Unanchor Blog

Itinerary Writer Spotlight: Alejandro Nuñez – Mexico City, Mexico

Jason@Unanchor.com (Jason Demant) — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:33:09 +0000

In our “Itinerary Writer Spotlight” series, we interview our newest Unanchor writers and find out more about their city. Enjoy!

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1. Who are you? Where are you from? What do you do?

My name is Alejandro, I’m originally from the northern part of Mexico, Chihuahua, but have been living in Mexico City for the last 3 years. I am working in one of the biggest financial company in Latin America as a Strategic Planner Manager but right now I’m focused on planning my “without-an-ending date” trip that will start the next year.

2. What are the top 3 things to do/see in Mexico City?

1- Mercado de San Juan. I’m a food lover so my first choice will be related to this market. This is a market that is lost in the middle of the city, where all the most famous chefs buy their ingredients. You can find really crazy stuff like bear or lion meat, edible bugs and all kinds of vegetables but the most important part is you can eat some delicious food inside the market.
2- Teotihuacan Pyramids. Besides the typical attraction of the city center, you must consider a day on your trip to come to this place and discover the magnificent civilization we once were.
3- Luchas Libres or Xochimilco. This one was hard to choose but in the end, as in every city, you will see a lot of old and new buildings, statues and monuments but what will make the most of your trip to Mexico city is to get to know the culture. These two attractions will allow you to explore the true Mexican culture nowadays, both are experiences that you won’t regret.

3. What are the top 3 tourist traps to avoid in Mexico City?

1- Not traveling to Mexico because is “dangerous”. A lot of people around the world will tell you that traveling to Mexico City is just crazy, this is the first tourist trap you will encounter even before coming here. In the itinerary, I will cover all the explanations about safety but don’t believe everything you hear.
2- Choosing an hotel/hostel in the city center. Right now the city has grown so much that the city center is the least centric part of all. Besides, maybe during the day the city center is full of life but during the night it is not. So try to choose a hotel or hostel in one of these neighborhoods: La Condesa, La Roma Norte, La Roma Sur, Polanco, Napoles, Zona Rosa or over Paseo de la Reforma. Coyoacan or on the south (Periferico Sur) are also nice places to stay but if you do, you will be really far away from all the attractions.
3- Taking a taxi instead of public transportation or walking. Just because you don’t know where you are doesn’t mean you have to take a taxi. During the week, there is so much traffic in the city that it can take up to an hour to get to a place that could have taken you only 20 minutes if you had been walking. So before deciding on taking a taxi, ask the people how far it is and if is good idea to take a taxi, in case they say it is, just ask about how much a taxi should charge for that trip.

Bellas Artes Palace

4. What’s your favorite restaurant in Mexico City and what’s good there?

I love the street food stands, but if you you think you are not ready to try street food but still want to enjoy the real Mexican taste, you can go to Casa de Toño. You will have the chance to try all the different kinds of food you would find on the street but prepared in a restaurant instead.

5. What made you fall in love with Mexico City?

The variety of experiences and things that I can do. There is no experience, restaurant, festival, show, you can not find in Mexico City. It is a multicultural city full of life, you can not help falling in love with this city.

6. Where else can we find your work/writing?

I have wrote some business eBooks and a business blog (www.innovare-corp.com), unfortunately all of them are in Spanish. Right now I’m working on a travel blog for my next year adventure, it will be in Spanish but if you want to take a look, you can do so. I plan to release it at the end of May of 2013, www.miviajeporelmundo.com.

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Visiting Mexico City? Make sure to check out Alejandro’s Everything to see or do in Mexico City – 7-Day Itinerary.

Unanchor Semi-Annual 2-Day Sale — FREE Travel Guides Thursday & Friday Only!

Jason@Unanchor.com (Jason Demant) — Thu, 09 May 2013 07:01:45 +0000

It’s time again for another Unanchor Kindle Travel Guide 2-day sale! Starting today (May 9) through Friday (May 10), we have 100 Unanchor Amazon Kindle travel guides available for FREE! See below for direct links to every guide.

