Picture of the week

Capitolio- Havana (Cuba)

The bikes take New York

Ever wonder why New York does not have renting bikes in every corner like in London, Lille or Barcelona? Don't need to wonder anymore, City Bike has arrived.

From now on you can rent one of the over 6000 (so far) bicycles that are available for the public in over 300 stations over Manhattan and Brooklyn. 

Although the bikes are for rent from yesterday for members, it is only from 2nd June that the tourists can get them for short journeys. The price is quite ok, 9.95$ plus taxes for 24 hours (although in London the price is 2£) and you have to dock the bike at the station every 30 minutes to avoid paying a surcharge. 

New York has more than 400kms of bike lanes and over 300 green routes. These made it the perfect city to explore on two wheels. But please, take care when driving! 

Picture of the week

Royal Mile- Edinburgh (UK)

Picture of the week

Strasbourg (France)

Victoria Peak, see Hong Kong from a different perspective

Kowloon's bay

Victoria Peak or The Peak is a really interesting place to see Hong Kong from, it raises 552 metres, being the tallest peak in Hong Kong Island. Whether you decide to grab a cab, the tram or the local bus, the views from the road are spectacular and the vegetation extensive. It is funny to see among all that crystal and endless skyscrapers Hong Kongers have kept such a green place that remembers to a tropical garden (because the climate in Hong Kong is wonderful and extra warm). One of the reasons why this has remained untouched is, without a doubt, because building must be really difficult in highlands. I have not doubt that having being easy, the population would have already tried .

The peak itself has nothing more and nothing less that stunning views of all the city (what your sight and a clear sky can reach in such huge city) and specially of Kowloon's Bay. You can also see the West Lamma Channel and Victoria Harbour. 

7 essential: warm clothes for a city in winter

Every time I travel I have to do a list of things to pack in case I need them. If I do not do it, at the end and keep forgetting something essential. 

Typical tourist you DON'T
like to look like

This week, with the cold going on on London I have seen many lost tourists with teeth chattering. Yes, it is really typical you come from the south of Greece thinking here is going to be just a little bit colder. A bit is too generous. This week it has been snowing and I can confirm out of experience that November to March are quite cold months. But I am not only referring to London, I am also referring to northern countries or even Eastern ones, where temperatures drop a lot. While you can't do anything to change the weather, you can do something to avoid leaving your Cracovian hotel with skirt, no tights and flip-flops in December (true story).

To be honest, I always feel cold in winter and, through the years, I have been discovering clothes that keep me warm. So here is a list of my mandatory items if you are planning a city tour in winter. Let's have in mind that although you are coming for some tourism, you do not have to wear neon lights on your face to prove it!

• Snoods: my more recent discovery. You can laugh if you want, but I feel not cold with them. Yeah, they can look like you are going for a snow trip but, does it really matter? Choose a thick or flurry one, they are the best. The good thing about this item is that they cover more area than the typical scarf and like the girl in the picture, you can even cover your head,  ears or even your nose. I have kept colds apart wearing this.
• Wool hats. A classic. Through the head you loose the most heat produced by the body. If you do not like them, at least get earmuffs (you get a lot of cold there).
• Boots. There is nothing better to keep you warm than waterproof boots.
• Trekking socks. Maybe you do not feel cold at the beginning of the day, but walking all the cobbled streets and being all day outdoors, will make your feet icy cold. And if they get cold, you are KO and wanting to go back to your hotel. At least this is what happens to me. I have some socks like the ones in the picture and they are the best of the best.
• Coat. Yes, you can have a jacket, but the coat covers much more (bum inclusive!), so is more practical. If the coat is waterproof, even better. 
• Gloves: hands and feet warm, always. 
• Optional: raincoat and a foldable umbrella. 

With all this you will feel warm and won't look like a tourist. 

