Best of Travel Blog WhyGo Travel Guides

Most loyal BootsnAll readers know that every day we post a featured travel article on our homepage. We also publish the occasional guest post, show you a wanderlust-inducing daily travel photo, connect you to other travelers in our forums, and offer up a whole host of travel tips and tools to help you plan your ideal trip, whether that be a solo trip around the world or a weekend road trip close to home.

But did you know we also host dozens of niche and destination-specific sites that offer in-depth information from experts? With a team of writers living all over the world, we cover 14 destinations and 2 travel themes, with plans for even more in the future. Covering everything from train travel and cheap hotels to the best local food and how to curse in the local language, these guides offer a wealth of information for travelers. Here are some of the best 2010 posts from our WhyGo network.

Las Vegas

• How to Visit Las Vegas on a Budget - Covering everything, and we mean everything, you need to know about traveling cheaply in Vegas, this article is chock full of info.
• Planning a Romantic Getaway in Las Vegas – WhyGo Las Vegas writer JoAnna shows us the most romantic spots in Vegas to eat, sleep and play.
• Things to Do in Las Vegas for the Non-Gambler – From shows to spas to outdoor adventure, this article highlights just how much more than casinos Vegas has to offer.

Travel Gear

• How to Choose the Best Travel Tent - Find the best tent for your needs and budget with these useful tips and suggestions.
• The Best Hiking Backpacks – Resident gear expert Amiee has tested dozens of backpacks; here she puts her experience to use recommending the best backpacks for hikers.
• Best Netbooks for Traveling - Traveling techies face a unique set of challenges when it comes to gear. Check out suggestions for light and sturdy netbooks great for people on the go.

Spain

• What to Eat in Spain: Famous Spanish Foods – Guaranteed to make you hungry for travel to Spain, this one’s full of mouth-watering photos of some of the country’s most iconic foods.
• Top 6 Beaches in Spain – WhyGo Spain writer Nellie unveils six beautiful beaches in Spain perfect for sun-worshippers.
• Photo Essay: Spain Celebrates its First World Cup Win! - This summer the streets of Spain were full of fans cheering the country’s first World Cup win. Nellie was there to take some stunning photos of the celebration.

Thailand

• How to Eat Thai Food – Confused by curries or scared of spices? WhyGo Thailand writer Catherine walks you through what you need to know about eating in Thailand.
• Market Shopping in Chang Mai – In a city full of markets, here are the best spots to find unique and affordable souvenirs.

Hawaii

• Save Money on Your Vacation with Group Buying Sites - Group buying sites are more popular (and plentiful) than ever. Here’s how to use them to save money in Hawaii.
• Dining on Maui: Local Favorites – WhyGo Hawaii writer Malia takes us on a tour of the best local places for a cheap tasty treat on Maui.
• 5 Places to Watch Football in Waikiki - If you – or your traveling companion – just can’t give up the sports, even on vacation, you’ll want to bookmark this one.

Canada

• Favourite Canada Jokes – Get a glimpse at the Canadian sense of humor with these classic jokes about Canada.
• Canada by Train: Planning Tips - There’s something so romantic about the idea of a train trip through Canada. Here’s what you need to know to make the travel dream a reality.
• How to Enjoy Vancouver for Free (or Very Nearly) – Budget travelers rejoice! WhyGo Canada writer Julie shows us how we can enjoy Vancouver on a very small budget.

Chicago

• Free and Cheap Things to Do in Chicago - Chicago can be an expensive city, if you don’t know better. Read these tips and find out how to live large in Chicago on a small budget.
• 15 Reasons to Love Chicago - WhyGo Chicago writer Katie gives us 15 great reasons to visit Chicago in this love letter to the Windy City.

