Buenos Aires, Argentina
Shopping, Dining, Dancing, Mingling... Estamos en paraísoAs one of the most cosmopolitan and sophisticated capital cities in South America, Buenos Aires remains a sought-after destination due to its captivating nightlife, warm climate, and the Argentines' restless energy. We capitalized on every aspect of this city, nestled among 16 million people. Buenos Aires is an urban metropolis where culture abounds.
We explored the city's European style, architecture, and flair. Style is at its best in this South American fashion capital. For us to properly compete with the Argentine women's sense of style, we wandered the cobbled streets and shopped the city's many boutiques for hours. One of our other favorite pastimes lunching with friends in Ricoleta, to then cooling off with ice cream at Freddo, a local ice cream shop.
We met up with friends in Ricoleta and then cooled off with ice cream at Freddo, the most popular cooling-off spot in town.
As TravelGirls, it is one of our goals to learn the local dance of every country we visit. In Argentina, it was no different. We took heart-pumping tango lessons at a milonga. Tango is the sexy, national Argentine dance that keeps men and women hot for each other. After a little "dirty dancing", we would join the "after-work" crowds at Opera Bay for good drinks and a beautiful view of the city. Opera Bay is located in the trendy area of Puerto Madero, an area known for its popular restaurants and bars. We also fancied the district of Palermo, where we enjoyed the greatest steaks and exceptional vintages. In Buenos Aires, the party starts at 2am, so we wanted to make sure we had plenty of fuel!
Life is not only good in Buenos Aires; it's great, making it a staple TravelGirls destination!
Punta del Este, Uruguay
TravelGirls in Punta del Este... No estaban listosWhat a better place to spend New Year's Eve, than in the pint-sized country of Uruguay, where the beautiful, fashionable, and fun meet to mingle, party and relax. Punta del Este, located east of Montevideo, Uruguay's capital, is one of the most westernized places in the country, with innumerable beach resorts, plenty of water activities and lots of party-ready tourists from Argentina, Europe, and the US.
The TravelGirls rented a house in La Barra, the hottest neighborhood in Punta, where the homes are beautiful, spacious, and perfect for house parties. We threw the hottest party in our house, "La Sirenita" which means Little Mermaid drawing an international crowd from Italy, Brazil, Uruguay, London, etc. As the music boomed from the most hooked up ride in the country, our hip hop, salsa, reggaeton, dance, and house beats attracted people from miles away. This essentially made our party house famous for the duration of our time in Punta.
During the days in this exclusive South American get-away, we beach hopped, shopped, sipped yerba mate, and munched on the most delicious chivitos. By sunset (9:00pm) the party gets started with the most fashionable and beautiful people in the town of Jose Ignacio at a hot spot called "Cream". These international trend setters meet to people watch over sangria, dance music, pizza and of course, an unmatched sunset. The TravelGirls now call Punta del Este "home" over the winter holidays as we will continue to celebrate the New Year south of the equator!
Greece
TravelGirls alongside the Gods and GoddessesIt would take more than a lifetime of island hopping to really get to know the 160+ islands that make up Greece. We only had 14 days to visit Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, and Hydra. Each Greek island has its own distinctive history, personality, and architecture. In Greece, everything happens later. Restaurants, tavernas, and cafes are all open late. In fact, we didn't head out to restaurants until 12am. We knew that this was a country that rocks!
One of our favorite past times while hanging out in Greece was eating! The dining experience is a way of life for the Greeks, and restaurants are not a place to have a bite to eat before an evening of entertainment, they ARE the entertainment. The Greeks take their time over food and we loved every minute of the social atmosphere! We dined for hours on tzatziki, choriatiki salata, and fresh squid and octopus - national favorites! You should have seen the look on our faces when the 8-legged sea creature were served Grecian style on our plates! Let's just say, we really enjoyed the wine as well. To top off every meal, a local wine is served, along with Greek pastries and strong dark coffee.
Although not an island, the most obvious starting point for our mythical journey was Athens, the capital. We stayed for 3 days to visit the Acropolis and journey through history. We took the metro to our trendy hotel, FRESH, unpacked, and trekked around the ancient city to visit our mythological heroes: Venus-the goddess of Beauty (how apropos!); and Zeus-the god of all gods (isn't that stereotypical?!).
