sharethelocal-blog

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The winner of the best local burger competition is...

th_ermo 

- with his picture of the best burger in Vilnius. Pickles always included. 

th_ermo, please get in touch with us through our "contact us" button and we will let you now how you can collect your prize. We hope you'll enjoy it!

Stay Local, 

Share the Local

[sharethelocal-blog]

RIO DE JANEIRO - by our local friend Valerie

I moved to Rio three years ago, and I’m absolutely in love with this city! The city is built around the beaches and with mountains and amazing rain forests around it. There is always something new to discover and tons of outdoors activities to try out. It’s wonderful to have a big city in this paradise environment. Make sure to stay long enough so you’ll have time to explore all that Rio has to offer. People from Rio are called “cariocas”, and I almost feel like a carioca by now.

Hikes Something very unique about Rio is the different views from all the mountains. You can hike up almost all of the tops, but make sure to find a good guide to bring with you since the tracks can be hard to find for a beginner. You can find guides on google or here: http://www.trilhaape.com.br/index_eng.php. My favourite tracks are Pedra da Gavea (the highest coastal mountain in the world) and Dois Irmaos (meaning “two brothers” in Portuguese). Both of these hikes have different views, and even if it might be a bit difficult at times, the reward when you reach the top is priceless. You can also take a lot of cool pictures from up there! 

Sunset When you come to Rio, you have to watch the sunset at Azul Marinho in Arpoador. You can enjoy a Caipirinha (the national drink) and see one of the most famous sunsets in the world. When the sun goes down behind the Dois Irmaos Mountain, everybody claps their hands. There is usually live music or capoeira shows by the beach at this time of day. 

Me and the sunset 

Acaí If you're in Rio, you got to try acaí! It’s a purple ‘super fruit’ berry from the Amazon that they make a sort of sorbet of and serve in a bowl. It’s filled with healthy antioxidants and vitamins. The best acaí bowl you can find is at Universo Organico in Leblon. Their acaí is organic and not filled with sweet guarana syrup. They serve it together with raw granola and papaya. It’s so satisfying and just amazing!

Acaí bowl served with granola and papaya at Universo Organico in Leblon

Balada Mix is another restaurant and juice bar that is perfect for a light lunch, a quick juice or acaí. They have several restaurants all over Rio, almost one in every neighborhood. Try their Detox Juice made of coconut water, pineapple, lime, ginger and kale. They also have great acaí bowls, but remember to ask for less guarana syrup so it’s less sweet.

Remember to drink tons of fresh coconuts on the beach! It’s hydrating and delicious! 

Paddle boarding and Kite Surfing Paddle boarding and Kite Surfing are other incredible outdoor activities that give you the chance to see Rio from the sea. They have several places that rent out paddle boards on the beach in Ipanema, Leblon and Copacabana, but remember to go in the morning before the waves are too strong. Another great place to paddle board and kite surf is in Barra de Tijuca. Go to my friends at Kite Point: https://www.facebook.com/KitePointteamnogueira

Paddle boarding 

Hotel Santa Teresa Hotel (http://santa-teresa-hotel.com/) is a wonderful boutique hotel in the bohemian neighborhood Santa Teresa. You can sit by the pool and look over almost the whole city. The hotel also has a great restaurant and a nice spa. The neighborhood of Santa Teresa is very interesting and up-and-coming. You should also try the restaurant Aprazível in Santa Teresa, where you can enjoy a dinner high up in a tree house. 

If you want to stay more central by the beach and have a tighter budget you should definitely check in at Fasano in Ipanema. They have the best rooftop in Rio with views over Ipanema and Leblon. It’s designed by Philippe Starck and also has a great restaurant and bar. But very pricy! Info: http://www.fasano.com.br/hotelaria/hotel/2 

Lunch places Org. Bistro @ Barra de Tijuca. Cozy and really yummy lunch place in Barra de Tijuca. Everything is gluten free, lactose free and 100 % organic. There are always two daily dishes to chose from.

Gula Gula is a restaurant located in several location in Rio. They have everything from salads to steaks. You can chose two salads on your plate. I love the chicken/quinoa salad together with the palm heart salad. Also great juices and desserts! 

Gavea Beach Club @ Sao Conrado. On the beach in Sao Conrado, they have the best quiosque in Rio. It’s an Italian lady who owns it, so of course their pasta is amazing, but they also have healthy choices like grilled fish and fresh juices. It’s hard to find a good place to eat by the beach in Rio, but here you have a great option! 

