The West Coast of the United States is a popular road trip destination among tourists and locals. Driving from South to North (or vice versa) will offer spectacular views, amazing national parks and vibrant cities. From Los Angeles to San Francisco you’ll either drive along the scenic and legendarily Highway 1, or along the faster inland route Highway 101. One of California’s most beautiful cities lies along the way: Santa Barbara.

It’s not for nothing that Santa Barbara is a fancied wedding destination and a popular weekend getaway for towners. There are plenty of reasons: the superb location along the ocean, the beautiful beaches of its surroundings, the European-Mediterranean architecture and of course the hiking trails. Santa Barbara offers some of the best day-hikes in California.

Beach Hikes In Santa Barbara.

A hike along Santa Barbara’s beautiful coastline is a must. Clifftop trails offer breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Harbor seals are a common sight and if you’re lucky, dolphins and even whales can be seen not far from shore. Some of the hikes are along the beach while others are on the top of beachside bluffs. Watch out for high tide through, because some of the beach trails can be inaccessible or your return trip can be cutoff during high tide.

Santa Barbara has some amazing beached along the Central California coastline with a Mediterranean feel.

The Golden State is the perfect getaway spot.

Watching the surfers while walking along the coastline of Santa Barbara can be really relaxing.

Mountain Hikes In Santa Barbara.

Just behind Santa Barbara County lie the beautiful Santa Ynez Mountains. This range forms a stunning green backdrop for the American Riviera as Santa Barbara is often referred to. There are many trails along these mountains, visiting quiet canyons & waterfalls, and several tranquil overlooks with stunning ocean views. Keep an eye out for poison oak and bring plenty of water!

An early morning hike in the mountains of Santa Barbara County is strongly recommended to soak up the atmosphere and to recharge your batteries.

Whether you’re experienced, or prefer shorter walks, Santa Barbara offers hikes for every fitness level.

Longing For Sun-Rays.

Springtime, longing for sun-rays and a long weekend at the beginning of May meant that we needed to fly somewhere South. Trapani in Sicily made the cut.

Unless you fly with a European budget airline, getting to Sicily from Vienna is impossible without a stop-over in Rome. But since Bratislava is less than an hour away from our capital city, we booked a Ryan Air flight from here directly to Trapani. Less than two hours after take off, we landed smoothly on the west coast of Sicily.

Ciao Regione Siciliana.

A short walk around the area after checking into the apartment and a glass of red wine at one of the open bars brought the real holiday feeling, which was exactly what we were after.

Trapani begins where the sea ends. The city is an important fishing port, being set on a low peninsula stretching in an arc. The fish market is one of the top spots in the city and the place where the people of Trapani meet every morning. You’ll find all sorts of fresh fish here, from tuna (the largest tuna fishery in Sicily is here), swordfish, shrimps, sardines, squids to other sea creatures. Since we had an apartment with a nice kitchen, it was clear that one of these fresh fish would land on our dinner plate. You really can’t visit Trapani without trying the local cuisine. It’s influenced by Trapani’s role as a marine town, therefore menus are dominated by fish, especially recipes including tuna, which is prepared in many different ways: fried, grilled, baked, boiled or used in the preparation for sauces.

Gateway to the Aegadian Islands.

Apart from the salt and fish production, Trapani is also the main gateway to the nearby Aegadian Islands. We took the Hydrofoil to Favignana, the largest of three islands. This fairly easy access hasn’t spoiled the island (yet), because it’s a pretty low-key destination. Visitors are mostly Italians.

Upon arrival, we were greeted with the lovely smell of flowers. The entire vegetation was blooming this time of the year and the scent of lavender, thyme and many other flowers will accompany you throughout your stay here.

Travellers who come here are happy to fit in with the leisurely island way of life. Simply rent a scooter and you’re good to go. Small bars and typical Italian restaurants are the perfect spot to stop by after a long day out in the sun. One of the charms of this island is that it has never been populated with villas, nor frequented by high society, so compared to the crowded tourist island of Capri for example, Favignana has a refreshing simple authenticity.

Locking the harbour where Peter III of Aragon landed in 1282, Trapani still gives the impression of simple Sicilian authenticity. .

When walking along the Admiral Stati in Trapani, you will notice the ancient castle “Castello della Colombaia”. Hannibal’s father, built the tower around 260 B.C. called “Peliade” at the same spot where the castle lies today.