Italy

• How to Create the Perfect Italy Itinerary – One of the most comprehensive Italy itinerary guides on the web, this post should be your first stop when planning an Italy trip.
• How to Use a Rail Pass in Italy - The Italians don’t exactly make booking a train ticket simple. Luckily WhyGo Italy writer Jessica is here to sort out the confusion.
• Discover Romantic Venice in Four Easy Steps and How to Get Lost in Venice – People seem to either love Venice or hate it. It’s one of the most romantic places on Earth and can also be one of the most frustrating. Follow this advice and you’ll see more of its good side.

Amsterdam

• Amsterdam iPhone Apps for Travelers - Jessica rounds up an arsenal of iPhone apps to help you eat, drink, and explore your way around Amsterdam.
• Seven Reasons Why You Should Book a Vacation Rental in Amsterdam – Find out why a vacation rental is your best bet in Amsterdam.

Iceland

• 25 Things You Didn’t Know About Iceland - – The most popular WhyGo Iceland post of 2010, this article offers up 25 quirky facts about Iceland and provides a crash course on the country for anyone planning a visit.
• How to Budget for a Trip to Iceland – Despite its 2008 bankruptcy, Iceland is still an expensive place to visit. Here’s what you need to know to plan your trip budget.
• Photo Essay: Images From North Iceland - WhyGo Iceland writer Katie shares some gorgeous photos from her summer trip to northern Iceland.

Greece

• Best Greek Islands for Views – Who doesn’t dream of watching a beautiful sunset from one of Greece’s hundreds of islands? WhyGo Greece writer Cristina tells us where to go for the best views.
• Best Party Islands in Greece – If your Greece trip is more about letting loose than snuggling up with a loved one, check out these three top party islands.

France

• What to Wear in France in Summer – WhyGo France writer Christine gives us the straight talk on how to avoid a clothing faux pas in fashionable France.
• Ten Things to Do in Provence - Check out ten quintessential experiences to have in one of the most beautiful regions of France. C’est magnifique!
• Menu Tips for France – Read it, bookmark it, print it out, tuck it in your pocket for your trip to France, and never wind up with a heap of unidentifiable innards on your plate again.

Australia

• Amazing Australia: 10 Great Images from Travelers & People Living There - Stunning photos of Australia from locals and travelers, guaranteed to inspire you to check the price of tickets to Australia.
• 10 Things in Australia That Will Make Your Skin Crawl – Australia is home to some creepy creatures (and we don’t mean drunk Aussies), which you can check out in this squirm-inducing post.
• 11 Adrenaline Junky Activities in Australia – WhyGo Australia writer Brooke highlights some of the country’s coolest and craziest sports.

Paris

• Best Cafes in Paris for People-Watching – Sitting in a cafe watching the world go is a favorite activity of many tourists. Here are the best spots for an afternoon of people-watching in Paris.
• Tipping in Paris – Navigating the tricky rules of tipping in Paris can be difficult for visitors. Check out these rules to avoid a tipping gaffe.

London

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Best of Travel Blog WhyGo Travel Guides

Most loyal BootsnAll readers know that every day we post a featured travel article on our homepage. We also publish the occasional guest post, show you a wanderlust-inducing daily travel photo, connect you to other travelers in our forums, and offer up a whole host of travel tips and tools to help you plan your ideal trip, whether that be a solo trip around the world or a weekend road trip close to home.

But did you know we also host dozens of niche and destination-specific sites that offer in-depth information from experts? With a team of writers living all over the world, we cover 14 destinations and 2 travel themes, with plans for even more in the future. Covering everything from train travel and cheap hotels to the best local food and how to curse in the local language, these guides offer a wealth of information for travelers. Here are some of the best 2010 posts from our WhyGo network.

Las Vegas

• How to Visit Las Vegas on a Budget - Covering everything, and we mean everything, you need to know about traveling cheaply in Vegas, this article is chock full of info.
• Planning a Romantic Getaway in Las Vegas – WhyGo Las Vegas writer JoAnna shows us the most romantic spots in Vegas to eat, sleep and play.
• Things to Do in Las Vegas for the Non-Gambler – From shows to spas to outdoor adventure, this article highlights just how much more than casinos Vegas has to offer.

