin camping trip!

If the idea of spending a day four wheeling through an expansive desert past camels and rouge rock walls doesn’t excite you, you haven’t seen Aladdin or Gladiator recently enough. There is something incredibly vast and mysterious about one of the world’s harshest biomes, and something unnerving about camping out underneath a finally-visible universe of stars above.

What to Expect from a Desert Camping Trip:

As with anything, what you can expect on a Bedouin camping trip varies significantly depending on the price and the country in which you’re traveling. For the lower end trips, you can expect basic provisions—a guide, a car with a usually-functional engine, a simple tent and facilities, a heavy dinner, and all the tea you can drink. On the other end of the spectrum, there are more expensive camps that can offer up hot showers, an air-conditioned vehicle, and even electricity.

A day in the desert is best described as long, hot, and dusty. You’ll spend a lot of time in the car traversing to different natural landmarks, a lot of time resting, and the remainder of the time at the camp sweating out gallons of water. Bring a book, cards, plenty of snacks and water, a flashlight, and comfortable (conservative) clothes to wear for your downtime at the camp in between outings. Believe it or not, there’s not a whole lot to do if you don’t bring it with you.

As night falls and the air chills, you’ll revel in slight relief from the heat. Expect a meal heavy on carbohydrates and protein, but low on fresh fruits and vegetables–you are in the desert after all. That being said, most of the camps stock up on modern items like Laughing Cow cheese wedges and pita bread. Before heading to sleep, your mind will wander as you forget any discomfort and watch the sky illuminate with a million stars above. This is the part that’s really worthwhile.

If you’re traveling somewhere arid like Morocco or Jordan, there’s no better recommendation than to just embrace it and head right into the desert… with a guide of course. It may not always be comfortable, but it is certainly a fascinating and thought provoking way to pass a few days of vacation. Have you ever slept in the desert? Tell us about it on Facebook or in the comments section below! (Can’t see the comments? Click here for the link: How to Sleep in the Desert)

Baking cookies is also in the job description. Photo by author.

Puppet shows, hair braiding sessions, and sing-alongs are all in a day’s work. I feel like I’m living the life of a modern day Maria… Maria Von Trapp, that is.

I’m an au pair for three little girls in Spain, but I feel more like a very involved big sister. What else do I do? I hang out at the pool, enjoy Spanish style three course meals, and create far more crafts than the average twenty three year old. I also help with English homework and speak English while playing pretend and reading aloud. I spend my days living in and learning about Spanish culture, my evenings taking a language course, and my weekends exploring a foreign city.

Who knew this was a job?

What is Au Pairing? Au pairing is a cultural and language exchange for young adults. In exchange for board, lodging and a small weekly stipend, the au pair helps the family with childcare and light household tasks. Au pairing is not the same as nannying or housekeeping.

Who Should Be an Au Pair? Becoming an au pair is a great opportunity for young people to learn another language and experience another country through living with a local family. Au pairs should be kid loving, patient, open minded, willing to teach their native language, and relatively free of additional financial responsibilities. 

Where Can I Au Pair? There are families seeking au pairs in nearly every country in the world. While the hours, pay, and responsibilities vary slightly and the experience varies significantly, you can work as an au pair almost anywhere. Check out some of the listings on Au Pair World.

Why Should I Au Pair? If you want to live abroad, gain childcare experience, or study a foreign language in-country, there is hardly a more affordable option. Along with valuable life skills, you learn a lot about how real families function around the world, and it can be a great experience to fully integrate yourself into another lifestyle for a period of time.

What are your thoughts on this kind of cultural exchange? Do you have any questions? Have you ever done anything like this? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! (Click here if you cannot see the comments: Au Pairing Abroad)

In my (often not humble) opinion, the next-best thing to physically traveling to an exotic destination is hibernating for a while and losing yourself in a book about one. For this reason, I’m starting a new series here on the Wanderings blog, reviewing my recent reads–specifically the ones that take my imagination on a trip and make me forget I’m actually eating cereal on my couch (probably spilling milk on a library book.) Also, this is a purely selfish avenue for me to assuage my own guilt about the book clubs I keep meaning to join.