Celeiro in Leblon is a trendy organic lunch place where you take food from a buffet and pay by weight. The food is really tasty and healthy but it’s quite expensive. Nice for a long lunch with friends! 

Dinner spot Got to say Sushi Leblon, in Leblon of course, because it fun for people watching and is always crowded. Try their butter fish (peixe manteiga) with truffle. Brazil has the largest Japanese population outside of Japan, so it’s actually a special experience. If you stay longer and are open for a longer cab ride you should visit Irajá Gastro in Botafogo! 

Pedra do sal - Secret Samba Every Monday, people meet at an historic but pretty shady area in the city center of Rio to listen and dance to live samba music. It’s located near the Praca Maua and the docks. This was the place where they drained salt, which at the time was used as money. It was also a point for exchange and sales of slaves. Today, it attracts samba dancers, professionals and amateurs. They sell food, beers and Caipirinhas in small stands all over the place, and it’s a very casual environment. And it's free. Well worth the visit! Attention with the rain: the place is open-air so the event does not happen under heavy rain. Keep updated though their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Roda-de-Samba-Pedra-do-Sal/336352919743450

Nightclub I don’t go out much in Rio but if you’re looking for a nightclub I could recommend The Cave. It’s sort of an alternative club with really good music. The club closes when the last people leave around 9 am in the morning.

Get away? Arraial do Cabo is located next to Buzios, about a two-hour drive from Rio. It’s a natural reserve, and the water is crystal clear and the sand white and fine. You can only reach the beaches by boat so the best way is to talk to one of the fishermen in the little village and pay them to take you on a tour. You can see giant turtles and even whales. It’s a real paradise! 

Paraty is a cute authentic colonial town about a two and a half hours drive from Rio. It’s close to Angra, which is an archipelago of 365 paradise islands. In Paraty, you can also rent a little boat to go around all the different islands. The town is very cute, and there is a lot to see and do. Stay at Casa Turquesa! 

If you would like to see more pictures from Rio you are welcome to have a look at my instagram: valeriewigardt

Stay Local, Valerie

Picture source: All pictures are taken by Valerie

[sharethelocal-blog]

Saturday playlist: Brazil

Get in the mood for tomorrow´s post about Rio de Janeiro by listening to the tunes of this Saturday playlist with a mix of artists from Brazil! 

Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/user/sharethelocal/playlist/5nssXvEphL5cg0oxKe7Vx3 

Stay local! Louise

[sharethelocal-blog]

FORTUNE TELLING IN LA PAZ

If you find yourself headed to La Paz within the near future, consider stopping by one of the city’s fortune tellers. But aren’t there like a million of this kind in La Paz, you might ask? Yes, and they all seem to attract tourists galore, but not this guy. He is the ultimate—he is like the Taj Mahal of La Paz’ fortune tellers.

My sister and myself were introduced to him by an elderly Bolivian couple we encountered upon arriving in La Paz. They told us he is a highly respected and sought after figure, and that the (rather superstitious) locals—often the women—turn to him whenever they are about to make major life decisions. He can be found on the corner of Melchor Jimenéz and Santa Cruz where his pastimes include tossing around and blowing on coca leaves while he mumbles all these words to himself with a far-away look on his face.

He speaks Spanish only, and so I had to riffle my brains for my long-forgotten high school Spanish when I visited him. He starts off by asking you specifically what you would like to know about your future, so make up your mind before seeing him.

If I haven’t been clear about this, this is a fun and unique experience. Expect to queue for a bit, but not even a worry—you will have before you a melting pot of cute bowler hats, billowing skirts and colorful scarves in the meantime.

The streets of La Paz

Stay Local, Julie

P.S. Keep in mind that he doesn’t like having his photo taken (which is why I don’t have any and had to find one online)!

Photo source: dareimage 

[sharethelocal-blog]

One day in Toronto – By our local friend Milana

If this is your first time in Toronto, or even if it´s not, and you wish to spend at least one of your days here just like a local, then here are some ideas of what you could do!

