Lupo Restaurant and Vinoteca

It’s one of the most hidden classy, romantic gems in the city. The Italian cuisine is known for it’s comfort, delicious set of choices and is fantastic for those who love to eat around a fireplace during the chilly winter months.

Raincity Grill

The view from this restaurant is perfect for a Vancouver newbie. The amazing view of the English Bay along with the modern art ambiance is more than you can ask for. The restaurant is known well for it’s lovely outdoor patio and outstanding brunch menu.

Chambar Belgian Grill

If your looking for a snazzy, stylish and hip restaurant this is the place to try out. It’s not only romantic but it’s great to have a class of wine with a few friends too. The location is another highlight considering it located near the top tourist locations within the city. Its near the GM Place, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, and on a very popular street called Beatty Street.

Simply Thai Restaurant

If you’re looking for something a little different, this Thai place is a must! The dishes are well known by all locals. Some dishes include Thai Basil and Keffir Lime leaf. It’s a mix of goodness!

What top 3 pieces of advice would you give women 18 and under who want to travel on their own?

• Be aware of your surroundings at all times and always look at the positive outcome, rather than thinking the worse.

Book Room 77 is one stop to find and book your next hotel room. It’s a pretty cool website, check it out!

A little history

Tanya and myself started this blog over two years ago and it all started because we wanted to share our travel experiences with you. And thanks to your support we have successful made a travel blog become a helpful resource for travelers of all ages.

Tanya and myself have full-time jobs, but our true passion has always been traveling. Which is why a few times a year we take adventurous trips, to explore new cultures. And overall we have visited to 50 countries and still counting. With these travel experiences we have gathered many wonderful, and unique stories that are written on OTB.To us, it’s a great delight to write about something we love so much and also hearing your travel stories. Even though the both of us have full-time jobs in Canada, we are always updating our blog with informative articles. Although, there are days where it can be difficult to find the time to write, with work and completing extra school credits (Masters), and having boyfriends (Nara now has a Fiancé – so wedding planning has begun). Yet, when it comes down to enjoying a latte and writing an article, Tanya and I LOVE it!!!

So we both hope that you enjoy our articles as much as we love writing them. We also love to hear your feedback, so please tell us what you think of OTB!!

From coastal walks along rugged cliff tops to mountain climbs in some of the most breath-taking scenery in the UK, Wales can challenge walkers of all ages and abilities. The abundance of lovely Welsh cottages dotted all the country also means you can escape it all and relax in a calming environment.

Here we select five of the best areas for backpackers to discover.

Brecon Beacons

This mountain range in the south of Wales is a particularly beautiful region of the UK and there’s no end of choice in this area. Go caving, climbing, cycling, fishing, horse riding, kayaking, walking and much, much more here, or just find out more about the multitude of nearby charming market towns, castles and other sites of interest. Check out Henrhyd Falls, a 90-foot waterfall, and it may be worth considering cycling or walking along the Taff Trail, which is an 88-km route between the town of Brecon and Cardiff Bay.

Ceiriog Valley

Former UK Prime Minister Lloyd George famously described Ceiriog Valley as “heaven on Earth” and it certainly is an area of natural beauty not far from the border between England and Wales. Go pony trekking, mountain biking or walking here and see Pistyll Rhaeader in all its glory. Pistyll Rhaeader, which is 240-feet tall, is the highest waterfall in the whole of Wales and indeed the tallest single drop waterfall in the UK. There are four different walking trails located in and around Pistyll Rhaeader, with a walk to suit the fitness of walkers both young and old.

Llyn Coastal Path

At some 146km, Llyn Coastal Path is a footpath that stretches from Caernarfon to Porthmadog. Either do the entire walk over the course of a few days or just pick a section of it and roam around the coastline in north-west Wales, stopping off in the various different harbours and towns for a spot of refreshment or to tuck into local delicacies like bara brith (fruit cake), cawl (a soup containing beef or lamb) and laverbread (seaweed fried with bacon).