Travel Gear

• How to Choose the Best Travel Tent - Find the best tent for your needs and budget with these useful tips and suggestions.
• The Best Hiking Backpacks – Resident gear expert Amiee has tested dozens of backpacks; here she puts her experience to use recommending the best backpacks for hikers.
• Best Netbooks for Traveling - Traveling techies face a unique set of challenges when it comes to gear. Check out suggestions for light and sturdy netbooks great for people on the go.

Spain

• What to Eat in Spain: Famous Spanish Foods – Guaranteed to make you hungry for travel to Spain, this one’s full of mouth-watering photos of some of the country’s most iconic foods.
• Top 6 Beaches in Spain – WhyGo Spain writer Nellie unveils six beautiful beaches in Spain perfect for sun-worshippers.
• Photo Essay: Spain Celebrates its First World Cup Win! - This summer the streets of Spain were full of fans cheering the country’s first World Cup win. Nellie was there to take some stunning photos of the celebration.

Thailand

• How to Eat Thai Food – Confused by curries or scared of spices? WhyGo Thailand writer Catherine walks you through what you need to know about eating in Thailand.
• Market Shopping in Chang Mai – In a city full of markets, here are the best spots to find unique and affordable souvenirs.

Hawaii

• Save Money on Your Vacation with Group Buying Sites - Group buying sites are more popular (and plentiful) than ever. Here’s how to use them to save money in Hawaii.
• Dining on Maui: Local Favorites – WhyGo Hawaii writer Malia takes us on a tour of the best local places for a cheap tasty treat on Maui.
• 5 Places to Watch Football in Waikiki - If you – or your traveling companion – just can’t give up the sports, even on vacation, you’ll want to bookmark this one.

Canada

• Favourite Canada Jokes – Get a glimpse at the Canadian sense of humor with these classic jokes about Canada.
• Canada by Train: Planning Tips - There’s something so romantic about the idea of a train trip through Canada. Here’s what you need to know to make the travel dream a reality.
• How to Enjoy Vancouver for Free (or Very Nearly) – Budget travelers rejoice! WhyGo Canada writer Julie shows us how we can enjoy Vancouver on a very small budget.

Chicago

• Free and Cheap Things to Do in Chicago - Chicago can be an expensive city, if you don’t know better. Read these tips and find out how to live large in Chicago on a small budget.
• 15 Reasons to Love Chicago - WhyGo Chicago writer Katie gives us 15 great reasons to visit Chicago in this love letter to the Windy City.

Italy

• How to Create the Perfect Italy Itinerary – One of the most comprehensive Italy itinerary guides on the web, this post should be your first stop when planning an Italy trip.
• How to Use a Rail Pass in Italy - The Italians don’t exactly make booking a train ticket simple. Luckily WhyGo Italy writer Jessica is here to sort out the confusion.
• Discover Romantic Venice in Four Easy Steps and How to Get Lost in Venice – People seem to either love Venice or hate it. It’s one of the most romantic places on Earth and can also be one of the most frustrating. Follow this advice and you’ll see more of its good side.

Amsterdam

• Amsterdam iPhone Apps for Travelers - Jessica rounds up an arsenal of iPhone apps to help you eat, drink, and explore your way around Amsterdam.
• Seven Reasons Why You Should Book a Vacation Rental in Amsterdam – Find out why a vacation rental is your best bet in Amsterdam.

Iceland

• 25 Things You Didn’t Know About Iceland - – The most popular WhyGo Iceland post of 2010, this article offers up 25 quirky facts about Iceland and provides a crash course on the country for anyone planning a visit.
• How to Budget for a Trip to Iceland – Despite its 2008 bankruptcy, Iceland is still an expensive place to visit. Here’s what you need to know to plan your trip budget.
• Photo Essay: Images From North Iceland - WhyGo Iceland writer Katie shares some gorgeous photos from her summer trip to northern Iceland.

