Traveler

MARCH 2017| ISSUE NO. 6

TRAVELER

5 PLACES TO TRAVEL

TURKEY SWEDEN BELIZE

SWEDEN Want to experience the beautiful scenery, award winning hotels and pure white beaches? There are lots of nice places to visit in Sweden and the country can many times offer the very best holiday.

Five places to visit in Sweden The west coast West Coast - specifically the part of Sweden's west coast that stretches from Gothenburg archipelago up to Norway - is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places. The cold salt water and jellyfish may deter some swimmers, but rocks, small towns, boathouses, the food, the sea air and the unbroken horizon are just some of the reasons why everyone should visit the West Coast.

Vasa museum The Vasa ship capsized and sank in Stockholm 1628. After 333 years on the sea bed the mighty warship was salvaged and the voyage could continue. Today Vasa is the world's only preserved 17th century ship and the most visited museum in Scandinavia.

Experience the northern lights in Jokkmokk Tourists traveling halfway around the world to see the light phenomenon, whose Latin name means aurora or northern dawn. Black Brook days as especially around midnight, lit by meandering green yellow ribbons and sparkling white snow that reflects light.

Gotland Gotland, one of Sweden’s two Islands, with the beautiful residential city of Visby is probably one of Sweden's most popular holiday destination. Thanks to its isolated location and its limestone ground of Gotland, a nature that is different from the rest of Sweden. ​Cykla längs kusten och gör många pauser för att ta ett dopp i Östersjön eller äta lokal gotländsk mat. ​This is particularly evident along the coasts, where long sandy beaches, sea stacks and an (almost) constantly shining sun.

Top 5 foods to try in Sweden Kanelbulle If Sweden had a national food, it would without a doubt be the cinnamon bun. It’s hard to avoid these delicious spiced rolls, which can be found in every café, bakery and food shop around the country - simply follow the scent of them baking! Made ​ from lightly sweetened, leavened bread dough known as ​vetebröd (wheat bread)

Toast Skagen Sweden’s more luxurious version of a prawn cocktail is made with peeled prawns, mixed with mayonnaise, dill and lemon topped with fish roe and served on crisp,

sautéed bread.

Herring The Baltic and North Atlantic are awash with shoals of herring and Swedes are pros at cooking, pickling and smoking these small but flavorsome fish. The fish have two names in Swedish- ​sill, for the slightly larger fish found off the west coast, and ​strömming for the herring from the Baltic. Strömming is often enjoyed breaded and fried while sil is frequently pickled, in a variety of marinades and sauces.

Meatballs with cream sauce The traditional way to eat Swedish meatballs is with brown cream sauce, lingonberries, pickled cucumber, and mashed potatoes. And the smaller the meatball, the fancier it is.

Raggmunk (potato pancake Raggmunk is the name for a Swedish potato pancake. The pancakes are fried in butter and served with fried pork and lingonberries.

What to pack Sweden is a very popular vacation spot for tourists and sightseers. However, it’s important to pack the right equipment to anticipate the differences in climate and temperature If you’re traveling during the winter, you’ll need a big furry hat and gloves.

Temperatures can reach below 20 degrees Celsius, so be sure to use plenty of layers. Stockholm is cold just about all the time. No matter the season, always bring a jacket or sweater. You should certainly consider thermals, stout waterproof boots preferably with thermal insoles, and a fleece mountain coat.

Electrical outlets The electrical outlets are slightly different in Sweden. Bring a universal adapter so you can recharge your phone and other electronics.

Swedish coins Coins can be surprisingly handy. Many public bathrooms will not take bills or credit cards. Keep a few of several denominations even at airports because the toilets here require a fee to enter.

TURKEY When time is short and at a premium, you can see all of ​Istanbul's​ ​top sights ​in​ 2 or 3 days​, then take a one-day or overnight ​excursions​ to another Turkish destination. (See also my Istanbul Weekend page.)

To make the most of your time, your visit must be very efficiently planned—especially ​transportation​. You should seriously consider joining a value-for-money ​guided tour​and/or having one of my ​recommended Turkish travel agencies​ help you to make your travel arrangements.

You must also consider seeing the sights with a recommended​ Licensed Private Guide ​so you don't get lost in this confusing city, and you don't have to wait in ticket lines (guides are allowed to jump the lines). When your time is short, their expertise and help are all the more valuable.

A ​Istanbul Museum Pass​ can save you time as well as money.

Here are possibile plans for 2 to 5 days in Turkey:

Day 1 Ottoman Istanbul

Topkapı Palace (9-5, closed Tuesday; stay 2-3 hr). Get there at 8:45 am and go straight to the ​Harem​, which gets overcrowded.

Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia) (9-4, closed Monday; stay 1 hr). Right next to Topkapı. Don't miss the ​mosaics​ on the upper level.

Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii) (stay 1/2 hr). Just across the park from Ayasofya, on the ​Hippodrome​. The mosque is closed to visitors for 25 minutes after each ​call to prayer​, and for much of the day on Friday. ​Here's mosque-visit etiquette.

Byzantine Hippodrome (​At Meydanı, ​stay 1/2 hr). Enjoy the monuments in the park: Egyptian Obelisk of Theodosius, Kaiser Wilhelm II Fountain, serpents' column and more.

Museum of Turkish & Islamic Art (9-5, closed Monday; stay 1-2 hr). Right on the Hippodrome across from the Blue Mosque, this is a treasurehouse of Anatolian art.

Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıçı) (9-5; stay 1/2 hr). At the NE end of the Hippodrome beneath the little park.

Turkish Bath ​(Hamam) A ​Turkish bath​ (1-3 hr) can be amazingly refreshing after a long day. If not today, then later.

Chora Church (Kariye Museum)

(9-4, closed Wednesday; stay 1-2 hrs). Come for the brilliant gold 14th-century ​Byzantine​ mosaics​ that cover the ceiling and walls. Nearby is ​Tekfur Saray​, Istanbul's only extant ​Byzantine​ palace​, built into the huge 4th-century ​city walls​. Take a bus or taxi back to ​Beyazıt Square​ and the Grand Bazaar. (If you're on the ​tour​, you'll go on to ​Eyüp​, the ​Pierre Loti café​, and the ​Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarchate​. ​)

Day 2 Byzantine Constantinople Divan Yolu (1-hr ​walking tour​) Walk from the ​Hippodrome​ uphill along this historic boulevard, the ancient Roman ​Mese,​ to see the tombs of the ​Ottoman​ sultans, other ​Ottoman​ buildings, and ​Çemberlitaş​ (Forum of Constantine) to ​Beyazıt Square​(Forum of Theodosius) and ​Istanbul University​. Take a bus or taxi to Edirnekapı and the Chora Church (Kariye Museum) or, better yet, make the most of your time and avoid hassles by joining a convenient, value-for-money​guided tour​ that takes you to a number of hard-to-reach sites.

Egyptian (Spice) Bazaar (9-5, open every day; stay 1/2 to 1 hr) Right next to the southern end of the ​Galata Bridge​, it's much smaller than the Grand Bazaar​, but the surrounding district is full of other shops selling food, clothing, kitchen utensils, etc. The tram​will take you right back to ​Sultanahmet​.

An alternative: combine a ​Bosphorus Cruise​ with a visit to the Spice Bazaar and gem-like ​Rüstem Pasha Mosque on a ​guided walking tour.

Grand Bazaar

(9-5, closed Sunday; stay 1-2 hrs, longer if you're really shopping). With its ​4000 shops​, it has something you want!

Finding it is great fun. Have​ lunch​ at one of the little ​restaurants right in the bazaar.​ When you're done, ​walk downhill along Long-Market Street​ or take a ​tram​ or ​taxi​ to ​Eminönü​ and the Egyptian (Spice) Bazaar. ​More...

Day 3 19th-Century Istanbul: Beyoğlu

Galata Bridge (stay 1/2 hr) Start at the bridge over the ​Golden Horn​ which links ​Old Istanbul​ and ​Beyoğlu​. Take in the view, then walk north through ​Karaköy​ (Galata) and uphill to...

Galata Tower (9-7, discount on Monday; stay 1/2 to 1 hr) Best views of the city from this Genoese cone-topped stone tower.

Continue uphill to ​Tünel Square​ and...

İstiklal Caddesi (Grande Rue de Péra; 1-2 hr walking tour) Lots to see along the main boulevard of 19th-century Istanbul: a ​whirling dervish hall​, grand old embassy buildings, the ​Pera Palace Hotel​, ​Galatasaray Square​, and lots of ​boutiques​. Plenty of ​restaurants​ for lunch.

Taksim Square From this hub of modern Istanbul, go downhill to ​Dolmabahçe Palace​ or north to the ​Military Museum​.

Dolmabahçe Palace (9-4, closed Monday and Thursday; stay 1-2 hrs) With a façade almost 400 meters (1/4 mile) long, this is the mother of all ​Ottoman​ palaces, and a must-see if you're into magnificence.