The fish at Trapani’s fish market is as fresh as you can get it. We highly enjoyed watching the locals barter for their fish and visit with each other during this morning ritual.

The real action happens at around 5.00am in the morning when the fisherman come in with their catch, while most of the locals go and do their shopping after 8.00am.

The fish market in Trapani has all kinds of shellfish and other sea creatures besides just fish.

Trapani’s fish market is colourful and noisy and a great possibility to get to know a bit of Trapani’s daily life. You will get to see some really bizarre fish – and also human – examples.

Favignana is a great place to absorb the islands idyllic atmosphere.

Even though life on the island of Favignana, the younger generation knows how to have fun – here in a cute little Piaggio.

Cala Rossa beach on Favignana island lies a pretty bay with turquoise sea and is one of the most visited beaches of the island.

It’s quite a scramble to get down the rocks of Cala Rossa beach, but determined holiday-makers don’t this obstacle keep them from it.

For all those who want to hold on to summer a little longer – which includes us of course, a short trip to the Costa del Sol in the South of Spain is the perfect getaway; if you’re looking for nice weather, beautiful beaches, rich culture, fantastic sights, as well as affordable flights, the area around Málaga is just the right spot for a cheap holiday.

The city of Málaga from above.

Málaga has earned a reputation that makes is extremely popular with visitors. Flights are not too expensive from all over Europe, hotels & apartments are widely available, the beaches are well worth travelling there, the water is clear & refreshing and many of the activities & sights in and around the city are free of charge or low cost.

The climate in Andalusia is simply amazing, with temperatures in the high twenties to high thirties Centigrade in the summer months. This is just one of the many reason why we’ve been travelling to Carvajal, which is just outside of Málaga between Torremolinos and Fuengirola, for the last couple of years at the end of August or beginning of September. Staying outside of Málaga simply has to do with the fact that the beaches aren’t too crowded and we came across a very lovely apartment when we first searched for a place to stay at. Plus it only takes about 20 minutes by the Renfe train to the city centre.

The beach along the Costa del Sol in Spain.

Our core activities mostly vary from sunbathing to zipping Sangria, yet there are plenty of things to do both at day and night (among the most popular are for example a day trip to the world-famous Alhambra in Granada or a visit to the Picasso Home Museum), so every kind of traveller should find what they’re looking for.

The Alhambra in Granada, Spain.

Venice is just around the corner from the Austrian border, so a weekend away can easily be arranged. Yet there’s no need to live near by – just hope onto a plane or train and head on a lovely weekend trip to the “City of Canals”. We did exactly that last fall during Aqua Alta.

We’re not the planning kind of people; of course there are certain sights one has to see in every city, but we usually just go with the flow. This way, you’ll visit places you’d never come across in the first place. Plus it’s much more hassle free. In Venice, there are lots of sights that shouldn’t be missed. Naturally, a 48-hour holiday isn’t enough to do it all, but definitely enough to get the full on Venice experience.

Day 1 – By Foot.

Piazza San Marco & La basilica di San Marco.

No surprise here. These two sights are probably the most well known in Venice. The Piazza San Marco is not only impressive due to its size, but also because of the adjoining landmarks like Doge’s Palace or St Mark’s Campanile. Saint Mark’s Basilica is the most famous church in Venice, one of the great examples of Byzantine architecture and well worth a visit. But, be sure to calculate enough time, because crowds of people will want to enter the Basilica as well.

Basilica San Marco in Venice is the most famous of the city’s churches and one of the best known examples of Italo-Byzantine architecture.

Ponte dei Sospiri.

Commonly known as the “Bridge of Sighs”, it lies between the Doge’s Palace with the New Prison. Not a romantic sight one might think, yet a local legend says that lovers will be granted eternal love and bliss if they kiss on a gondola at sunset under the bridge.

Ponte dei Sospiri “Bridge of Sights” in Venice connects the New Prison to the interrogation rooms in the Doge’s Palace.

The Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo.

The Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo is a small palace near the Rialto bridge, which we actually just came across by accident (see, no planning does work). It’s hard to find but definitely worth the effort. The palace itself is nothing special from the outside, yet it’s best known for the spiral staircase & white arches in the inner courtyard, known as the Scala Contarini del Bovolo (which somehow reminded us of the Leaning Tower of Pisa). From up the staircase, you have a really nice panoramic view over the roof-tops of the city.