A great summer Sunday in Toronto starts with brunch, which by some accounts is the closest thing to religion that the city of Toronto has. On any given weekend at any time of year, all of the brunch restaurants are overflowing with people hoping to get their day off to a good start. To get your brunch fix, head to Liberty Village and find Mildred´s Temple Kitchen (85 Hanna Ave) and order a Caesar or a mimosa like the locals do. Also, try a biscuit or scone, they’re supposed to be some of the best in the city! But get there early (it opens at 10am) - Mildred’s is one of the most popular brunch places in town and if you snooze for too long, you’ll be stuck waiting in line.

Mildred’s Temple Kitchen

Once you’re seriously full, walk off the feeling by strolling through some of the cool shops in liberty village before making your way to the east end. On Sunday’s there is an antiques market held at St. Lawrence Market (92-95 Front Street East) where you can peruse for old vintage treasures. Around 2pm, walk west along Front Street and find the Rogers Centre to take in a baseball game (the locals sit in the 500 level and tickets cost around $15). It’s a great way to spend a day with friends enjoying a cold beer and the summer sun.

Blue Jays Game

After the game ends, head to Union station and take the TTC on the University Line to Queen’s Park Station. Once at Queen’s Park, take the 306 street car to College at Bathurst. Walk the remainder of the way (heading west) and just before the College and Palmerston Ave intersection you will find a restaurant called La Carnita on the south side of College Street. This place has some of the best tacos in the city of Toronto for a very reasonable price. Start your meal off with Mexican Street Corn, which is topped with Mexican crema, queso anjo, arbol and ancho chili powder. As a main, order from the a la carte taco menu where you can try as many varieties of tacos as you wish. The fish tacos are very good. To finish, cool your taste buds off with a delicious cookies and cream Popsicle. (If Mexican is not your idea of great food, Toronto has an amazing and diverse food scene where you can find delicious meals from all over the world.)

La Carnita

Once out, if you desire, take a stroll through the heart of little Italy. Before dusk, get on the 511 street car on Bathurst and get off at Bathurst Station. Transfer to the number 2 Street car heading east and get off at St. George Station. You are now in Yorkville, one of the priciest neighborhood’s in Toronto. If you wish, take a stroll through the charming streets and shops. For the grand finale to your perfect Toronto day, head to the Park Hyatt and go to the rooftop bar. Order a cocktail and enjoy the sunset and the amazing views of the city as the night falls before your eyes and the city starts to light up.

Park Hyatt Toronto View

So these were some of my local insights, however, this city has so much more to offer so if you ever get the chance to come and visit us - don´t hesitate! 

Hope to see you soon, and stay local.  Milana

Photo sources: torontoist, commons,  adrianbrijbassi, flickr, torontolife  

[sharethelocal-blog]

Win a burger! - For you and your friend

On the picture above, you can see the best local burger I have ever had. It is frighteningly delicious! You can find it at the very cool and friendly (rare combination…) restaurant Casual Street Food in Malmö, Sweden.

We would like to share this local experience with you—and that’s why you can now win two of these burgers for you and a friend!

This is the way to go about to enter the competition:

Instagram a picture of your “best local burger” with a short description of where it can be found – and why it is so good.

Use the hashtags #sharethelocal and #bestlocalburger

On Monday the 9th of March, the Share the Local team will announce the winner!

Meanwhile, get involved in the competition by sharing your best local burger experience, and make sure to stay local.

Anna

Photo source: instagram moveby 

[sharethelocal-blog]

Local in Thailand

Thinking of visiting Bangkok, Thailand? Then why not to do it in most local way possible! Our local friend Potchara has a couple of great recommendations for you. 

If you want to see the beauty of nature of Thailand Potchara has a destination in mind. You must visit Sakaerat Environmental Research Station (SERS), located northeast of Bangkok. The station is operated by the Thai government and can offer you a unique opportunity to hike or simply walk the trails depending on your preference. The special thing about this station is that you can experience the wildlife and nature of Thailand just outside the capital area. The wildlife in SERS is both exotic and interesting. It is the only place in Thailand where you can still get a chance to see the Siamese Fireback birds in their natural habitat. Moreover, there is also a large amount of mammals passing through the area including elephants, bulls and tigers. However, you should consider yourself lucky to spot them. Reptile, amphibian and insect lovers will be pleased too, as many of these species live in this area too. The forest is also magnificent! It is very well preserved and evergreen and it borders with a dry dipterocarp forest. When you leave one and enter the other, it seems as though you are passing through two different worlds?