What is an Unanchor Travel Guide Itinerary?

A self-guided tour itinerary is a logical list of prioritized sights and attractions with detailed directions & maps.

Please Help Us & Leave a Review

I have a big favor to ask you. These guides take hours to write, create and update. Normally, they cost anywhere from $5 to $10, but today they’re free!

If you download a guide, can you give us your feedback? Email us at feedback@unanchor.com or leave a review directly on Amazon (details on how to do this are on the last page of every guide). Reviews are tremendously helpful to the writers & to us, allowing us to continuously improve each guide.

Get Your FREE Unanchor Guides on Amazon

Starting right now and through midnight Pacific time on Friday (May 10) you can download all of our Amazon Kindle itineraries for FREE! Head on over to Amazon and download your guides now. Don’t forget to share & tweet this with your friends! Here is what’s available:

Itinerary Writer Spotlight: Clare Auchterlonie – Los Angeles, California

Jason@Unanchor.com (Jason Demant) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:33:07 +0000

In our “Itinerary Writer Spotlight” series, we interview our newest Unanchor writers and find out more about their city. Enjoy!

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1. Who are you? Where are you from? What do you do?

I was born in England but since 2001 I have lived in Los Angeles. I came here searching for sunshine and for the most part I haven’t looked back. Maybe once, when I ran out of tea bags.

2. What are the top 3 things to do/see in Los Angeles?

1. Go see the Hollywood sign and put your hands in the footprints at Mann’s Chinese Theatre. I don’t care how uncool or touristy you feel, it’s part of LA History and movie history – everyone should do it once. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve done it myself.
2. If visiting in the summer, catch a movie outdoors. You can catch a movie at a cemetery, on a rooftop downtown, by the beach or in a school field – so many of these events have been popping up each summer.
3. Go to the beach because really that’s why we are all here. If you aren’t a ‘lie on the beach’ kind of person then hire a bike and spend a day cycling up and down The Strand, a 22 mile coastal pathway that runs along the ocean and our beach cities.

3. What are the top 3 tourist traps to avoid in Los Angeles?

1. Don’t pay to be bused around Beverly Hills looking at the gates and hedges of long gone celebrities. It is a waste of time and money, unless you like hedges. Most celebrities live in gated communities in Calabasas or Pacific Palisades these days. You’d be better off hanging out at the Urth Café on Melrose or blow the money on lunch at The Ivy.
2. Theme parks – there is so much to see and do in LA, why waste all day and $100 each on a cheesy theme park? If you want to see inside a working studio check out Paramount or Warner Bros tours.
3. Taping of TV shows. Again another time sucker to be herded around like a sheep all day.

4. What’s your favorite restaurant in Los Angeles and what’s good there?

This is such a hard question to answer for any Angelino. For a city that is accused of being overly image conscious, we do like our food! My favorite restaurant for just being a great place to grab a bite to eat in a historic setting is Philippes The Original (although locals just call it Philippes), who invented the French dipped sandwich. It’s family style bench seating, they make their own mustard that will clear any cold, and the coffee is only 45 cents. I always get the pork sandwich, no cheese, side of pickle and a coffee. Website: http://www.philippes.com

5. What made you fall in love with Los Angeles?

Los Angeles is an enormous city that can engulf many of the US’s other cities and still have space left over – it’s like lots of little cities in one big city, unkindly called urban sprawl by some people! I used to get frustrated by this as it takes time to get somewhere but now I embrace it. You never feel hemmed in and the vastness of the city means it never gets boring because there is always something new to discover.

6. Where else can we find your work/writing?

I take pictures of my Los Angeles adventures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/clarew and you can follow me on twitter: https://twitter.com/PollyPissypants

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Visiting Los Angeles? Make sure to check out Clare’s Los Angeles Highlights 3-Day Itinerary, Downtown Los Angeles 1 Day Walking Tour, and Beverly Hills, Los Angeles – One Day Tour itineraries.