Moel Famau

See as far away as Blackpool Tower, the Isle of Man and Liverpool in the distance on a clear day from the top of Moel Famau, a hill in north Wales. A host of interesting wildlife live in and around Moel Famau, from rare birds to foxes and badgers. The remains of Jubilee Tower, which was built in 1810, await those who clamber the hill. Interestingly, a huge crowd of walkers recently celebrated the 200^th anniversary since the first stones of Jubilee Tower were laid.

Snowdonia

The views from the top of Moel Famau may be special, but they are nothing compared to those from the top of Snowdonia,the highestmountain in Wales.At 3,560ft above sea level, Snowdonia is also one of the biggest, not to mention challenging, peaks in Britain. If, for whatever reason, you don’t fancy walking up to the summit yet still want to take in the stunning vista from the peak or are too tired to walk back down then hop on board the Snowdon Mountain Railway, a 7km track that stops and starts at Llanberis station.

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August and the Edinburgh Fringe has now established itself as one of the greatest

comedy festivals. But beyond both of these contrasting cultural experiences there

are many other events around Edinburgh which do not involve quite the same

throng but still offer the chance to see some memorable comedy, literature, music

and art. Mackays has some wonderful Scottish cottages nearby from which to enjoy

the shows.

The Pittenweem Arts Festival that is held in this pretty fishing village of winding

streets. The festival uses this back drop to showcase drawings, millinery along with

over a 100 artists exhibiting all around the village. Almost every other house,

garage and garden will be a makeshift gallery.

Nearby Arncroach is a peaceful place within easy reach of Pittenweem, sandy

beaches and picturesque the fishing ports along the coast. Here Mackays offers a

charming Scottish holiday cottage with has beautiful views over the coastal villages

to the sea and the Isle of May. This is a large property sleeping 10 so why not bring

the family and enjoy area together?

Alternatively why not try the Fringe by the Sea in North Berwick. Combining comedy

with music the week of events is a breath of fresh sea air to the Edinburgh Fringe.

So as well as Eddi Reader you can also see Gervais Fin, Capercaillie and Phil

Cunningham in this pretty East Lothian town.

Mackays self catering Scotland has two excellent Scottish cottages that are ideally

situated for family holidays just a few miles down the coast from North Berwick.

They are within a few minutes’ walk of the village centre and the long sandy beach

for which Gullane is renowned. The owner would be pleased to organise golf on

various local courses by prior arrangement. The surrounding area offers excellent

leisure and recreational facilities for all ages and abilities.

Within 30 miles of Edinburgh the Innerleithen Music Festival is the place for celtic

music with two big concerts to enjoy along with lots of up and coming Scottish

musicians. Mackays self catering Scotland has a delightful, detached stone built

Scottish cottage less than five miles from Innerleithen. Over 100 years old the

cottage stands in its own garden which has a private driveway and lovely raised

patio with chiminea and garden furniture. The cottage retains much original period

character and the compact rooms are freshly decorated, light and sunny with most

attractive and comfortable furnishings. The cottage is warm, cosy and welcoming,

ideal for a break at any time of the year.

Mackays self catering Scotland has many Scotland holiday homes near

Culloden. To find all their cottages in Scotland visit www.Mackays-self-catering.co.uk

Affordable holiday cottages deals in Yorkshirealso allow visitors to be based pretty much right in the thick of some diverse walking trails that take in the unique and charming countryside of the region.

Here, we’ve picked out a selection of the best walks in Yorkshire, with something for walkers of all ages and abilities.

The Three Peaks

Yorkshire’s famous Three Peaks are made up of three mountains, Ingleborough, Pen-y-ghent and Whernside. All three are in close proximity to each other and combine to make the ultimate test of walking endurance. Scale all the trio of mountains in one day and try to complete the 38km (24 miles) walk as quickly as possible, or just settle for tackling one of Ingleborough, Pen-y-ghent and Whernside as they all offer something different.

