Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Day Trip to Cádiz from Seville

Day-trip-to-Cadiz from Seville

This post was written by Sivan, our Student Travel Expert!

Cádiz is a well-known beach town in Southern Spain. It’s a small city, but it is a big hub for cruise ships and other travelers. If you’re looking for a little getaway from Seville…

here are some ideas for a day trip to Cádiz from Seville!

train to cadiz spain

Getting to Cádiz

There are trains that run to and from Cádiz all day from different cities. I traveled there from Seville, and my train ride took about two hours.

If you’re traveling from farther away, the train between Barcelona and Cádiz takes about seven and half hours, while the train from Madrid takes about four hours. You can also fly into the Jerez Airport which is just about thirty minutes outside of Cádiz.

street in cadiz

ocean in cadiz

What to Do in Cádiz

Tavira Tower: This is the highest point in old-town Cádiz, and it has the best 360-degree view of the city. You can head up to the top for six euros per person, and for a bit extra, you can stick around to see images from the Camera Obscura. The Camera Obsucra projects real-time images from outside the tower on a screen in a dark room inside the tower. The attendants will let you know what time the next show starts so you can grab a seat.
Mercado Central: In every city I travel to, I love to find the biggest local market with the best vendors. Mercado Central is full of booths with local produce, including pork, cheese, fruit, and sweets.
You can also nibble on some hot dishes and sip on a beer at one of the tables in the center.
Parque Genoves: This beautiful park is perfect for a leisurely stroll or a picnic getaway from the city. Be sure to check out the botanical gardens, the cave, the lake, and the waterfall that are inside. Also keep your eyes open for all the species of birds!
Cádiz Cathedral: When you walk through the city, you can’t miss this iconic cathedral with its golden dome rooftop and beautiful architecture. Check out the inside of the cathedral for five euros or with a guided tour. You can also climb up the tower for another great view of the city.
The Beach: Cádiz has many beaches. They are all a bit different, but each one is an equally great choice for a relaxing few hours on the sand. The beaches there have actually won multiple awards for being the best in Europe.
La Caleta Beach: Located between two old castles, this is known as one of the most beautiful beaches in Cádiz.

Santa Maria Del Mar Beach: This is a great beach for families and bodyboarding.

La Victoria Beach: This is one of the most popular beaches (especially with the locals). It’s the closest one to shops, restaurants, and hotels.

casa manteca sign in cadiz

casa manteca menu in cadiz

Where to Eat in Cádiz

Cádiz is a pretty small city, and if you choose to skip visiting the beach, you can finish up most of the best activities in a short amount of time. To fill the rest of my time in the city, I decided to design my own food tour.

The traditional way to eat in Spain is to order tapas, which are small plates of food. Instead of ordering lots of tapas in one place, I ordered one or two plates in a bunch of different restaurants. Each of these places is within walking distance in the city. (And the walks make the perfect break in between all the indulgence!)

Casa Manteca: Start at this famous bar known for its traditional Spanish decor and very close quarters. You may have to elbow your way through to order, but it’s worth being a part of the bustling atmosphere. Order yourself a tinto de verano (the traditional drink of Southern Spain), and nibble on the classic tapa of cheese and ham.
Sopranis: Head to this trendy restaurant for a sit-down glass of wine and a diverse range of dishes. I had the salmon tartar with avocado, and it was delicious! Sitting outside on the side street is the perfect set up for people watching.
La Candela: You might have to look up from your Google Maps to find this hole-in–the-wall restaurant. When you do find it, you will walk into Spain’s version of boho-chic. The farm-to-table Spanish menu highlights the fresh ingredients in Cádiz. Start off with the cheese board where you get to choose from a selection (I recommend trying the truffle Gouda) and grab one more small item off the menu.
Balandro: When you see the ocean, you have found Balandro. This restaurant is known for its beautiful view and its fresh seafood. You can’t go wrong with any of the fish dishes or seafood pastas.
Dessert: A food tour is never over until you have had dessert! Cádiz is known for traditional little cookies, and there are bakeries all over the city. When you’re wandering around, pop into a bake shop to grab yourself a mix of almond cookies, chocolate-dipped shortbread, and jelly-filled pastries.

Cádiz shows off the best of the southern Spanish culture from the food to the religious history. Whether you are relaxing on the beach or touring the city, Cádiz makes for the perfect day trip from anywhere in Southern Spain!

Shop my favorite southern Spain style essentials!

Monday, October 30, 2017

Bucket List Experiences in Kenya

Bucket List Experiences to Have in Kenya

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Welcome to Kenya. From the gorgeous coast to the vast savannah, this East African country is an unforgettable escape. It’s one place in Africa you won’t want to miss; it is the ultimate safari destination and one of my new favorite corners of the world.

Here are my bucket list experiences in Kenya!

blonde at giraffe manor

Stay at Giraffe Manor

I’ve been to a lot of amazing boutique hotels around the world, but nothing compares to this place. With endangered giraffes roaming around the luxury, vintage property, Giraffe Manor has an otherworldly beauty.

Incredibly preserved and sitting on top of 140 acres of land, this place is like stepping into a dream.

Stay at Cottars 1920s Safari Camp

The first tented safari in Africa, this 1920s-inspired camp is at the heart of the Maasai community and has a stunning view of the Kenyan savannah. It’s the perfect base for exploring the vast Olderikesi Wildlife Conservancy and seeing local wildlife in their natural habitat.

Explore Nairobi

East Africa’s most cosmopolitan city, Kenya’s capital is an essential stop. The great museums, galleries, and markets of Nairobi will give you a fascinating glimpse into Kenyan culture.