Scala Contarini del Bovolo in Venice is best known for the external spiral staircase, with a plethora of arches.

Rialto Bridge.

The Rialto Bridge is the oldest of the four bridges across the Grand Canal. It’s definitely one of the sights you should see at least once in your live, yet unfortunately it’s totally overrun by tourists and vendors who just want to make a quick dollar. Still, it’s an impressive structure and I hope that the government orders to restore it in the near future.

is the oldest bridge across the Grand Canal, and was the dividing line for the districts of San Marco and San Polo.

San Giorgio Maggiore.

This sight is for everyone who likes to see Venice from above. You’ll have a fantastic view over the lagoon and city, but be sure to get there earlier, because otherwise you might just have to wait for more than two hours to get up to the top.

Today, San Giorgio Maggiore is the headquarters of the Cini Foundation arts centre, known for its library and is also home to the Teatro Verde open-air theatre.

Day 2 – By Waterway.

A Kayak Ride through the canals.

In Venice boats mean more than cars, canals more than roads. The only way one can really say to have experienced the ‘real’ Venice, is to experience the city and the lagoon by boat, gondola or – even better – by kayak. It’s best to book the entire day to make the most out of the experience. But be sure about one thing: Try to find a private guide or a small group because some of your fellow accompanies might not be very experienced and this can really ruin your day.

A Kayak Ride through the canals of Venice, Italy.

Why eggs for Easter?

Well, first of all in the Middle Age, the egg where considered as liquid meat. But during Lent, Christians were (and still are?) not allowed to eat egg … but at the same time, the egg production b(l)ooms during this time of the year. So naturally all of these eggs had to be eaten and therefore the traditions with the Easter eggs emerged…

So anyway, I’m going to be honest … I’m not the biggest fan of all these religious holidays (yet I do enjoy a long weekend) but I still would like to wish everyone a happy Easter! Hopefully you’re enjoying Easter Sunday with family or friends … and if not (because you’re travelling or whatever), I simply wish you a great weekend :)

I tried to spend my time wisely, and I think I managed all right: I tough about a way to get out of the daily 9 to 5 routine. It won’t take much longer, and then I’m off exploring foreign countries again. 2012 is going to be a good year – I can feel it. I usually don’t make any New Year’s resolutions but this year is different: In 2012, I want to quit my job (due to money issues, this part has to wait until mid 2013), travel, shoot tons of photos & start our project “Make People See” and “Lets Travel Somewhere”.

Until then, I enjoy watching inspiring movies (documentaries will be featured in another post) that bring out the wanderlust in me. And now I’d like to share these with you.

Happy New Year everyone!

North America:

• Into the Wild (United States)

• Frida (Mexico)

• The Shipping News (Newfoundland)

• Blue Crush (United States – Hawaii)

• Brokeback Mountain (United States)

• Six Days Seven Nights (United States – Hawaii)

South & Central America:

• The Mission (Brazil)

• The Motorcycle Diaries (Peru)

• The Art of Travel (Central America – Thanks Kaushal for the input)

• Love in the Time of Cholera (Columbia)

Europe:

• Under the Tuscan Sun (Italy)

• Death in Venice (Italy)

• Sound of Music (Austria)

• The Queen (Great Britain & Scotland)

• Vicky Christina Barcelona (Spain)

• A Good Year (France)

• Midnight in Paris (France)

• Braveheart (Scotland)

• Cairo Time (Egypt)

Africa:

• Gorillas in the Mist: The Story of Dian Fossey (Rwanda)

• Tears of the Sun (Nigeria)

• Out of Africa (Kenya)

• The English Patient (Tunisia)

Asia:

• The Beach (Thailand)

• The Painted Veil (China)

• Eat Pray Love (India, Indonesia)

• Das Dschungelkind (A German movie filmed in Papua New Guinea)

• Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (China)

• Seven Years in Tibet (Tibet)

• The Darjeeling Limited (India)

• Memoirs of a Geisha (Japan)

• Kundun (Tibet)

• The Last Samurai (Japan)

• Lawrence of Arabia (Thanks Ines for the input)

• The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (India)

• Salmon Fishing In The Yemen (Yemen & Scotland)

• The Children of Huang Shi (China)

Oceania:

• The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (New Zealand)

• Cast Away (Fiji)

And what are your favorite wanderlust movies?