Later on our journey, we took a hydrafoil from Athens to Hydra. This island of Hydra is unspoiled, with the only transportation on the island being by donkey, bicycle, or foot. Hydra is quaint, with a superb coastline and unique old world architecture. On Day 6, we journeyed to Santorini. We'd seen images of Santorini on countless magazine covers, but you have to see it live. Imagine white washed houses, perched atop cliffs overlooking the Ionian and Aegean seas. We made sure that we stayed on the Caldera side of the island, for dramatic views of the volcano and postcard sunsets. We sunbathed at the red and sand black beaches in Perissa, lunched on delectable Greek salads in the capital of Fira, and swam in the famous Perivolas infinity pool in Oia. Travel secret: this is where Greenday resides when they're visiting the island.
To finish off our trip, we ferried over to Mykonos, prepared to indulge ourselves in party, both by day and night. Mykonos is the Ibiza of Greece, known for beautiful people, a thriving nightlife, and hidden treasures for shopping and lounging. After soaking up rays on the sand at Paradise and Super Paradise Beaches, we partied right on the beach, where the gorgeous and jet-setters meet. Some of the best weeks of our lives!
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Samba, Caperinas, and the prairas... The TravelGirls love'em all.When you think of Brazil, you probably imagine sun-drenched beauties on the beautiful beaches of Rio de Janerio, rhythmic sounds of samba pulsating vibrantly through the city, and delicious cachaca based drinks, like the caipirinha which makes a mojito seem like a stepchild. While you're imagination is right on, there is much more this incredible city has to offer. From the culture, music, cuisine, and people, it's hard to find one element of this place that stands out above the rest. This picturesque city captivated us from every angle, as we fell in love with the carioca spirit of living life to the fullest.
The marvelous city of Rio de Janeiro is home to one of the world's most vibrant and active beach cultures year-round. The TravelGirls had the pleasure of living like true cariocas while in Rio, as we spent our days hanging out at the Praia de Ipanema, perfecting our tans, drinking cerveja, snacking on Biscoitos Globo, and people watching for days.
Following our newfound beach life, we had to gear up for the Brazilian parties that we were invited to. We found ourselves shopping on Rua Visconde de Piraja and at the Hippy Fair "feira hippie" for the perfect Brazilian jeans, sexy camisoles, and the traditional beautiful beaded necklaces and earrings. By the time we finished, we looked like true Brazilian beauties!
Our evenings were spent eating an abundance of non-stop feijoada and churrasco dishes in preparation for the intense partying that was about to take place. From places like Baronetti, and Melt, to the traditional samba and pagode parties, we partied like true Brazilians.
Barcelona, Spain
The TravelGirls love Gaudí, Fiestas, and tapas in Catalonia¹s capitalThe wonderful city of Barcelona positioned on the shores of the Mediterranean, is home to some of Spain¹s most celebrated history, tradition, culture and art. The TravelGirls know and love this city for its cuisine, fiestas, fashion, weather, and the spectacular nightlife. From club OMM, to the Sugar Club, or the exclusive Buddabarcelona, the city¹s nightlife is simply amazing. Barcelona also has a reputation for producing some of Spain's finest cuisine. We thoroughly enjoyed the typical Catalan food which was flavored in the different sofregit, samfaina and allioli sauces. You simply can¹t go wrong with Catalan cuisine and the champagne-based sangria de cava. Combinación perfecta!
The stylish city of Barcelona pulsates as one of Spain¹s hottest destinations, from the architecture of the eccentric genius Gaudí surrounding the city, while the art of Picasso and Miró will make you think you¹re dreaming. And not to mention, the BarceloniansŠwith their exuberance, duende, and persistent egalitarianism, they will continue to fascinate you days, months, and years after you depart this magical city.