The Siamese Fireback in SERS

Apart from nature, one thing you must see in Thailand according to our local friend is its culture! In order to find the real spirit of Thailand, you must leave Bangkok and visit a temple. You might want to plan this ahead, since temple visit days have to be schedule! Locals call these days “Wan Phra” (“Monk/Buddha day”). In the late morning, people gather around the temple hall where principle monk gives a lecture about Buddhism or how to live your life peacefully in this chaotic world. This is fundamental for each Thai person whose religion is Buddhism. Buddhists have no right to alter nature and other people’s free will. As such, they must adapt and live their lives peacefully, happily and contribute to well- being. For lunch, you can either dine with the rest of the people, or meditate for the rest of the day—or you can finish your experience of “Wan phra” day there. However, on special days such as Buddha’s birthday, you must stay and see the so called Triple Circumambulation! According to Potchara, this is the most beautiful ritual you will probably ever see. The monks with candles on their hands will lead the crowd around the temple hall three times, seeking to serve the purpose of rethinking and reflect on what each person have done in life. According to these monks and Buddhists in general, candles are very important because they signify life. They ignite, shine and fade.

Monks meditating in a temple

Having seen the wildlife, nature and culture of this country, you cannot leave Thailand without having tasted its best seafood. Just about 35 minutes north of Bangkok, the former capital of Thailand, Ayutthaya Province, is located. Along the river that flows through the town, you will find small restaurants specializing in various aspects of ancient Thai cuisine. Once there, you must visit a prawn restaurant where you can taste giant prawns, which are cooked using a traditional stove with wood charcoal to ensure an optimum temperature. You can order Thai lobster too, which can weight more than 750 grams. Because it is lacking its big claws, it is different from its western counterparts - and for that reason, it is often called crayfish.

I hope that you are amazed by these suggestions, which you might be part of by becoming a local in Thailand for at least a couple of days!

Stay local, 

Marija

Photo Source: Photo 1: imgkid, Potchara, pixshark

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Living like the Ikarians

Are you sick of running around everywhere and stressing out? You should take a break—and the best place to do so seems to be on Ikaria, a historical Greek island.

Here, the circadian rhythm is nowhere near the same as in the rest of the world. Sleep until midday, shop during the evening (or even during the night), and later enjoy the ‘Panigiri’ village parties with lots of food, famous strong red wine, and traditional local music and dancing… This is what a day in the life of the inhabitants normally looks like. As a result of this relaxed and unique attitude, the Ikarians have one of the highest life expectancies in the world.

So, are you ready to escape from a constant rush as well as increase your life duration? Jump onto the first possible means of transportation towards Ikaria and let yourself experience it!

Share the Local, Marija

Photo source: island-ikaria

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RWANDA AND UGANDA DIARIES

Tag along on an aesthetically pleasing journey through central and east Africa with our local friend Sine who knows her way around.

Rwanda’s tourism is hit hard. It might be due to the world still thinking of the country as a hub for people killing each other, but it is absolutely stunning, and the population is incredibly friendly. Rwanda is luxuriant in vegetation, and the locals speak of it as the Land of a Thousand Hills. If you plan to visit, Sine recommends you to stay at the most adorable hotel, which is located by Lake Kivu. It’s got a sweeping view of the lake that has you think you are part of a magical dream for a second. When she went, they were only four people staying there. The price for one night was about 7 USD, which she explains was excellent value for money. As you may know, Rwanda was torn apart by genocide in 1994, which caused 90 % of the Tutsis living in this area to get killed. As such, the locals are still reluctant to eat fish from the lake, as they believe these live off the dead bodies of their loved ones.

Lake Kivu, Rwanda

Did you know that Uganda is among the leading coffee-producing countries in the world? In Kampala, the bustling and slightly chaotic capital, you should head to 1000 Cups of Coffee, a cute café, which serves the best coffee Sine has had in all of Africa to this date. Keep up with the latest news from The East African, while cars and motorcycles rush past you on the street outside. Sine recommends you to stock up on textiles and garments made by local tailors here too—their creations are available for purchase at the café.

Coffee Break at ”1000 Cups of Coffee”

While in Kampala, make sure to stop by the city’s night market—according to Sine, this is your number one source for a local (and insanely cheap) meal. You sit on plastic chairs while you eat off a barbeque, and it tastes tremendous. Visiting after dark makes you unable to inspect the hygiene standards of the stalls, which is probably a good thing after all, she tells.