Greece

• Best Greek Islands for Views – Who doesn’t dream of watching a beautiful sunset from one of Greece’s hundreds of islands? WhyGo Greece writer Cristina tells us where to go for the best views.
• Best Party Islands in Greece – If your Greece trip is more about letting loose than snuggling up with a loved one, check out these three top party islands.

France

• What to Wear in France in Summer – WhyGo France writer Christine gives us the straight talk on how to avoid a clothing faux pas in fashionable France.
• Ten Things to Do in Provence - Check out ten quintessential experiences to have in one of the most beautiful regions of France. C’est magnifique!
• Menu Tips for France – Read it, bookmark it, print it out, tuck it in your pocket for your trip to France, and never wind up with a heap of unidentifiable innards on your plate again.

Australia

• Amazing Australia: 10 Great Images from Travelers & People Living There - Stunning photos of Australia from locals and travelers, guaranteed to inspire you to check the price of tickets to Australia.
• 10 Things in Australia That Will Make Your Skin Crawl – Australia is home to some creepy creatures (and we don’t mean drunk Aussies), which you can check out in this squirm-inducing post.
• 11 Adrenaline Junky Activities in Australia – WhyGo Australia writer Brooke highlights some of the country’s coolest and craziest sports.

Paris

• Best Cafes in Paris for People-Watching – Sitting in a cafe watching the world go is a favorite activity of many tourists. Here are the best spots for an afternoon of people-watching in Paris.
• Tipping in Paris – Navigating the tricky rules of tipping in Paris can be difficult for visitors. Check out these rules to avoid a tipping gaffe.

London

Read More

Adventures in Seville: Seafood Paella and Peeling Prawns

If you’re anything like me, you think of Valencia as soon as anyone says “paella” – that birthplace of the original Spanish rice dish (made with snails and rabbit) and stomping ground of travel writing foodies. Valencia is truly a beautiful city with delicious food and wonderful personality, but that’s not where I had my seafood paella experience. I was in Seville, studying abroad and enjoying the opportunity to stay with a host family to help me learn the finer points of European Spanish – the vosotros form and what we’ll call vernacular (what they don’t teach you in school).

About halfway through my month-long stay in Seville, my host mother announced that she was having a good friend over that Friday and wanted to make a big lunch to celebrate. I was excited about this because my experience in Spanish cuisine thus far had been steamed cauliflower, bread, fruit, and more bread. Yes, I was certainly looking forward to the promised celebratory lunch.

That Friday, I arrived home from class in time to help my host mother with some of the preparations before eating and heading back for more classes. What I hadn’t realized was that she was making paella, something I had only read about on menus and dreamed of with a stomach full of cauliflower. She asked me to make the topping for the mussels she was using to decorate the huge pot of paella, so I chopped tomato, onions, and herbs to create a salsa of sorts. After adding some lemon juice, I spread it on top of the mussels in their half shells – I was probably drooling by this time. I had never tasted mussels, but I was excited at the prospect. And then I saw the other seafood ingredient, already sitting on top of the paella and mixed in with the vegetables, too: prawns. Their shriveled eyeballs scared me, but I was determined to enjoy this paella.

A Prawn Anatomy Lesson

I knew next to nothing about prawns. They looked like shrimp on growth hormones, or maybe steroids, but I wasn’t about to ask about them. I chose to simply observe the others at the lunch table to see how they would deal with the sea monsters. The mussels were served as appetizers, and I was encouraged by their incredible flavor – I figured that my second seafood introduction would be equally delightful. Taking my cues from the others, I began to eat my paella and found it so delicious that I became a little careless and simply ate around the prawns to enjoy what I could. This mistake resulted in the consumption of one prawn eyeball, which had somehow come loose and hidden itself in the rice and vegetables. I was slightly horrified, but I knew it couldn’t hurt me and that I should just ignore it. However, I was now intent on figuring out how to peel and eat those prawns so that their more undesirable parts wouldn’t end up on my fork.