Italy (Florence & Rome)
Le TravelGirls adorano Italia!We've made a pact...Italy is, hands-down, no questions-asked, the quintessential annual trip. When we're there, we spend weeks taking full advantage of the tradition, culture, art, opera, food, wine, shopping, and of course the partying in Italy. In our opinion, Italian is one of the most beautiful languages on the planet. Sitting in an outdoor cafe, taking a mid-day stroll or simply dining in a restaurant, the beautifully expressive and often sexy Napolitano and Florentine accents surround you. Mamma mia!
One of our favorite pastimes in Italy is capturing the breathtaking art and architecture in Florence and Rome. From the Pitti Palace and Duomo to the Colosseum and the Vatican, Italy is an art lovers dream. These renaissance cities are not only breathtakingly beautiful, they are also home to some of the world's best fashion, gelato, cuisine and wine.
With world famous designers such as Gucci, Versace, Ferragamo, and Prada, it is easy to see why the Italians are always so stylish. We had a wonderful time shopping (window-shopping) in the famous Italian boutiques and admiring the gorgeous fashion that we encountered on a daily basis. We also explored the endless flea markets, antique stores, and one of a kind shops thoughout these spectacular cities.
Italian cuisine is to die for! We discovered so many great cafes, enotecas (wine bars), and trattorias. We ate fettunta, pollo alla fiorentina, affettati misti, and abbacchio alla romana for days. We had apperitivo and traditional Italian cocktails at Capocaccia, the well-known after work spot near the Ponte Vecchio, where the Florence's prettiest come to see and be seen. We were right there with them!
We had no idea how the Florentines and the Romans partied. Needless to say, we were blown away! The parties and clubs get started late and they range dramatically in variety. Our favorite club in Florence is club YAB "You Are Beautiful" on Mondays as they play the hottest hiphop and dance music in the city. In Rome, party hopping is essential, as the city's clubs and bars are designed for this. We partied until the sun came up in the Testaccio and Ostiense districts with Brazilian and Columbian-Romans that we met at Caffe Latino along the way.
Italy is by far one of our favorite destinations, as we love "La Dolce Vita" or the good life that we experience while in our second home.
Martinique
Le TravelGirls et La Martinique... oh la la!There is no other Caribbean island like Martinique. Imagine a taste of France set in the tropics. Islanders wear Paris fashions and eat croissants. Despite the French influence on Martinican culture, the islanders have a culture of their own. French-Indian Creole traditions dominate the island's cuisine, language, music and customs. Zouk music will fill your ears, as you enjoy the bars and nightclubs.
Paris in the Caribbean? Oui Oui, c'est vrai! La belle Martinique is a slice of France located in the Lesser Antilles. Many French tourists come to Martinique, think they've found paradise, and never leave. It is an unbelievably beautiful island From the people, West Indian culture, beaches, cuisine, and zouk music, this tiny bit of paradise is such a wonderful place to relax, live and love.
We visited Martinique to experience a bit of Caribbean country living, beach life, and zouk love! We stayed all over the island to capture the true essence of Martinique. The best way to travel here is to stay in gites (bungalows/ private bed and breakfasts). We began on a farm in the countryside of Morne des Esses, where we awoke to the natural sounds of roosters and goats. We enjoyed the rural life of this magical town, but after two days, we needed more activity. We journeyed south to the plage of Sainte-Anne, one of the best beaches in the Caribbean to lie on the beach and drink ti-punch.
The only way to get around in Martinique is by car and sometimes bus. Many people "faire un stop", by sticking out their thumb when they need to get from one part of the island to the other. We wanted to experience life as the locals do, so although hesitant we did it. By the time we left Martinique, we were masters at getting around.
Martinique is home to some of the finest cuisine in the Caribbean. The combination of West Indian Creole spices and traditional French dishes will give your palate tastes you couldn't possibly imagine. Your palate will gladly thank you after each meal. We dined on island specialties like stuffed crab, broiled local dove, and Colombo. Tres bon!
We hung out in Fort-de-France to experience the city life. There, you find the beautiful locals wearing Parisian fashion, eating croissants, and enjoying the endless beautiful weather. Fort-de-France is also the best place to experience the nightlife of Martinique. The nightlife couldn't possibly be felt without the incredible sounds of Zouk music. Martinique and Guadeloupe is where Zouk originated and it is now an important symbol of identity for the islands.