Ingleton Waterfalls 

A short distance away from the Three Peaks is Ingleton Falls, a short trail that leads you through woodlands, alongside splendid waterfalls and the picture-perfect Yorkshire countryside. At 8km (4.5m), it represents more of a gentle stroll, but if you’re close to either Ingleborough, Pen-y-ghent or Whernside and have something left in the tank after scaling one of them then the effort will reap rich reward.

The Leeds-Liverpool Canal

Spanning some 204km (127m) between two of the biggest cities in the UK, the Leeds-Liverpool canal is not only a feat of engineering brilliance, it’s also offers a walk with a difference. While the terrain is predominately flat for the duration of the walk, the distance is the main challenge. Fortunately, there are various pubs lining the route that you can stay in and get some refreshment in so the walk can be broken up into manageable chunks over the course of several days in succession.

Meanwood Valley Trail 

Staying in and around Leeds, the Meanwood valley trailoffers a pleasant11km (7m) meander through some of the suburbs on the edge of the city. There are signs that line the route giving interesting information about the local wildlife that you may come into contact with as you head through areas like Adel, Breary Marsh, Golden Acre Park and Meanwood at a leisurely pace.

Robin Hood’s Bay To Whitby

Strolling along the cliffs on the east coast of England is an exhilarating experience, with the walk from Robin Hood’s Bay to Whitby a rewarding 17km (11m) walk. Arriving in Whitby harbour on foot is something very special and what better way to relax after an invigorating walk than by tucking into a hearty portion of that much-loved English cuisine fish and chips while you watch the sun set over the coastal town.

So, there’s a few walks to consider embarking on, but if all this sounds like too much hard work and you just fancy taking it easy, beach holidays in Yorkshireare another option to think about.

This article was brought to you by Yorkshire-cottages.

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Everybody eats fish and chips all the time

 While fish and chips are a popular takeaway food in the UK, it’s seen more as a rare treat than a staple part of the diet. The Brits are often accused of eating bland food, but the reality is a very different story. Cuisine from all over the world is readily available in most towns and cities and Brits are far more adventurous in the kitchen than people give them credit for. Nor do Brits don’t tuck into a full English breakfast every morning or drink endless cups of tea in a day or like warm beer.

Every Englishman talks like Hugh Grant 

Wrong. Very wrong. Regional accents in England mean that every area has its own unique identity. Up on the Northumbria coast and countryside, for instance, you have strong regional dialects in places in Newcastle, while people living at other opposite end of England talk very differently.

Bad teeth are rife among Brits

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly where this train of thought has come from, although cult TV shows such as The Simpsons have played on it, as did the makers of the Austin Powers films. Yet, dental hygiene standards in the UK are high. Granted, Brits may not undergo as many aesthetic procedures as their counterparts in other countries, but they still take great care of their gnashers.

It’s grim up t’north

London may be the capital of England, but there’s much more to see and do besides visiting only the city’s attractions. Head north and an array of interesting cities like Liverpool and Manchester are definitely on the up, while counties such as Lancashire and Yorkshire boast some of the most stunning scenery in the UK.

The weather is always terrible 

Yes, Britain does get its fair share of rain, but the weather by and large is not that bad as a general rule of thumb. Of course, it gets cold in winter – and last December was the coldest for 100 years – and there’s the odd flurry snow between November and March, but the summer months can be pleasant enough, with temperatures easily hitting the early 80s degrees Fahrenheit. Just be sure to pack a coat to be on the safe side.

Brits are not accepting of other cultures

Countries such as England are multicultural and incredibly ethnically diverse, especially in cities such as London and Birmingham. It’s thought that as many as 300 different languages are spoken in London alone, which firmly banishes the belief that Brits are not accepting of other cultures or traditions.

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Some people like to unwind in a spa, some have a passion for fashion, some like to party night after night and others like to be wined and dined in style.

Here are five suggestions of possible girly activities for anyone thinking of heading to iconic European cities such as Barcelona, Berlin, Cardiff, Copenhagen or London in the not too distant future.