We had a hotel right next to one of these nice beaches. Mornings and late afternoons were the right time to spot people on their way to work, school or home. The reason I wanted to post photos of these men & women is simple: they carry all the goods an their head! Balancing is a must, muscles a plus ;)

So here are a couple of shots:

Instead of a handbag, African women carry their goods on their heads.

Carrying firewood back home on Takoradi beach.

Two men on their way home.

Heavy stuff this man has to carry…

Children also help out their families.

Summer, sun, sunscreen and struggle.

If two people go on vacation together it can end badly. The more people travel together, the more problems they have in their suitcases. Leading the way are all the expectations. One should really think about whom to bring and whom to leave at home. The more the merrier? I don’t think so. Here are a few travel types, with I personally have had the pleasure of sharing a trip with.

The orderly person.

This person likes travelling in a group but at the same time visualizes everyone going the “crocodile style”. Rules and perfect time management are a high priority. There is no such thing as “meaning” or “understanding” for individualists. As warden he represents cultivated boredom. If travelling by bus, be sure to sit on your same seat for the rest of the trip. On the contrary – you will always be on time for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The success-oriented person.

Life is a competition all the time. He knows what’s going on in his job and this is also the case when he’s on vacation.  Unable to disconnect for even a minute, he also always needs a new challenge. In between climbing a higher mountain he’ll ring the office to check if everything is ok. Relaxing? No way!

The sightseeing person.

Rome. How many churches are there? Definitely not enough for this traveller; running from one landmark to the next without a single break. Bring good shoes because this one is a runner. If you’re travelling with this fella’ you really ought to think about your friendship before. Be sure that you’re on the same level; otherwise the trip can end just before it started.

The conflict avoidance person.

Peace and fellowship. We all love & care for each other. This one doesn’t like to say no, unless someone wants to start an argument. He tries to avoid any kind of conflict, even though he might throw himself off a cliff. He’s in a boat with everyone – also if it sinks because of this. His only concern is that he doesn’t want to burden anyone.

My tip.

Well, by now you should know that travelling with other people isn’t always easy. As I said, make sure you’re on the same level before you board the plane. This can save everyone a lot of time, money and nerves!

Now tell me, what kind of traveller are you?

To be on top of things.

Heavy or bulky tools should always be at the bottom. The bottom (with for example a classic hard protective case) is the place which lies the lowest as soon as you slide the trolley. Stuff your cosmetic bag next to the shoes. Don’t forget to close all your lotions, shampoos etc. with a tight screw-cap. The first aid kit (size varies on the area you’re going to visit) can either be put in that suitcase-are as well. Air holes can be stuffed with underwear or sock and this stabilizes the bulky things.

Layer look.

What’s most likely to leave at home? Another one of these questions…Unfortunately this is one, many don’t really ask themselves when getting ready for a great trip. The suitcase is full and everything is just dandy. But as soon as you pack your case to go back home, you realize there is absolutely no space for souvenirs. So, take only what you need. I mean how many shirts can you really need?! I am a woman and my closet is more that full but over the years I realized that less is more. There is no need to bring things like a hair-dryer, a roller brush or (just in case) an atlas so you don’t get lost. Ok, so back to the layers in your suitcase. The first layer should consist of resilient cloths like t-shirts, shorts and jumpers. If you roll them up, they’re less likely to wrinkle up. Towels are great as in-between layers…pff enough of this! I can’t take it any more. I can’t believe I’m writing about layers and suitcases. I want to worry about all the poisonous snakes or hungry tigers I’m going to hopefully see during my trip not this suitcase-crap ;) If you decide to spend your vacation time in Club Med or a five star hotel in Phuket, don’t hesitate to use the advice above; but if you’re up for adventure trips, go with the flow. Sooner or later you’ll realize what’s important and what not…

Personal end note/tip: Beware of the cat.

Believe me, there is nothing more frustrating than opening your suitcase after 48-hours of travelling (which included 3 different airports, three lousy flight-meals, a stiff neck from those incredibly comfortable & spacious plane-seats and one heck of a crazy taxi driver who though he’s the new Michael Schumacher) and smelling that one-of-a-kind cat piss-Eau de Toilette. Nothing I would want to experience again…