Gray Line Wanderings Travel Blog

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)

View of Barcelona from Park Güell

Big bonny boulevards bend around Gaudí’s grand Güell and grandstanding Gothic genius. Museums, Monserrat, Modernisme and mosaics create a Catalonian cloud nine.

Now I’m no poet, but Barcelona just lends itself to alliteration.

It’s a city engrossed by the sea, settled along the hills, filled with history and bustling with modernity. To put it simply, Barcelona is almost perfect. Whether you’ve got a couple of days or a couple of weeks to explore this Catalonian capital city, there are more than a few things that you shouldn’t miss. Here are the 6 best things to do in Barcelona:

El Dragon at Park Güell

1. Experience Gaudí: Two of  the most famous works of Antoni Gaudí, Park Güell and La Sagrada Familia, are among the most impressive sights in Barcelona. Their grandeur alone demands a visit, but their appeal extends past their size alone; the works of Gaudí are not only innovative and quirky, but quintessentially Barcelona.
2. La Boqueria at La Rambla: Though it is deemed the main tourist drag, Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria is a comprehensive–albeit a bit inauthentic–way to experience the cuisine of Barcelona. La Boqueria serves up a visual smorgasbord of fresh fish, gourmet tapas, dried fruits, cured meats, aged cheeses, and other Mediterranean favorites.
3. Montserrat: The mountaintop monastery at Montserrat, just outside the city, is a fascinating way to spend a day. Save your breath by making your ascent by bus or cable car, and lose it again as you look out across the sprawling city of Barcelona. For the views alone, this day trip is well worth the trek.
4. Tapas y Bebidas: As a food lover and wannabe Sangria connoisseur, tapas are probably my very favorite part of Spanish culture. Eating these bite sized appetizers–typically composed of a toasted piece of bread and some configuration of cured meats, fish, cheeses, and tomatoes– is probably one of the most delicious (eh… important) activities for any traveler in Spain. Check online ahead of time for special promotions like 1€ tapas on certain nights of the week!
5. Visit a Museum: You didn’t think  I was going to let you leave Barcelona without visiting an art museum, did you? Museu Picasso is the most popular museum in Barcelona and houses many of Picasso’s early works. If Picasso’s sketches are not your style, there are plenty of other museums for every interest like el Museu del Futbol Club Barcelona for “soccer” enthusiasts or el Museu de la Música for instrumentalists and music lovers.
6. Hit the Beach: Perfect sand, perfect waters… no further explanation required. Go.

My Favorite Bar is the Olive Bar. Photo by Author.

I arrived from India into Jordan without any idea of what to expect. I had long desired to travel to the Middle East but now that I was finally here, I recognized I really had no plan.

No plan, no problem. I would start with what I know how to do in any country.

Step 1. Get my bag and get out of the airport in the cheapest way possible. Step 2. Drop my bags off at my hotel. Step 3. Ask the front desk where the best local food is.

As a lifelong lover of hummus and falafel, I was eager to toss aside Indian masalas and find the best food in Jordan. Pricey organic versions of Middle Eastern food had long invaded my home, and I was ready for the real Arab food.

What I learned: You think you know hummus, but you have no idea.

Hummus in Amman. Photo by Author.

Middle Eastern food brings together the freshest, smoothest, brightest, crispest, tartest flavors into a simply perfect ingredient or an actual culinary masterpiece. If you find yourself anywhere in the Mediterranean, here is a list of the 10 Best Middle Eastern Foods for you to enjoy!

1. Hummus: This classic Mediterranean appetizer is mashed chickpeas blended with tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil. Eat a freshly prepared batch with parsley and pita to have your life changed dramatically.
2. Shawarma: This fast food option is the enticing meat block you’ve probably seen twirling around on a vertical spit. Shavings are wrapped up in a pita with anything from tahini to tabbouleh.
3. Falafel: Falafel is the vegetarian fast food option that is equally as delicious and equally as unhealthy as Shawarma.  Falafel is chickpea balls mashed with spices and onions, then fried and served as a snack or sandwich option just about everywhere.
4. Olives & Pickles: Practice has made perfect for pickled goods in the Middle East. An abundance of pickles and olives are readily available, and shouldn’t be overlooked as an afternoon snack.
5. Mansef: This dish is more of an authentic home experience than a meal. A flavorful rice mixture with goat and nuts is served over a thin bread with a prepared yogurt and served on a communal platter. Be prepared to get your hands dirty for this one.
6. Tabouleh: Tabouleh is salad of fresh parsley, bulghur wheat, tomatoes, and lemon juice that holds its own against a table full of entrees. It is tart and fresh, and probably one of the best simple salads on the international scene.
7. Kofta: Kofta is essentially a skewered meatloaf mixed with onion and parsley, then grilled to deliciousness.
8. Baba Ghannouj: If you’re not burned out on appetizers, baba ghannouj is a hummus look alike made with eggplant that is equally appetizing.
9. Kibbeh: Kibbeh is a tasty football-shaped spiced meat pie that is either fried brown or served in a soup in most Midle Eastern countries.
10. Tea & Turkish Coffee : While these don’t technically classify as a food, I would say that they are the most significant of all. Whether you start your day or finish your meal with a cup, coffee and tea are at the epicenter of Middle Eastern dining.