Night Market in Kampala

The world’s longest lake, the Nile, flows north for some 130 kilometers from Jinja in Uganda. Don’t miss the chance to see this. Also, the Nile is home to White Water Rafting—the hardest type of river rafting for amateurs (Sine was told). Each raft takes about four hours, and you go back and forth between lazy floating and action-packed rafting. Keep your eye out for monkeys hiding in the trees by the banks of the lake.

The Nile, Uganda

White Water Rifting, Uganda

In terms of transportation, motos are the way to go in both Rwanda and Uganda! Moto-taxis are cheap and provide a fun and effective (yet terrifying) experience. According to Sine, simply jump onto the back of one, and trust your moto-driver, as he tears off recklessly through the crowds.

Moto Riding

Lastly, the kids in these countries… Cuteness alert level: High! Also, they (obviously) don’t mind having their photo taken:

Cute p1. I

Cute pt. II

Thanks a million to Sine!

Stay local, Julie

(Photo Credits: All the gorgeous photos are taken by Sine herself)

[sharethelocal-blog]

Saturday Playlist: Africa

We welcome you to embrace the spirit of Africa by listening to the sound of this Africa playlist, which will hopefully put you in the right mood for tomorrow's post about two of the countries on this continent... Stay tuned!

Link to playlist on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnOhVVCx6spyQZkEv9AO28FwblEo-6JI

Link to playlist on Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/user/sharethelocal/playlist/2VQXpPymyCJs7aYYxDIfub

Stay local, Louise 

[sharethelocal-blog]

THE BUSHMAN - IN SAN FRANCISCO

Did you have a tough week? Are you happy it’s Friday, but still thinking about quitting your “nine to five job” and do something else with your life? Well, there are many options out there…

In San Francisco, a man known under the artist name “The Bushman” earns his money from a noteworthy act. He’s hiding behind eucalyptus branches, and when people walk by him, he brings the “bush” to life by shaking it. This freaks people out! And that’s the whole purpose of it.

The Bushman’s main target is tourists as the local San Franciscans are already well familiar with him and his performance. Seeing as you know about him by now, you can confidently act in a non-surprised manner when the moving bush appears. And there you go – CONGRATULATIONS - you have already passed San Francisco’s “tourist or local” test! 

Happy Friday, and don’t forget to stay local!

Anna

(Where to find The Bushman: Take a stroll along Fisherman's Wharf and you will see him)

Photo source: stevehuffphoto.com

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Welcome to Bergen, Norway! – By our local friend Synne

Bryggen, Bergen 

If you would like to experience one of Europe’s most beautiful cities with historical identity, Bergen is likely to be your next destination. Full of charming streets and cute houses, and surrounded by seven mountains, or “fjell” as the Norwegians say, this city offers a lovely scenery as well as great hiking opportunities. Bergen is also a student city where you find parties and fun activities going on around each corner. As I am a student here, I have experienced both hiking and sightseeing, and of course I am sort of a self-declared expert when it comes to what this city has to offer in terms of nightlife. Therefore, I will introduce you to the ultimate weekend in Bergen, things you just can’t miss:  

If you arrive on a Thursday night you must get your “raspeballer” (potato dumplings) at the restaurant Pingvinen. This is a local dish made of pork and potatoes, which is a specialty of the western part of the country. Thursday is also a big night out, and most of the bars and clubs are full. “Vaskeriet” is a new place that opened just recently that has become very popular. Here, you can play ping-pong in the early hours of the evening and dance into the night.

Raspeballer

Friday must start early with sightseeing. The ultimate route is to go for a stroll along “Bryggen” and enjoy the old houses and see the charm of the old “Hansa-stat” (see picture no. 1). Right behind the pier is a cafe called "Kaffemisjonen" where I think you should go for coffee. Once you have finished your walk along the pier, you can take “Beffen” (a small boat that crosses the water) to “Nordnes” and continue from there. From Nordnes, it doesn’t take long to get to “Verftet” where you can go for a swim and sunbathe (in summer, that is). In addition, here you find a lovely café called “Cafe Klippers” where you can enjoy a bottle of white wine while watching the sunset. On the way back to the center, you should make sure to walk pass “Klosteret” as this street has been voted the finest street of Europe. Major white wooden houses, cobblestone and flowers. Super charming. After a quick shower and an inexpensive (but delicious!) pizza at "Special", you can head over to “NoStress” and have a few drinks. I especially recommend you to try the Chili Martini. NoStress definitely serves the best cocktails in Bergen.