Picture of the week

Malecón, Havana (Cuba)

A Coruña, a place to look forward to

Probably you have never heard of it. Or maybe yes, and you would give me a wonderful surprise :) but my city is just A-M-A-Z-I-N-G, one of the most beautiful places in the world. A Coruña is one of these places you have to visit and feel amazed by. I gave you already some tips of why you should visit Galicia and Coruña is one of its biggest cities. I just hope this video opens your eyes and you decide to visit my hometown.

Enjoy the video:

Trinidad, a colorful pearl in the Caribbean

Thinking about going to Cuba? You can't miss Trinidad, because it is one of these places that you will remember your whole life with a smile. Its colourful houses and cobblestone streets will make you fall in love and will allow you to spend your holidays in a unique environment not easy to find nowadays. Yes, Havana has colourful houses too, but it is not the same, believe me. So make your way to the central part of the island to see this jewel.

The city was founded in 1514 by a Basque (he even went on to be the governor of the island) under the name of Villa de la Santísima Trinidad. The best is that Trinidad remains almost untouched since his creation. So much so that in 1988 was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites' list for being one of the best kept colonial cities.

Markets: Marrakech (Morocco)

Marrakech postcards. I am obsessed with markets, food stands and shops. I loved Marrakesh's ones!

some coconut, pineapple?

Coca-Cola everywhere

our dinner was full of seafood, meat and vegetables

Photos: Raquel Ritz ©

Panoramas from the air

A few days ago I discovered this wonderful website that allows you to see some parts of the world like if you were right there.

In this occasion I went to New York (like if I was visiting) and I started clicking in all the arrows and move up and down, right to left... until I got sick with so much movement.

Is it not cool being able to see New York like this? Central Park, Manhattan, Fifth Avenue... I leave you exploring a bit, I am enjoying myself.

Please press Read more to see the interactive video. It is not in the main page because there is audio and it's really annoying, For me too! You can silence it once you are on it. Do not miss it, because it is worth it.

Central Park- New York (USA)

You don't need to spend a lot of time on the park to realise why Newyorkers love their park. In a city full of skyscrapers, neons, long avenues, cars, taxis, noise, concrete and more concrete, having the luck of a green cosy and quiet area like Central Park, is a luxury.

When I say quiet I don't mean it's empty or boring. It's just the opposite. There are so many possible activities for kids, grown ups or pets... you won't get bored.

Unfortunately, I could not see the whole part, only a tenth part as I was travelling with people that have already been there and our agenda was quite strict. To be honest, I thought I would have time to go the following day again, but it was not possible. 48 hours are not enough. What a pity, I will have to come to New York again :)!

The park was finalished in 1873, following the idea of the big European parks like Hyde Park in London or Bois de Boulogne in Paris, to provide Newyorkers with an open air and natural space, away from the noise and the concrete. Although this is not the biggest park in the States (843 acres), is the most visited, 25 million people each year, above The Grand Canyon.

Central Park (New York) maps

Top of The Rock- New York (USA)

Up there is Top of the Rock!

There are many places in New York from where you can see the skyscrapers from above. You can have a cocktail in one of the hundreds of roof bars in the coolest buildings, see them from your hotel or from one of the classic and massive steel giants. Top of the Rock at the  Rockefeller Center is one of them. Someone told me this, and not the Empire State, is the best place to see the city from the heights. But in my quick 48 hours visit there was no time for everything, so I will have to come back to be able to tell you.

Anyway, Rockefeller won't let you down. This is one of the busiest places in the city. Night and day. In fact, I could see for myself the extreme security, at the corner of the building where the Top of the Rock is, there was a policeman with the biggest gun I have ever seen. Bigger than in the movies, I mean. I tried to take a picture, but he was not keen of showing off and at the end I decided to give up as a picture is not as priceless.

As I was saying, all the area is quite busy. There are loads of people at the complex at night, enjoying the summer terraces, walking around or queueing to go to the top.

The entrance is where it says Observation Deck, 50th Street, next to Radio City Music Hall, other interesting place you might want to visit.