I tried to watch surreptitiously, but I probably stared. I was under the impression that touching one’s food at the table (especially at a celebratory lunch) was rude beyond description. While that was true for my family in my country, it was pretty far from the reality of Seville. Everyone was picking up their prawns, peeling them, discarding the heads and shells on their appetizer plates, and eating them, all while keeping up the conversation. I knew I couldn’t do that, even if it was appropriate, so I tried to transfer my prawns to my appetizer plate and dissect them there using my knife and fork. As I probably could have anticipated, this only drew strange looks from the others, so I returned the prawns to my bowl and tried to eat around them again. By now, I was paranoid and combing for eyeballs, trying to make small talk in a language I was still trying to learn. Fortunately, I had a glass of wine to get me through the lunch and the rest of my classes, but containing my embarrassment and discomfort was a pretty extreme effort.

The paella was delicious and I was eager to try my hand at making it once I got back to the States, but the prawns had defeated me. So my next order of business was to convince some native speakers to go out for prawns and teach me how to eat them properly. Here is what I learned.

When in Spain

I became the butt of a few jokes, but it was worth it to learn how to eat prawns from Spanish experts. So the next time you’re faced with the challenge of eating prawns in a group of new acquaintances, you’ll be able to focus on the conversation rather than the shriveled eyeballs.

1. Grab a prawn in one hand, putting your thumb and forefinger just behind its head and making sure that the legs are facing downwards. Take hold of the head with your other hand, using your thumb and forefinger, and snap it sharply downwards, ideally pulling the legs off in the same motion.
2. If you didn’t get the legs with the head, use the same downward snapping motion to peel them all off.
3. Sneak your thumb underneath the shell by pushing up from where the legs were. You should be able to lift and twist the shell off, including the tail.
4. Yes, I left the tail on mine, too. In this case, pinch the base of the tail to force the rest of the meat out and get rid of the tail.
5. If you’re picky, pinch the top of the vein that runs the length of the prawn and pull it out. I was picky, but they swear it enhances the flavor of the prawn, so you might want to leave it in.
6. Simply eat your prawn, or if it’s part of a dish like paella, you can put it back in the bowl and cut it into smaller pieces to be enjoyed with the rest of the dish.

Read More

Adventures in Seville: Seafood Paella and Peeling Prawns

If you’re anything like me, you think of Valencia as soon as anyone says “paella” – that birthplace of the original Spanish rice dish (made with snails and rabbit) and stomping ground of travel writing foodies. Valencia is truly a beautiful city with delicious food and wonderful personality, but that’s not where I had my seafood paella experience. I was in Seville, studying abroad and enjoying the opportunity to stay with a host family to help me learn the finer points of European Spanish – the vosotros form and what we’ll call vernacular (what they don’t teach you in school).

About halfway through my month-long stay in Seville, my host mother announced that she was having a good friend over that Friday and wanted to make a big lunch to celebrate. I was excited about this because my experience in Spanish cuisine thus far had been steamed cauliflower, bread, fruit, and more bread. Yes, I was certainly looking forward to the promised celebratory lunch.

That Friday, I arrived home from class in time to help my host mother with some of the preparations before eating and heading back for more classes. What I hadn’t realized was that she was making paella, something I had only read about on menus and dreamed of with a stomach full of cauliflower. She asked me to make the topping for the mussels she was using to decorate the huge pot of paella, so I chopped tomato, onions, and herbs to create a salsa of sorts. After adding some lemon juice, I spread it on top of the mussels in their half shells – I was probably drooling by this time. I had never tasted mussels, but I was excited at the prospect. And then I saw the other seafood ingredient, already sitting on top of the paella and mixed in with the vegetables, too: prawns. Their shriveled eyeballs scared me, but I was determined to enjoy this paella.