Beffen

Saturday is THE HIKING DAY, and “Fløyen” where you can see the whole city from above, is perfect for this. For those of you who are in better shape and want a workout, “Stoltz” is even steeper. Afterwards, you can have dinner at “Marg og Bones” at Høyden (an area in Bergen). If you are not too tired and would like to enjoy yet another night in this city, I would recommend the cocktails at “Ujevnt” or beers at “Henriks” and after that clubbing at “Landmark”. This is a nightspot that has a lot of good DJ´s and artists, both local and foreign and is depending on the evening a really cool place for dancing. Pretty hip! 

Fløyen

Sunday is the day for relaxation and maybe another tour around the city. Bring your lunch box to the “Muséhagen” and enjoy your dinner at “Bambus”, a Vietnamese restaurant.

Muséhagen

I really hope to see you here soon! 

Hade! …and stay local. Synne

Picture sources: Bryggen, Raspeballer, Beffen, Fløyen, Muséhagen

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KRAKOW = COOL

The Bunkier Café

If you find yourself headed to Poland within the near future, don’t miss out on Krakow. And if you have to choose between the capital Warsaw and Krakow? Still don’t miss out on Krakow.

Educational tone over.

Now that we have established your future Polish destination, let’s see what the coolness that is Krakow has to offer:

Krakow is a stunning old city that looks almost exactly as it did in the 1930s, seeing as it wasn’t (physically) affected by WW2. I have lost count of the number of photos I took of the beautiful city center (they are killing my hard drive), especially its old colorful buildings lying side by side, reminding me of Copenhagen’s Nyhavn, with which I’ve always had a slightly conflicted relationship. Krakow is not too big, and not too small, and you can probably see most of it in three or four days. Go during summer!

When you first wander its streets, Krakow presents itself like a melting pot of plastic chairs, fake flowers, neon colors and kitch. So much kitch that I am taking the trouble to hit the bold button (no, seriously, it is everywhere). However, when you get real’ familiar with it, you will be surprised to see how great it is. It is a place that really grows on you, if you will. Krakow has a vast number of parks, canals and squares that you can spend hours exploring. There are tons of museums, and the food scene is immense—try to avoid any restaurant that is mentioned in a guidebook though. Ask the locals! Or peek in the small backstreets and find one yourself.

… WHICH LEADS ME TO: The Bunkier Café, hidden away behind one of the city’s squares. It is more of a restaurant/bar/café, to be honest, as they serve (good) food all day, as well as drinks in the evening. Most of what they offer is amazing, and as is the case with anywhere else in Krakow, everything is insanely cheap. Go here for pancakes, eggs benedict and fresh juices in the morning; for sandwiches, salads and coffee during the day; and for organic cocktails in the evening. They have good taste in music, and the staff is the greatest. The café itself looks a bit like an old train station—it’s got bare brick walls, huge windows, and all its furniture is vintage. On warm days, they open up one whole side of the building (it’s mostly windows), extending the café onto the street and the nearby park. Ah, it is so lovely, and I guarantee that you can spend hours here.

The Bunkier Café

Stay local, Julie

Oh, and find it here:

Address: Bunkier Cafe
pl. Szczepański 3a,
31-000 KrakówWebsite: http://en.bunkiercafe.pl

(Photo Credits: http://en.bunkiercafe.pl/gallery/)

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Riga Insight - By our local friend Juliana

Have you heard about Latvia’s capital Riga? If not, you will be wise to stay tuned.

It is the city with the highest population of the three Baltic States, and it casts a magic spell on you every time you visit it. Juliana, a local friend of ours, has wrecked her brains for a few Riga tips, which will help you to get a unique local experience in the city.

If you happen to be in Riga on a Wednesday, Juliana recommends you to visit Piens Club for a glass of wine. If you are not a wine person, you can enjoy their amazing terrace and tasty burgers for too. Beer lovers should grab a beer from the new hip place Labietis on the opposite side of the terrace. Here, they serve different kinds of beer - even some with interesting tastes you might not have tried before. Since these two places are like friends, you can buy a beer from Labietis and a burger from Piens terrace and get the best from two worlds. Later on, you can continue your night upstairs in the cozy Piens Club. These places are located around 15-20 minutes by foot from the city center. Also, you can jump on tram no. 11 or trolleybus no. 3 to get there.

