Katie from Tripbase.com came up with this great idea to share travel secrets across the net. She started a game called ‘3 Best Kept Travel Secrets’.
“The aim of this game is to unite travel bloggers in a joint endeavor – to create an amazing list of top travel recommendations across the globe to share with the entire online travel community.” – Katie from Tripbase.com.
I was nominated to participate in the game by my Twitter friend Keith, @velvetescape (You can read Keith’s best kept travel secrets here.)
Here are my 3 travel secrets:
1. Isla Saona, Dominican Republic
Photo courtesy of The Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism
I discovered this beautiful little island when I was on a cruise. I had been to the Dominican Republic before and heard others talking about this amazing little island called Isla Saona. So, when I got the chance to make an excursion, I grabbed it 🙂 And it was one of my most lovely experiences, I have to say. I went there with a speed boat, which was a first for me! Before you go ashore at the island, the boat makes a stop at a natural swimming pool as the Dominicans call it. You can snorkel and have some ‘vitaminos’ (well, it’s actually rum…but shhh…) and enjoy this amazing place! I was treated to a delicious lunch under waving palm trees. Enjoy the opportunity to go for a swim or go snorkeling. There was a catamaran ready to take us back to the ship. The catamaran just made the whole experience complete! The laid back Dominican way of life with fantastic music and dancing to the merengue.
Saona, really is a gorgeous little island that you got to see!!! One of the most beautiful, idyllic islands I’ve ever seen. And I’ve already seen a few!
It’s a lovely place you have to go on your travels. What is it? It’s an international chain of Belgian bakeries and restaurants serving simple, elegant food: soup, salads, breakfast, homemade pastries and handmade organic bread. Le Pain Quotidien is French for “Daily Bread”. They have several locations all over the world, with several ones in New York. I always make a stop at one of them when I’m in NY.
Because I like to have a nice breakfast in the morning, it’s a great way to start your day. When I’m not alone, I usually share the ‘Organic Baker’s basket’ which is a serving for two. You get a basket with slices of different kinds of bread. You can order extras like ham, eggs,… and so much more. But on all the tables you get jams and chocolate spreads (and trust me, they are so yummy!) so you don’t really need to order the extras. Don’t forget they also serve lunch and pastries!
I love the idea of the communal table. You can find one in every Pain Quotidien. This is stated on their website: “Friends and strangers alike come together around our communal table to break bread and linger for a while. Take a seat next to a neighbor, share the Brunette – the Brunette refers to the chocolate spread, just so you know– and be reminded that, even in the big city, we are a community.” Isn’t that what we want as travelers!
3. Méson Don Carnol, Madrid
Eat at a Spanish restaurant to try the local food. A great restaurant in Madrid for me was Méson Don Carnol, located at Calle Cava de San Miguel 6. You should try their Spanish paella, it was delicious! The staff was really friendly, in the end we even got ‘orugo’ which is an alcoholic drink made of herbs. They say it’s to digest your food better. 🙂 The Menú del Diá is mostly the most budget friendly way to go.
Okay, I like to nominate the following lovely bloggers to share their 3 best kept travel secrets:
@TravelDudes
@ThePlanetD
@BrilliantTips
@TravelwithTwo
@MyMelange
The final list of Top Bloggers’ Best Kept Travel Secrets is compiled in 7 FREE ebooks and you support a good cause, read about it here: Travel Secrets Ebook.
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