The Academy of Burlesque & Cabaret (Cardiff)    

The burlesque boom continues and more and more women, it seems, want to learn all about the art of seduction. You can do precisely that at Cardiff’s Academy of Burlesque & Cabaret in the form of interesting and entertaining tutorial lessons that are fun and bound to get a few pulses racing. With hotels in Cardiff Wales to fit every budget and classes to suit beginners and experts alike, women of all ages can get involved and do everything from the can-can to something a little more seductive.

The Badeschiff (Berlin)

The German capital city of Berlin has a real diverse and vibrant entertainment scene and proof of that can be found at The Badeschiff. It looks like an ordinary outdoor swimming on first inspection, but it’s more than that. Much more, in fact. A floating pool, open-air bar and a beach-style sunbathing area can be found onsite and visitors can also enjoy massages, expert fitness tuition, concerts and nightclub parties. This really is the place to go and been seen during the summer months as well as in the winter, when the saunas ensure you keep the cold at bay.

El Born (Barcelona)

There’s really no need to talk up Barcelona because it deserves the lofty praise it so often receives from tourists. Part of the charm and appeal of a city such as Barcelona is areas such as El Born. The maze of streets is lined with inviting bars, cafes, restaurants and shops, as well as a beautiful cathedral to have a look around. The beach is also just a 10-minute walk away, which means a weekend in Barcelona can bring together various different aspect – sun, sea, sand, shopping and sangria!

Christiania (Copenhagen)

Copenhagen is an extremely expensive city to visit. Fortunately, though, Christiania (Danish Website) is part of the Danish city where you can find plenty of bargain buys and enjoy some cut-price food and drink. For those of you who may have never heard of Christiania, it’s a commune famous for its lax laws, which means pretty much anything goes. Explore the weird and wonderful shops here, listen to live music in one of the bars or indulge in a bit of people spotting and simply watch the world go by.

Dans le Noir (London)

Every girl enjoys fine dining and the food served up at Dans le Noir will get your taste buds tingling like no other restaurant in Europe. The concept behind Dans le Noir is simple yet delivers spectacular results. Diners go on a culinary journey as they eat and drink in the dark, which is intended to heighten the senses. To make it a real night to remember then combine a visit to this trendy London eatery with a trip to a see a show in the city’s glamorous West End. From Legally Blonde to Shrek, there’s bound to be a show that you fancy watching.

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Charter travel has a few common advantages. The following are the most beneficial for travelers:

The first outstanding quality that you will notice when you decide travel charter is a noticeably high level of luxury. At the lowest level of charter luxury, you have bus charters. When high school, college, and professional organizations need to take long trips, bus charters are often used. Most bus charter interiors include comfortable seats, a decorated interior, and restrooms. Next up are limousine charters. Typically limousine charters are very luxurious; they’re equipped with very comfortable seats, the latest entertainment media, and a very classy feel. Although they seat less, they exude professionalism and elegance. Lastly, jet charters offer the highest level of luxury. On your normal jet charter flight you can expect to be served gourmet food, receive the best customer service, have the most comfortable seat, and have the latest entertainment media available.

Another benefit to traveling charter is a reduced level of travel stress and anxiety. Charter travel pretty much eliminates all travel stresses because of the service and partial exclusivity that it offers. If you decide to use a jet charter, you won’t have to worry about waiting in long lines at the airport, mishandled luggage, or missed flights. You can show up right on time for your flight and your luggage comes with you on the plane! Bus charters will offer you a comfortable seat, side luggage storage, and a no overly crowded bus rides. Lastly, limousines will offer you extreme exclusivity and a relaxing but stylish ride to your destination.

Most people assume charter travel is unaffordable, but the truth is that it’s very affordable. There are many promotional offers that charter travel companies give to customers. Often companies will offer group discounts and special travel packages. Make sure that you shop around to find the best deal for you.

These combined advantages make charter travel the premier way to travel. Book a charter for your next adventure!