Itinerary Writer Spotlight: Emily Monaco – Paris, France

Jason@Unanchor.com (Jason Demant) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:33:15 +0000

In our “Itinerary Writer Spotlight” series, we interview our newest Unanchor writers and find out more about their city. Enjoy!

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1. Who are you? Where are you from? What do you do?

My name is Emily, and I’m originally from New York, though I’ve been living in Paris since 2007. I’m nearly done with a Masters degree in French Literature at the Sorbonne. I’m a freelance writer and tour guide here in my adopted city, and I’ve recently started working in food TV!

2. What are the top 3 things to do/see in Paris?

I absolutely love walking around the city. My favorite thing to do is pick a new neighborhood that I’ve never been to before and wander around, going in and out of shops, before finally finding a nice café or restaurant for lunch! Lunch is key… lunch is very, very important in France.

3. What are the top 3 tourist traps to avoid in Paris?

I think that most of the “traps” are traps for a reason. It’s more about being smart about it. For example, you can’t go to Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower, but waiting in line at peak hours is nonsense. Instead, visit in the evening, when there are fewer people. As for the other big tourist trap — the Louvre — your best bet is to get a map ahead of time and work out an itinerary. Otherwise, it’s too easy to get lost or overwhelmed. Luckily, right across the street is Angelina, where you can have some of the best hot chocolate of your life.

Paris Foodie Classics: 1 Day of French Food

4. What’s your favorite restaurant in Paris and what’s good there?

My favorite restaurant is my little local, a place called Autour de… where I’ve fallen in love with a baked camembert topped with raspberry coulis. That being said, my favorite thing to do is discover new restaurants. I’m always on the lookout for a new place to fall for!

5. What made you fall in love with Paris?

It didn’t happen all at once, which I think is a sign it was real. I didn’t have starry-eyed visions of Paris when I moved here. In fact, coming to Paris was a means to an end; I intended to move back to the south of France, where I had been living the year before. But Paris got under my skin, and now I can’t leave even if I try! I think it’s the pace and rhythm here that made me really fall in love with it.

6. Where else can we find your work/writing?

I blog about Paris and food at http://www.tomatokumato.com. You’ll also find other links to my writing on the site. And you can follow my Paris- and food-related ramblings @emiglia on Twitter.

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Visiting Paris? Make sure to check out Emily’s Paris Foodie Classics: 1 Day of French Food and Paris 3-Day Walking Tour: See Paris Like a Local itineraries.

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A Free $25 gift card for a Custom Shirt from Dress United
$50 gift card for car magnets from MagnetsOnTheCheap
$40 gift card for a vinyl banner from BannersOnTheCheap OR,
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Itinerary Writer Spotlight: Deborah Cater – Málaga, Spain

Jason@Unanchor.com (Jason Demant) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 10:33:16 +0000

In our “Itinerary Writer Spotlight” series, we interview our newest Unanchor writers and find out more about their city. Enjoy!

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1. Who are you? Where are you from? What do you do?

Hi, I’m Deborah. I am a writer, blogger and language teacher who has toppled over the 40 year barrier. I love the excitement that travel brings, discovering places for myself and meeting people along the way.

I grew up in the south of England, not far from Windsor Castle, but have hardly stopped moving since leaving home at 18. The last 3 years have been spent living in the Spanish province of Málaga and I visit the city as often as possible; it stirs something in me. My feet have started itching again though, and I am soon to move to northern Italy to teach English.

2. What are the top 3 things to do/see in Málaga?

Visit Castle Gibralfaro, not so much for the castle which is mainly a few ruins but for the view over the city. If you can walk up to it, then you get to peer into the bullring and watch as parts of Málaga that you do not see from the streets appear before you eyes. It is a steep climb but there are numerous shady rest points from which to take in the city.

Eat fresh fish cooked over a fire in sand-filled boats. The chringuitos (beach restaurants) cook their fish this way. Particularly good are the sardines, usually 4 to 6 of them on a skewer.