Club Piens, Riga

Thursday is a perfect day to join in on a number of events and get some local insights from the so-called Kalnciema Iela neighborhood, says Juliana. If you go during summer, you should go to open-air concerts, which, by the way, are free. When you get hungry, you can grab a few treats such as eco beer burgers offered by local companies, grab a glass of wine or a beer and enjoy local artists’ performances. During the wintertime, however, you might join other events depending on the city schedule. Every week, different events and themes are going on. If you are into arts and crafting, you must check the schedule and join at least one of them in order to see in fact how creative Latvians are.

Kalnciema Iela, Riga

If the weather is nice, definitely visit Cabo Café. It is a nice place to hang out and drink a beer by the lake in the city. If you are into water sports, you can rent windsurfing gear or sign up for yoga classes in the middle of the lake during summer. Super cool! According to Juliana, this is a place definitely worth visiting due to its views. The place is also located by the biggest park in Riga, called Mežaparks, where you can rent bikes or roller-skates and enjoy the pine trees. Moreover, it is very easy to get to! Just 25 minutes by tram nr. 11 from Riga’s city center.

When you are in Riga you MUST try the most traditional drink of Latvia, namely “Black Balsam”. Be prepared to taste something you have never tried before! It is an herbal liqueur made from natural ingredients mixed with pure vodka. The traditional recipe contains 24 different plants, flowers, juices, roots and oils. It is very useful for combating a cold or any digestive problems - or you can take it prophylactically too. You can enjoy it on its own, but the tastiest way to drink it is to mix the balsam with tea or coffee. Juliana suggests you to get yours at Star Lounge Bar located on the top of Albert Hotel. Aside from getting the best Black Balsams in town, you can also enjoy the stunning views of Riga’s city center.

Star Lounge Bar, Riga

If you want to try a traditional Latvian meal, Juliana recommends you to visit one of the Lido restaurants for dinner or lunch buffet at a very decent price. Here, you can grab dishes that locals love, such as zirņi ar speķi (peas with bacon), or enjoy a full traditional Latvian meal, which consists of beet soup, pot-cooked cabbage, a meat cutlet, sour milk, and some kvass. You can find Lido restaurants all over the city, but the biggest one with an entertainment complex is located in Rīgā, Ķengaraga ielā 3.

I hope that these tips given by our local friend Juliana will inspire you to include Riga on your future holiday destination list.

Stay Local, Marija

P.S. Thank you so much for recommendations, Juliana! Everyone who would like to get local insights of Lund, Sweden, should check out her blog: http://lundinsider.tumblr.com/

Photos sources: Riga, I love you!, foursquare, Kalnciema Iela, alberthotel

More information:

https://www.facebook.com/LIVERIGAcom?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Klubs-Piens/291006344318610?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/AlusDarbnicaLabietis/info?tab=overview

https://www.facebook.com/Kalnciemaiela?fref=ts

http://www.cabo.lv/lv/#

http://galleriariga.lv/en/terrace-riga

http://www.alberthotel.lv/

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The Robot Arm of Mr. Mofongo's Distillery

At Mr. Mofongo's, a hidden bar and restaurant in the city of Groningen, the Netherlands, you will have your cocktails served by no less than the robot arm Armando! 

Cool and true. Besides offering a wide variety of different liquids produced in their own distillery, the restaurant also has a good selection of food, a swift and friendly staff, and a great atmosphere. So whenever you have time to visit, aim for this location - Oude Boteringestraat 26, 9712 GJ Groningen, Nederland.

Here is a YouTube clip just to give you an idea of how this thing works! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qCZhpw1lto

Stay local!

Picture source: recensiekoning 

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THE PERFECTION THAT IS VICTORIA

Juan de Fuca Trail

Gorgeous beaches, daring cliff jumps, and bonfires galore... Add to that a splash of incredibly friendly locals and a bar that encourages you to sprinkle peanut shells all over their floor: Victoria, Canada, is likely to become a favorite of yours!

Upon asking my sister whether she could provide us with a couple of insider tips for Victoria, which is located on the southerntip of Vancouver Island off the Canadian west coast, she didn’t hesitate to go: Um, yes! She studied there for a semester and has spoken ever so highly of this place since returning from there.