Got a Middle Eastern favorite that didn’t make the list? Let us know in the comments or on Facebook!

Image provded by Flickr user Sean Buchan - MacKinnon Photography

Friend: “Did you know Denver brews more beer per capita than any other city in the US?!”

Sonja: “Awesome! That would come in handy, if I liked beer.”

Friend: “Wait, what? That’s like saying you don’t like to snowboard”

Sonja: “I don’t like to snowboard”

Friend: “You, Sonja, are in the wrong state ”

This is a conversation I often have. Yes, I am very much a fish out of water living in the Rocky Mountain State. I am not a fan of winter sports. Why? Well, I am a huge klutz, my legs are constantly covered in bruises and the idea of strapping myself onto a board/skis and gliding down a mountain sounds like an accident waiting to happen. Now don’t worry, I won’t knock something til I’ve tried it… I’ve tried it and it’s not for me.

The same goes for beer. If I am handed a beer, I will take a few sips put it down, only to return to it 1 hour later when it is warm and flat… and who wants a warm, flat beer? Every time I inform someone that I don’t like beer they seem to take it as a challenge. As if no one has ever tried to convert me. It’s all well intentioned and who would I be to turn down a free drink? Crazy, that’s who.

Why is this so strange? So I don’t like beer, so what? Well I live in Denver, Colorado and went to college in Boulder. To say these two cities love their beer is an understatement. There are so many local breweries and microbreweries in the state that it really is odd that I have not found ONE beer that makes me crave it on a hot summer day.

I’ve decided that in 2012 I will expand my horizons, make a conscious effort to try new things, so I’ve decided that I will do my best to develop at least an appreciation for beer. You may never catch me purchasing a Growler but who knows I may surprise you and invite you out for a “cold one”.

So where to start?

1)   Check out this list of Top 10 Denver Area Breweries and Brew Pubs. Favorites include: Wynkoop Brewing Company – the oldest brew-pub in Denver, Great Divide Brewing, Del Norte Brewing, and of course Coors with their famous brewery tours.

2)   Boulder Beer Company: Colorado’s first microbrewery. Stop in to grab some grub and sample a few beers direct from the source.

3)   Avery Brewing Co: I actually used to attend deaf events here when I was an undergrad; it was a great way to practice my ASL.  American Sign Language Night is on the 1^st Tuesday of every month and is open to everyone. Don’t know ASL? That is ok; this is a great way to learn! ASL Night is on hold till August so you have time to at least get the alphabet down!

4)   Mountain Sun Pub and Brewery: There are 3 locations and they all offer great food, great brews, which equals a great time.

Even better, plan your visit around one of Denver’s famous festivals!

1)   Summer Brew Fest - July 27, 2012 – Held at Denver’s Mile High Station, this festival features 125+ brews from 45+ craft breweries as well as live music, food and more. If that doesn’t win you over, this is a great way to give back while getting your “swerve on”. Summer Brew Fest benefits the Swallow Hill Music Association which promotes the art of music in our community. Check them out!

2)   Oktoberfest - September 21-23 & 28-30, 2012 – Held in Denver’s Ballpark Neighborhood, come celebrate German heritage through music, dance and of course beer! If you have kids, don’t worry, Denver’s Oktoberfest is an event with fun activities for the whole family!

3)   Denver Beer Fest – October 5-13, 2012 – Held at various locations throughout Denver, this is a great way to experience the “Suds City”. Get a taste of what each eclectic Denver neighborhood has to offer.

4)   The Great American Beer Festival - October 11-13, 2012 – Held at the Denver Convention Center, this isn’t a mere tasting, this is the mother of all beer festivals! Last year 466 breweries were in attendance. They poured over 2,000 types of beer to a crowd of 50,000 “tasters” packed into the Denver Convention Center, a space roughly the size of 5 football fields! If you don’t like beer after this event, well, there really is no hope!

Don’t live in Denver? Now you have a reason to visit! Come during any of the times listed above to attend a festival or come out and make your own! Just remember to be safe, be courteous and have fun! While you’re at it, why not take a break from drinking to get to know our city by taking a quick tour. Whether to get the lay of the land or to head up into the beautiful Rocky Mountains, you can find tours in and out of the city at grayline.com/denver.

What are your favorite breweries in the Denver/Boulder area? (Click here if you can’t see the Facebook comments field below: “Of all my favorite things to do, the utmost is to have a brew”)

'Wonderful' Iguazu Falls

Back in Hellenic days, Greek historians sought to catalog what were then the world’s greatest creations, compiling the original list of the “Seven Wonders of the World.” Of course, back then, the “world” consisted of a pretty limited area surrounding the rim of the Mediterranean Sea.