Visit the Cathedral. The church is cavernous and atmospherically dark, with lights from the shrines illuminating gold and silver artwork and the lifelike figures of some of the statues. The woodwork around the choir and main altar is beautifully carved.

3. What are the top 3 tourist traps to avoid in Málaga?

Top tourist trap is the horse and cart rides. Granted they save on shoe leather and there is a feel of romance about it but they are expensive and the horses are not always treated with the greatest respect by their owners.

You are in Málaga, the sun is shining and you want to make the most of it and sit outside when dining/drinking, but beware it may cost you more. Many bars and restaurants charge extra for seating outside, up to 15% in some cases. The cheapest place to seat is usually at the bar, which if you want immediate service is also the best place to be!

Living statues line the main shopping street – Larios. Point a camera anywhere in their general direction and they are going to start demanding money for the picture. Some of them haven’t seemed to grasp the rudiments of being a statue either and shuffle about as if they have an ant infestation!

The Alcazaba from the Paseo del Parque

4. What’s your favorite restaurant in Málaga and what’s good there?

This is a difficult question as there are a number of very good restaurants in Málaga from tapas to a la carte. My current favourite is El Tapeo de Cervantes and its rucula and cheese wrapped in serrano ham. Delicious.

5. What made you fall in love with Málaga?

I have been visiting the Málaga province since I was a small child and the city has grown with me. It is an ugly duckling tale with Málaga turning into a beautiful swan with everything you could want from a city but without losing its soul. You can still wander the winding back streets and find the old flamenco dress shops and bars where the locals go for coffee, then turn a corner and come across a modern museum and top-class restaurant. Every time I visit Málaga I find something new to fall in love with.

6. Where else can we find your work/writing?

You can follow my blogs through citychronicles-deborahcater.blogspot.com.
My website is http://deborahcater.yolasite.com/

I am also on twitter @DeborahCater and Facebook www.facebook.com/citychronicles

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Visiting Málaga? Make sure to check out Deborah’s Málaga, Spain – 2-Day Tour from the Moors to Picasso itinerary.

Itinerary Writer Spotlight: Steve Andrews – Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

Itinerary Writer Spotlight: Jen Yip – Hong Kong

Jason@Unanchor.com (Jason Demant) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 10:33:50 +0000

In our “Itinerary Writer Spotlight” series, we interview our newest Unanchor writers and find out more about their city. Enjoy!

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1. Who are you? Where are you from? What do you do?

Hi, I’m Jen from Hong Kong. Currently based in France, I’m an avid traveler and amateur photographer. I got addicted to traveling the moment I started my first solo trip back in 2007. Since then, I take each and every opportunity to escape from my routine life and to explore the world. No matter how many travel books you’ve read beforehand, you never know what you will see and who you will encounter during the trip until you step out. The uncertainty makes travelling captivating.

2. What are the top 3 things to do/see in Hong Kong?

Sunset from the peak is magnificent, especially on a clear day. As the sky changes from blue to orange and finally turns dark, skyscrapers light up one by one to color the night sky. Walk into a restaurant in the Peak and enjoy dinner with the stunning panoramic view! Don’t forget to bring your camera with you!

A traditional dimsum lunch in a local tea house with friends and family is always enjoyable! Dimsum is very popular among the older generation but it’s generally loved by everyone in town. A wide variety of dimsum is offered in any typical tea house. They are served in small portions in bamboo steam cages. Even if you are only coming with a small group, you can savour a few different dimsums. Among all the dimsums, beef ball is my favourite, followed by hargao (Steamed Prawn Dumpling).

Another must-see is the A Symphony of Light show. It is staged in the Victoria Harbour at 8pm every evening and is the proud Guinness World Record holder of the world’s largest permanent light and sound show. Skyscrapers from both sides of the Harbour are featured during the show and you can get the best view from Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront Promenade. The light and laser multimedia display takes you through an amazing journey to celebrate the dynamism, creativity and energy of the Pearl of the Orient. While you’re waiting for the show to begin, stroll along the Waterfront Promenade and the Avenue of Stars. Don’t forget to pose yourself for a photo in front of the famous skyline.