One of our favorite areas to party in Fort-de-France, is Boulevard Allegre where there are numerous clubs and bars, overlooking Riviere Madame. As we party hopped in these places, we quickly learned how to dance to Zouk the way that the locals do. The beautiful country and the beautiful people will keep us coming back for more relaxing and fun times. Martinique has now become an official TravelGirls destination!
Limon, Costa Rica
The TravelGirls take on nature, in style, in the tropical rainforests of Costa RicaWhen we traveled to Costa Rica, Central America¹s jewel, we decided to charter the unbeaten path and vacation along the Caribbean coast, filled with cultural diversity. Caribbean culture can be experienced in Puerto Limon and all of the coastal cities southward. Along the shoreline, eco-tourism abounds, and it is one of the best places to experience the tropics with minimal impact. With hundreds of species of wildlife, fauna and floral, this tropical retreat is a nature lover¹s sanctuary.
We began in Tortuguero, an area famous for turtle watching. During particular times of the year, at night, massive sea turtles come up on shore. When we weren¹t turtle watching, we were body surfing in 8 foot waves! South of Tortuguero, we stayed in Puerto Limon, Costa Rica's premier port town located on the Caribbean cost. Limon (as it is commonly called) is the host of one of Costa Rica's most famous carnivals called Dia de las Culturas. The festival's purpose is to celebrate Costa Rica's diverse culture, but it¹s really a wild crazy Mardi Gras type party.
We continued to enjoy our new Central American beach life on the Caribbean coast, at the beaches of Playa Bonita, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, and Manzanillo. We stayed in local beach bungalows, centered in a rainforest/jungle atmosphere. Every morning we were served breakfast on the terrace of our bungalow, enjoying fresh scrambled eggs, rice and beans, and sausage. Undiscovered by massive amounts of tourists, we discovered a peace like no other in Costa Rica, and were able to swim, snorkel, relax and enjoy a bit of reggae. Yea mon!
Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
TravelGirls are now experts at Liming, Partying, and Preparing for Carnival...Trinis, as they refer to themselves, are a lively people, with Carnival, Calypso, Steelpan, and Chutney music running through their veins. The music styles are derived from a dynamic heritage that we discovered while on the beautiful island of Trinidad. We captured street life at its best in the heart of Port-of-Spain's urban sophistication. We spent our time people watching, enjoying delectable Caribbean cuisine, and liming -what Trinis call hanging out. The laid-back atmosphere stirred up an environment of friendliness and connections to the point where we had no problem feeling at home amongst a melting pot of cultures.
We partied at Coconuts nightclub, where we learned how to "wine", the local slow and sexy Caribbean style of dance made famous in Trinidad. We ventured a little further away from the city center to party the night away at Chaguaramas - a huge area on the North West coast of the island, formerly the American Naval Base during World War II. There are great outdoor nightclubs here, including Pier One, Anchorage and Tsunami, where we partied with local soca artists Tre-Son and Xtatic.
For fuel, Trinidad offers not only its own cuisine of mouth-watering Caribbean fare, including jerk chicken, beans, peas, rice, and spices, but also Chinese, Indian, Creole, French, Italian and the latest in Continental dishes. We also feasted on the infamous "shark and bake". This dish, served at local beaches, is a great snack for lazy days at Maracas Bay.
Trinidad is home to the greatest party on earth, Carnival! The two days of Carnival are not a holiday, but they might as well be. Everywhere you turn, there are people dancing, drinking, and "wining". It commences yearly every Monday and Tuesday preceding Ash Wednesday and it all takes place in the tiny areas of Port-of-Spain at Queen's Park Savannah, Maraccas Bay, and at all of the beaches. The party takes over the island! The excitement builds, and plans are made for Carnival a year in advance. Band leaders have to prepare their "theme" - and everything must revolve around this theme: music selections, costumes, and choreography. Although Carnival is the most popular celebration on this small island, cultural festivities are year round, with African and East Indian cultures celebrating their independence and heritage.
The non-stop flavor, energy and partying in Trinidad makes it an annual TravelGirls hotspot!