Over the course of our conversation (which entailed mostly her talking enthusiastically about everything!), and after looking through her photos, I realized I wanted to there right away. I hope you feel the same way!

J: Thank you so much for doing this!

L: Aww, you are welcome! So, I was thinking I might not cover all the touristy stuff such as whale watching and visiting national parks, but rather talk about what the local Victorians like to do. Does that work?

J: Haha, it totally does.

L: OK, great. I won’t go into too much detail about Vancouver Island in general, but stick with Victoria and the area around it.

J: Perfect! 

L: So, you want to start off the day by getting up really early to hike Mt Douglas on the outskirts of Victoria. From here, you can see the sun rise over the city, the ocean and the surrounding mountains. The hike will take app. an hour, and it is SO worth it. The view is absolutely stunning.

I am guessing you might be hungry by now, so head back towards the city, and grab the best breakfast in town at Blue Fox Café (my local friend took me here on several occasions). They serve ten versions of eggs benny, and they are all superb!

One of the most Victorian things to do is probably hitch hiking, and so this is what you should do too. Hitch hike to Mystic Beach or Sombria Beach and hike (parts of) the gorgeous Juan de Fuca Trail. From here, chances are that you will see whales and/or bears (during the summer, at least).

Afterwards, I recommend you to bike (or catch the bus directly) to Lake Thetis. This is a beautiful, well, lake, haha, and you can walk all the way around it—or rock-jump (from 18 meters) into the clear freshwater and swim to a tiny island in the middle of it.

J: I know! Also, I heard this is one of very few places in the world with living fossils.

Lake Thetis 

L: Oh, I didn't know that. In the afternoon sun, you might want to play basketball with the locals on the courts in Topaz Park. They meet here regularly during the summer time, and everyone is welcome to join in. I made great friends here, so go go go!

J: That is so great. And you are still talking to most of them, aren’t you?

L: Yep. They are the absolute sweetest! Also, you have to take a walk along the harbor. If you are lucky, you get to see seals and sea otters.

Victoria Harbor Side

The best way to end the day’s activities is to walk along the Galloping Goose Trail by Dallas Road. From here, you can follow a staircase down to the beach. You are not allowed to make bonfires on the beach, but the locals do it anyway. If you walk behind the cliffs, you are likely to find one or two of them, and around them, people hang about drinking beers or smoking pot. It is perfectly normal to join in, so don’t hesitate to sit down and socialize. They would love that. (Keep in mind that Canada has an open container law, which means possession of open containers of alcohol in public is illegal. The locals don’t seem to mind this while on the beach, hidden away from the police, though).

For dinner, indulge yourself in seafood at Nautical Nellies, before you do as the locals do: go to a bar!

The best local bar is The Logan’s Pub, which is located in the lovely, rather hip, neighborhood Fernwood. This place has a great atmosphere, and bands are often playing here on weekends. This is definitely the top pick for people who want to avoid touristy spots. Don’t miss out on the bar Big Bad Johns either, even though it’s in the touristy end of town. Here, you get complimentary peanuts with you beer, and there is only one (weird) rule: You must throw the empty peanut shells on the floor! This means it is almost covered in shells by the end of the night, haha.

As a last thing, I recommend you to forget all about hotels, and instead camp outside of Victoria. The small campsites around the city are great places to meet locals—and again, they are stoked to encounter new people!

J: This all sounds so nice!

L: I am glad! So, this turned out to be more of a “One Day in Victoria” kind of thing. And very nature-focused. But Canadians love their nature!

J: Oh, not even a worry! I am sure our readers will be excited! Thank you so much!

L: You are welcome!

(Photo Credits: All photos are taken by Laura herself)

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SATURDAY PLAYLIST: CANADA

Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Arcade Fire and Alanis Morissette (did I not mention Celine Dion and Bryan Adams?)… This Saturday’s playlist is all about Canadian artists. We hope this will get you ready for tomorrow's post about local life in… Canada!

Link to playlist on Youtube:http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnOhVVCx6solsiff7oXYip1AXRAPcEMD

Link to playlist on Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/user/sharethelocal/playlist/2pHTg1Xs1geKuUfbnBW8dT

Enjoy the refreshing mix of new and old. Sorry about Justin B. but I just couldn't help myself…he is Canadian after all. 

Stay local, 

Anna