3. What are the top 3 tourist traps to avoid in Hong Kong?

Be careful when you buy electronic appliances like digital cameras and mobile phones. Don’t go into shops that showcase an enormous flashing “Tax Free Shopping” signs, yet don’t bother to display the shop name. More often than not, tourists end up buying an old model camera with higher than usual price or with unnecessarily expensive accessories in these shops. As a matter of fact, there’s no sales tax for almost all merchandise sold in Hong Kong. If you need to buy electronic appliances, go to a reputable store where everything has a clearly shown marked price.

There are occasional reports of taxis charging tourists excessive fares. Typical tricks include adding unnecessary surcharges to the final bill, offering for you to pay a fixed price when you get on the taxi and routing off track to charge more than it should. Fare information is listed in both Chinese and English on the taxi door. There’s no surcharge no matter it’s a public holiday or it’s late at night. However, you have to pay extra for baggage and for using tunnels and bridges. If in doubt, ask for a receipt before you get off the taxi. The driver is obliged to provide you a machine-printed receipt upon request. This allows you to file a complaint later on.

Don’t forget to haggle when shopping in street stores on Woman Street and Temple Street. The initial offered price is usually much higher than normal market price. Try to bargain to a price where both you and the seller are comfortable with. Moreover, you can always compare the price of similar products sold in nearby stores. If you feel uncomfortable with bargaining, use the “walk-away” tactic. After asking for the price of your target product, turn and walk away slowly. Seeing this, the merchant will normally call you back and offer you a better price.

Hong Kong

4. What’s your favorite restaurant in Hong Kong and what’s good there?

Going yumcha in dimsum restaurants is my all-time favourite. Dimsum is a category of regional food prepared in bite-sized portions. They are usually served with a pot of tea. Having lunch in a dimsum restaurant is one of the most popular weekend activities for local families.

I’ve a sweet tooth and can’t live without dessert. Evolved from traditional sweet soap in the region, neo-style Hong Kong dessert is categorized by its extensive use of tropical fruit. They’re so popular among the younger generation that it’s not uncommon to find people hailing for taxis at midnight just to go to a dessert shop. Desserts with mango toppings are my favourite!

5. What made you fall in love with Hong Kong?

Hong Kong is a unique city. You can find traces of influences from both western and oriental culture in every aspect of life here. Besides, the small yet dynamic city offers convenience you can’t find in the rest of the world. Every single part of the town is reachable by reliable public transport and shops are opened till late at night. Moreover, even though the city is highly urbanized, nature is just a step away from the skyscrapers. In addition, you can easily find cuisine from around the world here. How can one not fall in love with Hong Kong?

6. Where else can we find your work/writing?

You can find my travel photos at http://misterteddy.com. I also keep a travel blog in Chinese at http://travel.misterteddy.com.

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Visiting Hong Kong? Make sure to check out Jen’s Between the Skyscrapers – Hong Kong 3-day Discovery Tour itinerary.

No related posts.

Itinerary Writer Spotlight: Kaila Krayewski – Bangkok, Thailand

Jason@Unanchor.com (Jason Demant) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 10:33:13 +0000

In our “Itinerary Writer Spotlight” series, we interview our newest Unanchor writers and find out more about their city. Enjoy!

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1. Who are you? Where are you from? What do you do?

My name is Kaila Krayewski, I’m Canadian, and I’m a travel writer, journalist, and online marketer.

2. What are the top 3 things to do/see in Bangkok?

Platinum Shopping Mall – girls’ shopping heaven!
Sirocco – One of the top 10 bars in the world; full of snobby people, but totally worth the view!
A canal tour – Bangkok used to be called The Venice of the East so a canal tour lets you in to old Bangkok.

3. What are the top 3 tourist traps to avoid in Bangkok?

Khao San Road – This is where all the backpackers go, and it’s nothing like the real Bangkok … that’s it, really!