It’s also where Kenya’s largest airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, is located, so it’s a good starting point.

See Flamingos at Lake Bogoria

Late autumn is far from the only time to visit Kenya. From August to early October, you’ll find an incredible gathering of flamingos at Lake Bogoria. If you’ve ever wanted to get started with drone photography, there is no better place to be.

Wild Buffalo in Kenya

Discover Serengeti National Park

Spanning from north Tanzania to southwestern Kenya, the Serengeti National Park is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa and the Ten Natural Travel Wonders of the World. It is home to the largest terrestrial mammal migration in the world, and this place will blow you away.

Helpful Tip: I recommend visiting Kenya between September and December for the Great Migration. Two million wildebeests, zebras, and antelopes migrate from Serengeti National Park to Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, and it’s one of the most breathtaking sights you’ll ever see.

mahali in kenya

Stay at Mahali Mzuri

Mahali Mzuri, Sir Richard Branson’s luxe camp nestled in the private Olare Motorogi Conservancy, was named the “favorite safari camp” by Condé Nast Traveler, and it’s easy to see why. The sights and sounds of the African bush will make you never want to leave Kenya.

Adventure in Hell’s Gate National Park

Part of the Great Rift Valley, Hell’s Gate National Park is named after the intense geothermal activity that takes place inside the park. With towering cliffs and dramatic volcanoes, this is the place for mountain biking, rock climbing, visiting a natural spa, and (of course!) finding beautiful photo ops.

Local Maasai Mara children

Visit a Maasai Village

One of the highlights of my experience in Kenya was visiting the local Maasai community. Its culture is so interesting and open. I had the opportunity to interact with the native people and hear their remarkable stories. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that opened my eyes up to another world.

Helicopter Over Mount Kenya at Sunrise

The highest peak in Africa after Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya is one of the country’s most remarkable sights. It overlooks Lake Michaelson and has snowy peaks reaching up to 17,057 feet. There’s no view like a helicopter view!

If you have more time, visit some of the treks going up Mount Kenya; they are truly epic. You can climb to the highest peaks or just hike for a couple days to take in the cliffs, valleys, and savannah surrounding Mount Kenya.

(source)

Take a Beach Day

Kenya isn’t known for its beaches, but it should be! Watamu and Turtle Bay have flawless white-sand beaches, while the nearby water has fantastic reefs that make it a dream for diving and snorkeling.

Another dream snorkeling locale, Tiwi Beach has captivating coral right off of the beach. It’s often overlooked for the famous nearby Diani Beach, which means that you’ll have the whole place to yourself for the perfect beach day.

Shop my Kenya travel essentials!

Sunday, October 29, 2017

Lightroom Presets x The Blonde Abroad

The Blonde Abroad Complete Collection Lightroom Presets

Want to know the secret behind all those beautiful images you see on Instagram? You may be surprised to learn that it’s not all about being a great photographer — the magic is in the edit!

Since launching The Blonde Abroad in 2012, most of my travels have been solo. That means handing my camera off to whoever is nearby or using my tripod, and so I’ve had to get creative over the years, which meant developing my own style of editing in Lightroom.

I love sharing my travel experiences and telling stories through my photography, and that’s why this is so exciting for me to finally share. After countless emails and messages with questions on how I edit my photos, I’m excited to finally share my Lightroom Presets with you!

I’ve put together five different collections with the same presets I use on my own photos throughout my travels.

Check out The Blonde Abroad Lightroom Presets below!

The Fire & Ice Collection

Inspired by my travels through Iceland, this collection is all about dreamy green fjords, moody blue lagoons and the dramatic contrasts of black sand and white glaciers.

Here are some of my favorite presets from the collection!

Check Out All 8 Custom Presets in The Fire & Ice Collection Now!

Shop Collection

The Jungle Vibes Collection

Inspired by my travels through Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Hawaii and The Maldives, this collection of 8 presets is all about lush landscapes, tropical blues, waterfalls and sunsets.

Here are some of my favorite presets from the collection!

BEFORE J1 Into the Jungle Lightroom Presets

BEFORE J4 Into the Jungle Lightroom Presets

BEFORE J6 Into the Jungle Lightroom Presets

BEFORE J7 Into the Jungle Lightroom Presets

Check Out All 8 Custom Presets in The Jungles Vibes Collection Now!

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The Moroccan Oasis Collection

Inspired by my travels through Morocco, this collection is all about hot sand, intricate details and beautiful pools.

Here are some of my favorite presets from the collection!

BEFORE M1 Moroccan Oasis Lightroom Presets

BEFORE M2 Moroccan Oasis Lightroom Presets

BEFORE M5 Moroccan Oasis Lightroom Presets

BEFORE M8 Moroccan Oasis Lightroom Presets

Check Out All 8 Custom Presets in The Moroccan Oasis Collection Now!

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The Tropical Escape Collection

Inspired by my travels through French Polynesia, Panama, The Maldives, Indonesia and The Seychelles, this collection is all about turquoise water, white sand and dreamy tropical settings.

Here are some of my favorite presets from the collection!

BEFORE T3 Tropical Escape Lightroom Presets

BEFORE T4 Tropical Escape Lightroom Presets

BEFORE T5 Tropical Escape Lightroom Presets

BEFORE T7 Tropical Escape Lightroom Presets

Check Out All 8 Custom Presets in The Tropical Escape Collection Now!

Shop Collection

The Into the Wild Collection

Inspired by my travels around the incredibly diverse continent of Africa, this collection is all about epic landscapes, exotic animals and vintage safari vibes.