Military Museum (9-5, closed Monday & Tuesday; stay 1-2 hr) North of Taksim along ​Cumhuriyet Caddesi ​past the ​Istanbul Hilton, the museum chronicles 1000 years of Turkish military history—quite fascinating. At 3 and 4 pm you can hear the Ottoman​ ​Mehter​, the world's original ​military band​, in costume with period instruments.

BELIZE

Know before you go Most people don’t need visas to enter Belize. All that is needed is a passport that is valid for more than 6 months.

Cost Traveling on a shoestring budget is possible, but compared to other countries in Central America, things are a bit more expensive.

Expect to pay $15 USD at inland hotels and $20 or $25 on the islands.

A good plate of food will cost you an average of $5 USD per meal if you avoid fancy restaurants.

As for drinks, beers are $1.50 USD at the store and $2.50 at bars. Rum is the best way to go because it’s a lot cheaper. Happy hour is a good way to get cheap drinks and most bars do it from 3PM to 6PM. If you like beach bars, here are my top five in the country.

Tours and park entrance fees are what usually eat up the most of your money. The positive aspect is that you’re supporting sustainable and responsible tourism. Save on tours by doing self-guided visits to Maya Ruins and there are always free things to do such as hiking, swimming in the sea or river and exploring local markets. A useful tip to get access to “cool stuff” is to befriend locals.

Where to go in Belize Ambergris Caye Ambergris Caye is Belize’s largest island and the most popular destination in Belize. The island maintains its very low-key, laid-back vibe, earning it a devout following of regular travelers who return again and again, and in some cases, just never leave. As Belize is an English-speaking country, you will find a large number of expats who made the place their permanent home after falling in love with the island.

Cayo The Cayo District is probably the number one stop for travelers looking to spend a few days on Belize’s mainland. It’s wealth of natural attractions, concentration of Mayan history sites, and its excellent display of local cuisine have earned Cayo the distinction of being known as the cultural heart of Belize.

Belize City Belize City acts as the main gateway to the country of Belize. If you decide to spend a day and explore the old capital, don’t forget to check out all the historical sites and nearby attractions such as the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary and the Belize Zoo. Belize City is home to the largest concentration of large hotels, conference facilities, and even the only cruise ship terminal.

What to pack for a week or two in Belize

Placenia Placencia is quickly growing and becoming one of the more popular spots for travelers wanting a coastal spot on Belize’s mainland. Once a sleepy village, the peninsula is now home to some of the most luxurious resorts in the country. Fortunately, its growth spurt has not affected its quiet charm and Placencia village remains a quiet getaway spot where golf carts are still a popular mode of transportation.

Clothes Regular T-shirts and a couple long sleeved T-shirts for sunburn protection and jungle hiking. A couple dress shirts or blouses.

Shorts or skirts, preferably cotton – remember you’re in the tropics.

Beachwear/ swimsuits. Women, a sarong is multipurpose and very handy.

Two pairs of long pants. Something dressy and something for the jungle.

Underwear Comfortable socks – nothing too thick.

A light-weight jacket or raincoat. Something waterproof that will keep you dry and warm if the temperature drops.

A hat to cover your face from the sun. A baseball cap or some other type of hat.

Shoes Hiking or walking shoes One or two beach sandals/ flip-flops Toiletries Razor Toothbrush and toothpaste.

Shampoo and body soap if you don’t want to use the one provided by hotels.

Brush or comb.

Deodorant and antiperspirant Beach towels (I prefer to buy mines at destinations) Cosmetics and other personal items such as body lotion, antibacterial wipes, etc.

Books and documents A good guidebook – perfect for planning specialty trips i.e. birding.

Reading materials to use during transit.

A passport that will not expire in the next six months. Have photocopies (paper and digital).

Identification cards (drivers licence) and insurance card with emergency contact information.

Have photocopies (paper and digital).

Most credit and debit cards are accepted in Belize and there are Banks/ ATMs at most towns.

Only carry small amounts of cash for street-food, bus/ taxi fare and tipping.

Health products If you wear prescription glasses, pack a spare pair.

Contact lenses and cleaning solutions. Eye drops?

Important medicines and vitamins or doctor prescriptions.

A small travellers first aid kit Insect repellant – you will need copious amounts for jungle hikes.

Sunblock is your friend. Choose one that is highly water resistant and reef friendly.

Miscellaneous items

Ziplock bags A small flashlight Binoculars for birding Pocket knife Laptop or tablet Cell phone – If you have a good international roaming plan or just to take Instagram photos Daypack for daily activities is useful Don’t forget the chargers for all your electronics Head phones for flight time Healthy snacks Addresses of family and friends for sending postcards or emergency contacts.