Girls' night out in Bangkok

4. What’s your favorite restaurant in Bangkok and what’s good there?

Madame Saranaire – The tom yum goong is the best in Thailand, and the banana blossom salad is spectacular. Everything is!

5. What made you fall in love with Bangkok?

It’s possible to meet the most amazing people there, and live like a princess on what would be considered an “average” salary back home. Massages, pedicures, facials, new dresses every week, yay!

6. Where else can we find your work/writing?

My online writing portfolio is here: http://cuttings.me/users/kailadk

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Visiting Bangkok? Make sure to check out Kaila’s Girls’ Weekend in Bangkok: Shop, Spa, Savour, Swoon itinerary.

Itinerary Writer Spotlight: Ellie Bedford – Paphos, Cyprus

Jason@Unanchor.com (Jason Demant) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 10:33:34 +0000

In our “Itinerary Writer Spotlight” series, we interview our newest Unanchor writers and find out more about their city. Enjoy!

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1. Who are you? Where are you from? What do you do?

My name is Ellie and I’m a 25 year old English teacher and artist from Manchester, England. Never one to settle in one place too long, my love of different cultures has seen me live in many different places from Scotland to America to India… Now I’m contentedly resting for a while in the Mediterranean, on the beautiful island of Cyprus.

2. What are the top 3 things to do/see in Paphos?

Don’t miss out on a trip to a local taverna and the best way to find a little gem of an eatery is to ask a local. Tavernas are a wonderful taster of Cypriot life and a weekly event for locals of all ages. The food in tavernas is homemade and fresh so indulge in a Meze, sample the local wine and enjoy a taster of the real Cyprus.

Everyone loves a beach trip! Paphos is a harbour town and Cypriots from Nicosia, Larnaca and other cities on the island often visit Paphos for a long weekend and to relax by the sea, away from the hubbub of the towns. Now, the best place to go to avoid the hordes of sunburnt tourists is La Playa beach bar. Situated just a little further down the coast towards Yeroskipou, this is a wonderful spot to relax. However, don’t expect to get bored of lounging around! In high season (May – September) there is a beach bar, floating canoes, large green area for sports and a DJ booth and stage for musicians. La Playa is suitable for all ages and there is lots to keep kids occupied.

Escape the garish happy hour deals and head into the traditional Cypriot villages. There is a somewhat untouched charm about the older villages that just cannot be replicated elsewhere. As the younger members of the clans slowly start to leave towards the more fruitful prospects of Paphos or Limassol, the older generations stay on to keep the traditions alive. The village of Lysos near Polis is a perfect example of this. It is a little too far out to interest developers so there are no luxury complexes or imposing hotels. If travelling to Lysos, head to Paradisos Hills where the breathtaking views and local cuisine will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time!

3. What are the top 3 tourist traps to avoid in Paphos?

Be very careful with rental car companies. Never accept to pay any amount for gas as most companies only require you to leave the tank as you found it. There are lots of companies down by the harbour so, if you have time, shop around. When you are decided on a car, make sure you take pictures (with the date/timer on your camera) of any dents or scratches and ensure that the representative from the company sees you doing this.

Beware of Coral Bay beach! Although this can be a lovely spot in the spring, it becomes ridiculously congested during the more popular months (June-September). This is mainly where the Russian and English tourists come who don’t really know better and there is not much to do. This used to be a favourite among young Cypriots but given its proximity and the fact that the beaches in Yeroskipou are smaller but less crowded, Coral Bay is now rarely visited by locals.

Steer clear of bar street! It might be difficult as there is little else on offer as far as drinking joints are concerned but what once was a popular and thriving nightlife center is now run down and tacky. Drinks here are generally watered down, staff rude and drinkers tend to be very young and rowdy. When walking past ‘Flairs’ or ‘Boogies’, the touts will try and tempt you but resist…it’s for your own good! Head to classier and less garish places in town such as ‘Temple’ or ‘Viejo’. Bars by the harbour tend to be tourist traps but if you head into the old town, you will find some lovely spots. However, I would recommend heading to bar street for a kebab though! Out of Africa does the best kebabs and Greek gyro I’ve ever had!