Today, people for some reason are still compelled to boil down all of the planet’s wonders – both natural and man-made – into neat little lists reflective of that original concept. As if it was possible …

But, in an effort to contribute to this continued fruitlessness, we’ll bring you the results of the most recent attempt. Some group called the New Open World Corporation (this just sounds like something George Soros dreamed up) announced their compilation of the New Seven Natural Wonders of the World, after a round of online voting that ended 11-11-11 at 11:11 and 11 seconds.

I’m writing from Argentina, and the list was (relatively) big news in Buenos Aires because the insane Iguazu Falls area that straddles the border with Brazil made the cut. The truly awesome site is made up of some 275 waterfalls cascading more than 80 meters. It is certainly worthy of “wonder” status. You can book a great tour of the Argentina side HERE, and check out an offer from a Brazilian tour operator HERE.

Also on the, er, complete list is, um, is the Amazon Rainforest … the entire region, apparently. It spans nine countries and almost 2 billion acres. We’re sure it is “wonderful” but in terms of specific natural sites of interest across the globe, this one seems a bit of a stretch.

Halong Bay, Vietnam

That’s not to say it’s not worth exploring, though. You can book an adventurous tour near the headwaters in the Peruvian city of Iquitos. Of course, you’ll need to fly in or travel by boat to get there, as roads don’t reach this remote jungle outpost.

Rounding out the new list are some pretty amazing places in and of themselves: Halong Bay, Vietnam; Jeju Island, Korea; Komodo, Indonesia; Puerto Princesa Underground River, Philippines; and Table Mountain, South Africa.

Conspicuously absent? The Grand Canyon. And the Dead Sea. Mount Everest, anyone? Great Barrier Reef, perhaps?

We’re sure you have your own favorite places that could be on the list, which further demonstrates how nearly impossible the task is of narrowing the planet’s great treasures into short lists.

Instead, UNESCO has compiled a comprehensive list of world sites deemed to have “outstanding universal value.” You can find it HERE. We suggest checking out as many of these as you can during the course of your travels. And not limit yourself to some small, arbitrary number.

Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil: Located in northern Brazil, this park is a bit out of the way but well worth the trip just to make your friends incredibly jealous with your amazing photos. Drive through fields of white sand dunes that will beg you to jump and tumble down them before landing in nearby aqua blue lagoons. Heaven.

El Chaltén, Argentina: While the majority of Argentine Patagonia is flat grasslands, in El Chaltén incredible mountains suddenly puncture the horizon like a ferocious puma´s two front teeth. The sheer vision of these granite giants will knock you off your feet.  So lace up your hiking boots and let yourself be awed by Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre.

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia: This space is nothing but 4,000 square miles of cracked salt desert sprinkled with the occasional dormant volcano, reflecting lakes and light pink flamingos. The immense flatness of this blindingly white salt field will make you think deep thoughts while traveling in the standard South American adventure vehicle, the Toyota 4Runner.

Parque Tyrona National Park, Colombia: Stretches of white sand beaches, palm trees, and cloud forests make this the most desirable stretch of Caribbean coastline in Colombia. Trek through the tropical forest while listening to the deafening sounds of cicadas–and be sure not to step on the giant leafcutter ants that cross your bath. Once you reach the beach, sling your hammock and relax to the sounds of the sea. Ahhhh.

Buenos Aires, Argentina: Chances are you have already heard everyone else rave about the delicious meat, the flowing rivers of Malbec, tasty empanadas, attractive residents, gay-friendly vibe and the clubs that don´t open until 2am. So I guess the real question is: che, what are you waiting for?!

Machu Picchu, Peru: Would you like to visit an ancient city hidden on the top of a verdant mountain range where llamas roam freely? Um, yes please. Truth be told, everyone and their mother goes here. And you know why? Because it´s freaking amazing, that´s why.

The Amazon River: This great flowing soul of South America radiates from the center of the amazingly diverse continent to touch over nine countries. While the vast majority of the Amazon lies in Brazil, many visitors head to wild west frontier towns and eco-villages in Peru, Colombia or Ecuador to explore the jungle. Remember, rainforests have lots of animal life but also GIANT bugs. Pack smart.

Rio de Janiero, Brazil: A geographically breathtaking city, Rio offers visitors its beaches, limestone rock formations and absurdly friendly locals. Take a picture with the Jesus statue, go to a Brazilian soccer match, drink too many caipirinhas, dance any way you know how and then recover on the beaches of Ipanema with fresh coconut juice. Muito bom!

The Galápagos Islands, Ecuador: Darwin would be proud of these islands for maintaining their biological diversity with Jurassic Park-era wildlife. While a 200-year-old tortoise is not as intimidating as T-Rex, the spiny iguanas and giant sea lions may make you run for cover until you realize that they are absolutely oblivious to you.