Perhaps a bit later than those who dictate the bestseller lists, I recently picked up Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. Verghese is a doctor-cum-author, and this first novel follows the nearly mythical lives of the Stone family, one full of doctors and medical professionals. In several sections of the novel, the author’s detailed descriptions of surgeries and anatomy toe the line of overly technical, but don’t skim these – it’s actually quite fascinating. Cutting for Stone takes its name from a section of the Hippocratic Oath, and follows the lives of Marion and Shiva Stone, born to a star surgeon and his Carmelite nun assisting nurse (scandalous, right?) in an Ethiopian hospital. There are elements of drama, mystery, love, hate, and life lessons on every page, and winding throughout the book is the fascinating phenomenon of the twin connection. Abandoned by their father after a traumatic birth that killed the love of his life, the twins are raised by two Indian doctors at an Addis Ababa mission hospital, and follow their own unique paths to the medical practice they were born into. The final acts of the story play out like a television medical drama–tense, to say the least.

Although the characters are memorable, generally likeable and interesting, my favorite character is the setting. Ethiopia is the center of this book’s universe. In the beginning, characters are drawn there–they find themselves in love and unable to leave. The Stone twins grow up there, feeling love from the dusty ground and in the misty mornings, and when they leave, their thoughts remain in Ethiopia. The land, the food, the culture, the physical traits of Addis Ababa’s citizens, these all become elements of home and security.

All in all, a great, easy, interesting read–not earth-shattering by any means, but seriously entertaining. And thanks to Mr. Verghese, Ethiopia is now on my must-visit list.

Photo courtesy of Cachemania

Are you still a Muggle? Or have you caught the Geocaching bug yet?

Geocaching seems to be everywhere. Literally everywhere. Currently there are over 1.8 million locations worldwide and that number is growing daily. I kept hearing about geocaching but wasn’t sure what it was so I decided it was time to do some investigating into this new pastime.

In a nutshell, geocaching is a real-world outdoor treasure hunting game for adventure seekers of all ages around the world. Players have hidden millions of “caches” for you to find literally in every corner of the world. A cache is a small container (not always small – they do vary in size) which contains a log sheet for you to record your team’s arrival and the date that you found the cache.  If the cache is big enough it may contain a small treasure. You may take the treasure as long as you trade it for something that you have brought with you of equal or greater value.

Players find the hidden caches by using GPS coordinates and often additional clues to narrow the search further at the location. With a GPS unit or GPS enabled smart phone players navigate their “team” to the hidden spots and try to locate the cache. A team can be one or more people – it’s totally up to you.

Once you locate the cache in its secret hiding spot, you put it back exactly where you found it for the next team to discover and leave a note online for the cache owner detailing your visit for them and future visitors to read about. You can also leave notes indicating if you could not find it, if the cache needs maintenance or anything else that might help future players.

And the best part? It’s free. You can sign up for a free account on geocaching.com,  create a user name and start locating treasure near your current coordinates (there is also a premium service available for a fee).

Keep in mind that you definitely need a GPS enabled device. I also decided to download the Geocaching App for my phone and that made things super easy on the go but it’s not mandatory. As a novice player, I would also recommend tennis or hiking shoes (no flip flops!), bug spray, a pencil and maybe even a hat as you are definitely outside and some of the terrain may require you to tromp off trail. We have also learned to read the description of the cache you are seeking carefully as some are out in the open and easy to find making them great for younger seekers and others may require that you hike off trail or though difficult terrain which make them a better fit for those without small children.

You can also plan a trip using geocaching to break it up along the way. So far my family has found caches along a roadtrip we have taken though the middle of America to great success and new experiences. Kids and adults have both enjoyed the “game” as we have played it. It’s a nice way to see your own destination in a new way or experience a destination in a way you may not have expected. You may also meet other players along the way which is a great additional benefit we have discovered.

Have you tried Geocaching yet? What’s the most unique cache you have found so far? Share your experiences in the comments below or on the Gray Line Facebook page. (Click here if you can’t see comments: Geocaching Fever)

The Beaches of Tel Aviv Overflowing on the Weekend. Photo by Author.

Although Israel is a truly tiny country, with glimmering Mediterranean coast lines, a slew of contemporary cities, a collection of biblical ruins, and an awesome cuisine, it certainly holds its own on the global scene. Israel is fascinating semi-European country with Mediterranean influences dropped into the culturally rich Middle East which makes it quite a versatile vacation destination. Are you backpacking on a budget or balling? Retracing your roots or escaping your routine? Seeking day trips or nightlife? Israel has really got it all. If you get the chance to get out here yourself, here are some of the best places in Israel for your vacationing pleasure!

