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DO I HAVE A STORY FOR YOU
Note: There will be no newsletter next week due to an island trip to Greece. Here’s to no wi-fi!
Remind me to give you the specifics one day, but heed this life altering advice: do not, I repeat, do not, get the less expensive massage at a Hungarian bath house (= big burly Hungarians + middle of a big hall + and nothing left to the imagination). So imagine that. Or not. Really up to you. Having said that, after a nice day of Budapest exploring or other Hungarian adventures, stop by one of these baths and soak it all in. Afar has some pointers for you: “This plunge primer will dampen your fears about coed nudity, tipping, and mean masseuses. For some, the mere mention of Budapest evokes images of steamy, tiled pools, tough-love masseuses, and lots of exposed skin. This is the City of Baths after all, and the 123 geothermal springs bubbling in caves under its hills and vales have soothed and healed locals, visitors, even invaders since the Romans settled here nearly 2,000 years ago.”
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MACHU PICH-U DON’T KNOW THIS PLACE
Everyone has heard of Machu Pichu. Almost everyone knows how crowded it has gotten (though initiatives are in place to control it). But, almost no one has heard of another ancient Andean City. This one in Colombia, dubbed the Lost City, La Ciudad Perdida, or originally, Teyuna: “Named Teyuna by the Tairona but dubbed Ciudad Perdida upon rediscovery, the ancient wonder is often compared to Machu Picchu as both are archaeological sites perched on hillsides and tucked into South American rainforests. However, Teyuna is more than 600 years older and, unlike its Peruvian counterpart, there are no trains or buses allowing for easy travels to reach its ruins. The only way to witness its beauty firsthand is on foot: a grueling multiday hike.” Oh right, forgot to mention it may be a bit of a trek to get there, so even better!
I’m not advocating to skip Machu Pichu altogether, just to be weary of the crowds and respectful of its environment and peoples. So, if you were to decide to make machu Pichu and Peru, generally, a trip of a lifetime, why not do it with a loved one, in a romantic train journey on the Andean Explorer. From Departures: “So imagine being whisked through the dramatic Andean plains of Peru, all the way from Cusco to Arequipa, aboard the aptly-named luxury Belmond Andean Explorer. On this iconic train, accommodations are opulent––a veritable moving sanctuary––and the views are transfixing. On board, guests will find spacious carriages, locally-sourced Peruvian cuisine, an indulgent spa, alpaca wool blankets––and that’s just inside. What lies outside the train’s carriages is one of South America’s most breathtaking landscapes, and experiencing it from the luxe atmosphere of the Belmond (multiple journeys available) will yield an experience worth planning a trip around.”
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ITTOQQORTOORMIIT (THIS IS A REAL PLACE)
If you have not yet planned a summer getaway and are thinking you want to do something adventurous that few people have done or will ever do, why don’t you consider some of the destinations CN Traveler has kindly amassed for us in this 10 Remote Places Few Travelers Have Ever Seen: “Located on the eastern coast of Greenland, the small town of Ittoqqortoormiit might be one of the most remote inhabited areas of Greenland – as if the island wasn’t remote enough in and of itself. When the weather isn’t too unbearably cold, the town’s population of 450 is known to embark on dog-sledding treks, as well as offer camping trips for visitors. If you do happen to reach Ittoqqortoormiit, you may also be rewarded with views of the Northern Lights during the winter months.” Also, you get 10 life points for knowing how to pronounce Ittoqqortoormiit.
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FREE SOLO
Traveling alone doesn’t sound intriguing to some, but, I urge everyone to try it at least once in a lifetime. It’s revelatory – the amount of things you learn about yourself is outstanding. Most of the time it’s like meeting someone you actually sorta like. With that, my trusted sources at Outside Magazine have put together a list of golden rules for solo traveling: “Conducting a bit of advance research on stuff you’d like to do and see at your destination will mean you won’t miss out on the important bits. However, don’t book out every minute of every day. You want to allow room for spontaneous outings, plus you won’t exhaust yourself by trying to do everything.”
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JOSHIN’ AROUND
I recently had an opportunity to listen to a dear friend, dare I say long lost cousin, speak on the topic of rage. He’s a therapist in NYC that is helping people in amazing ways (if you’ve ever been curious as to what happens in a therapy session, check out his podcast – fascinating). At first glance, you may think this topic does not pertain to travel, adventure or culture, but, in many ways it definitely does. Traveling enables us to open the mind and in so doing, exploring the non-physical as much as the physical, including deep dark corners that may house some remnants of rage – rage around childhood memories, relationships, fears and more. Check out the talk he holds with us at the iconic Strand bookstore in the city.
Thanks,
Joe Naaman
Managing Editor, Waywinds
Keep Exploring!