The Paphos hillside at sunset

4. What’s your favorite restaurant in Paphos and what’s good there?

For Cypriot dishes, I head to Myrna taverna in town. The Meze there is astounding and all their prices are very reasonable. Should you fancy something different, I would recommend Poppadoms Indian restaurant on the Tomb of the Kings road. The manager and his wife are experts in the cuisine so any question can be answered and they are happy to recommend a mixture of dishes to suit. Not to mention, the food is out of this world!

5. What made you fall in love with Paphos?

The way of life. Things happen a bit slower here and you learn to be a little more patient, or perhaps a little less concerned with the unimportant. People seem to have their priorities right; family and friends come first. I love living my life outside in the sunshine and on the beach and I can see the Mediterranean Sea from my bedroom window. It’s a place for living life…and that’s not even including the food or the friendly locals!

6. Where else can we find your work/writing?

At present I am working as a freelance illustrator, some of my pieces being inspired by my island. You can find my work here: https://www.facebook.com/ellie.illustrates?fref=ts
and here: http://bedfordellie.wix.com/ellie-illustrates

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Visiting Paphos? Make sure to check out Ellie’s Paphos 3-Day Itinerary: Live like a local! itinerary.

Itinerary Writer Spotlight: Austen Weymueller – Portland

Jason@Unanchor.com (Jason Demant) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 11:33:53 +0000

In our “Itinerary Writer Spotlight” series, we interview our newest Unanchor writers and find out more about their city. Enjoy!

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1. Who are you? Where are you from? What do you do?

My name is Austen Weymueller, and I’m currently an art student in Portland, OR. I spend my time working for and planning out the next trip, in between finding enough time to make art and go to class and sleep and salsa dance.

I have lived in three countries, traveled to 12, and am in the middle of learning five languages. Despite my obviously chronic wanderlust, one of my favorite things in the world is curling up by the fire with a cuppa tea and a good book on a rainy day. This is my first foray into travel writing, and I’m hoping it will be something I can do for a long, long time.

2. What are the top 3 things to do/see in Portland?

1. Spend a rainy afternoon in Powell’s, at the coffee shop. You can bring books from the store into the cafe, and take as long as you like over a cup of coffee. There’s plenty of communal seating as well, so you will usually end up meeting at least one new person during an afternoon.
2. See a show at one of the main venues, like the Crystal Ballroom or the Wonder Ballroom. Every so often the Crystal will do shows for $1 (crazy!!), and they get jam-packed with happy dancing people pretty quick.
3. Take a walk through SE Portland, looking for ‘free boxes’. Take a look on Craigslist before you go, just to see if there are any listed, but honestly it’s normal to stumble across at least five if you don’t mind taking the time. Sometimes you can find gems in these cardboard boxes; I once found a Marvin Gaye CD and pair of nice shades.

3. What are the top 3 tourist traps to avoid in Portland?

1. The Pittock Mansion, hands down. Apparently it’s haunted – but it’s not really, it’s not an incredibly impressive building, architecturally-speaking, and there are far better views of Portland than the one offered up here.
2. Jake’s is one of those restaurants that you will be told is ‘the place to go’. Personally, I think it’s overrated. The food is fine, but it’s all so incredibly expensive and white-tablecloth-y that I find it a tad on the pretentious side of things.
3. I honestly can’t think of any others…it never occurred to me that Portland was a place where tourists went, so I’m not entirely sure what they get up to when they’re here.
PLEASE NOTE: A lot of people will tell you that Voodoo Doughnuts is a tourist trap. It is. BUT, it’s also just a doughnut, so if you’re feeling like you want a doughnut, you should totally go! Not a big deal.

This is about as classic Portland as it gets - I can't tell you how many Portlanders have tattoos of this sign.