A Side Street in Akko

4th of July at the Dead Sea

Top 5 Places to Visit in Israel

1. Jerusalem: Best Historical Sights in Israel

• The Old City of Jerusalem is undoubtedly one of the oldest and most important places on earth in terms of religious, political, and historical relevance. You can explore the origins of the Abrahamic religions at the Western Wall, Via Dolorosa, and the Dome of the Rock while enjoying some of the best falafel in Israel. Sounds like a good day of sightseeing to me!

2.Tel Aviv: Best Place to Luxury Travel in Israel

• If you’re looking for a getaway with class, you can’t go wrong in Tel Aviv. With tons of ritzy restaurants, five star hotels, art museums, and cultural shows, Tel Aviv excels in upmarket offerings. Spend your days at the beach and your evenings wandering around in search of THE place to be.

3. Dead Sea: Must See Sight in Israel

• While a dip in the Dead Sea is not necessarily as refreshing as one in the Mediterranean, this salt lake is a must visit for travelers in Israel. Float around or give yourself a mineral-rich mud treatment that would break the bank on shore!

4. Akko: Best Place to Chill Out in Israel

• Akko is an up-and-coming fishing town in Northern Israel with a well preserved history and a beautiful coastline to boot. While it lacks the restaurant and bar scene of other Israeli cities, it is a good chance to escape the cities and relax. Get there now for an authentic perspective on Israel’s Arab culture and the UNESCO World Heritage Sights!

 5. Haifa: Most Beautiful City in Israel

• Sea views, the Baha’i Gardens, and the tree-covered slopes of Mt. Carmel make Haifa more than just another concrete city. While the city’s cultural and art scene is still developing, a visit to Haifa is necessary if you want to experience natural beauty without getting too far from the city.

Jerusalem's Old City at Sunset. Photo by Author.

Today in Bethlehem and Jerusalem, I explored three of the most prominent world religions and actually retraced the life of Jesus Christ.

I never thought I would say that…

While I’m not an overly religious person, there was something overpowering about walking through the cobblestone alleys of the 3000 year old Jerusalem and touching the mosaic-covered walls of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. In spite of 22 years of Christmas story readings, religious studies classes, history lectures, Easter services, and Sunday school lessons, seeing the place itself was the first time the stories adhered to my mind as something very real. And this was the very first lesson on religion that I didn’t have the secret urge to sleep through.

The Gray Line Jerusalem & Bethlehem Tour began at the Mount of Olives viewpoint where we were able to get our bearings on the city. The golden Dome of the Rock served as the center, and like a giant dial, everything else in the city was referenced as a directional hour from the center.

Inside the Church of the Nativity

In attempt to avoid the lines, we went to Bethlehem first to see the Church of the Nativity where the birth place of Jesus is commemorated by a metal star enshrined with candles and elaborate curtains.

Unlike the Bethlehem I imagined (open meadows, crumbling inns, a novelty hay-filled crib, etc.) the city was like any other tourist spot with shops and refined hotels. However, the real surprise was that it was actually a politically buzzing Palestinian territory enclosed in a barbed-wire-covered concrete wall decorated in spray paint murals–including some by the urban art legend Banksy.

Graffiti by Banksy in Bethlehem

After a stop in the gift shop and lunch, we headed into the Old City of Jerusalem for the remainder of the tour. We walked through the evenly divided four quarters of Jerusalem– the Armenian, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim Quarters– and watched the evolution of architecture and traditional dress with the curves of the streets. We caressed the Wailing Wall and watched devoted Jewish pilgrims press their faces against the cold stone while expressing gratitude to God.

The Wailing Wall

We walked the Via Dolorosa, retracing the steps of Jesus when he carried the cross to his own crucifixion. We entered the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where Jesus was believed to be buried. And finally, at Jerusalem’s most recognized monument, the Dome of the Rock mosque, we discussed the religious significance of a mosque standing on the site that Jews believe to be the very spot where God created the Earth.

Our Gray Line Guide on the Via Dolorosa

Within the city of Jerusalem we explored the topic of the growing religious conflict that is grouted into the streets and visited ancient history wrapped inside old city walls and surrounded by modern society.

Exploring the Old City of Jerusalem was among the most valuable history lesson, religious studies class, and church service that I had ever attended. I was reminded once again that the best way to learn anything is to get out into the world and see things for yourself. And technically, I was on a business trip for Gray Line, so I guess that I have the best job ever.

Whats the most educational trip you’ve ever taken? Let us know in the comments or on Facebook!