4. What’s your favorite restaurant in Portland and what’s good there?

Santeria is my absolute favorite restaurant. It’s a tiny Mexican joint attached to a strip club (they share a bathroom), and they serve up the best tacos and margaritas in town. It’s open late, til 2am, which is a huge plus because so many restaurants close early in Portland. I almost always get a carnitas, a chicken, and a fish taco – they run you a couple of bucks each, the salsas are spicy, the cilantro is fresh, and the blackberry margarita compliments the flavors perfectly.

5. What made you fall in love with Portland?

It was a gradual process, and I think I realized it at various points along the way. Wandering in the misty Portland rain (sans umbrella) with a cup of (great) coffee in hand taking photographs. Jumping up and down in the basement of a house show listening to some pop-punk band I’d never even heard of. Taking the bus to my senior year prom. Chatting with street musicians about the power of lyrics. Walking across the Hawthorne Bridge at night with the skyline all lit up. It was any number of these little things that make Portland so particular and lovely that made me fall head over heels for this beautiful city.

6. Where else can we find your work/writing?

At the moment, nowhere online – working on becoming more active with all this social media stuff. As soon as I have a website up and working, I’ll make sure to let everyone know.

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Visiting Portland? Make sure to check out Austen’s Three Days Livin’ as a True and Local Portlander itinerary.

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Itinerary Writer Spotlight: Stephanie Dourvaris – Singapore

Jason@Unanchor.com (Jason Demant) — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 11:33:06 +0000

In our “Itinerary Writer Spotlight” series, we interview our newest Unanchor writers and find out more about their city. Enjoy!

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1. Who are you? Where are you from? What do you do?

I’m Steph, a 25 year old traveler that recently quit the day job in B2B marketing, to go backpacking around Australia – I have itchy feet and traveling has been something I’ve been wanting to do forever – and also hopefully help me move towards travel marketing. I’m a bit of a mix when it comes to nationalities, including Greece, which is where I grew up.

2. What are the top 3 things to do/see in Singapore?

I would say the top 3 on my list are the following:

The Southern Ridges: A nature walk with architectural bridges, amazing views of the city, monkeys freely running around and just a peaceful hike through different types of forest areas, parks, etc.

Gardens by the Bay: With these amazing Super Trees that make you feel like you’re taking a walk through the movie Avatar … this place is on my top 3 because it is something you wouldn’t get to see anywhere else in the world, truly unique to Singapore and absolutely fascinating and gorgeous.

Marina Bay Sands: With a variety of things to see including the infinity pool, spectacular views of the Marina Bay area at night, the helix bridge and the magnificent light and water show, the Marina Bay Sands hotel and bay are not to be missed, there is always some form of entertainment for everyone here.

3. What are the top 3 tourist traps to avoid in Singapore?

Remember that restaurant and bar prices don’t usually include the extra 10% GST and 7% service charge, which can be misleading.

Avoid the tourist shops at the sites, which overcharge on items and head instead to Chinatown and Bugis market for some bargains.

If you are staying in Singapore for more than 2-3 days and or plan to come back, it is probably worth spending your money on an ez-link card for public transport as opposed to buying a tourist card for 1 day or 3 days, as it will work out cheaper.

Singapore's Marina Bay by night

4. What’s your favorite restaurant in Singapore and what’s good there?

I loved PS. Cafe on Dempsey Hill – it is located a bit out of the city and is surrounded by trees and greenery making you feel like you’ve escaped the quick-paced city life and are having lunch in a forest far far away. The atmosphere and ambiance of the place is worth visiting.

5. What made you fall in love with Singapore?

The nature, beauty and diversity of the country. There is so much to see and do for all types of people including rich and glamorous, nature and photography lovers, immersing yourself into the different cultural districts which are very representative of the authentic areas (Little India, Chinatown, Arab street etc). There is always something breathtaking or artistic to see around Singapore.

6. Where else can we find your work/writing?

I have only just started writing but I will keep my profile updated when I make my blog live and with other places you can find my writing!

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Visiting Singapore? Make sure to check out Stephanie’s The Affordable Side of Singapore: A 4-Day Itinerary.