A Prawn Anatomy Lesson

I knew next to nothing about prawns. They looked like shrimp on growth hormones, or maybe steroids, but I wasn’t about to ask about them. I chose to simply observe the others at the lunch table to see how they would deal with the sea monsters. The mussels were served as appetizers, and I was encouraged by their incredible flavor – I figured that my second seafood introduction would be equally delightful. Taking my cues from the others, I began to eat my paella and found it so delicious that I became a little careless and simply ate around the prawns to enjoy what I could. This mistake resulted in the consumption of one prawn eyeball, which had somehow come loose and hidden itself in the rice and vegetables. I was slightly horrified, but I knew it couldn’t hurt me and that I should just ignore it. However, I was now intent on figuring out how to peel and eat those prawns so that their more undesirable parts wouldn’t end up on my fork.

I tried to watch surreptitiously, but I probably stared. I was under the impression that touching one’s food at the table (especially at a celebratory lunch) was rude beyond description. While that was true for my family in my country, it was pretty far from the reality of Seville. Everyone was picking up their prawns, peeling them, discarding the heads and shells on their appetizer plates, and eating them, all while keeping up the conversation. I knew I couldn’t do that, even if it was appropriate, so I tried to transfer my prawns to my appetizer plate and dissect them there using my knife and fork. As I probably could have anticipated, this only drew strange looks from the others, so I returned the prawns to my bowl and tried to eat around them again. By now, I was paranoid and combing for eyeballs, trying to make small talk in a language I was still trying to learn. Fortunately, I had a glass of wine to get me through the lunch and the rest of my classes, but containing my embarrassment and discomfort was a pretty extreme effort.

The paella was delicious and I was eager to try my hand at making it once I got back to the States, but the prawns had defeated me. So my next order of business was to convince some native speakers to go out for prawns and teach me how to eat them properly. Here is what I learned.

When in Spain

I became the butt of a few jokes, but it was worth it to learn how to eat prawns from Spanish experts. So the next time you’re faced with the challenge of eating prawns in a group of new acquaintances, you’ll be able to focus on the conversation rather than the shriveled eyeballs.

1. Grab a prawn in one hand, putting your thumb and forefinger just behind its head and making sure that the legs are facing downwards. Take hold of the head with your other hand, using your thumb and forefinger, and snap it sharply downwards, ideally pulling the legs off in the same motion.
2. If you didn’t get the legs with the head, use the same downward snapping motion to peel them all off.
3. Sneak your thumb underneath the shell by pushing up from where the legs were. You should be able to lift and twist the shell off, including the tail.
4. Yes, I left the tail on mine, too. In this case, pinch the base of the tail to force the rest of the meat out and get rid of the tail.
5. If you’re picky, pinch the top of the vein that runs the length of the prawn and pull it out. I was picky, but they swear it enhances the flavor of the prawn, so you might want to leave it in.
6. Simply eat your prawn, or if it’s part of a dish like paella, you can put it back in the bowl and cut it into smaller pieces to be enjoyed with the rest of the dish.

Read More

Spain - Holiday in a Romantic Land

Spain is romantic country and also a very beautiful country. The city of matadors and bull fights has a lot of culture and entertainment to offer. Apart from being beautifully built you could find yourself having a lot of fun in the pristine beaches, spectacular and scenic mountains, green meadows, and flamenco dancers. There is no dearth for entertainment in Spain and one should be ready to absorb the culture in its entirety. Also be prepared to taste some eclectic Spanish food. Spanish food should not be confused with the Mexican food and both are a world apart. There several places of interest that could keep you busy for days like the pre historic paintings found in caves, Roman ruins, Gothic cathedrals built during Renaissance, Andalusian landscapes and much more.

(Via)

Things to do in Spain

If you want to get some sand and sun then head to the beaches of Malaga, Almeria and Huelva as these are budding resort towns. Beaches are not only crowded but equipped with all modern facilities to have fun.

Madrid is a city by itself and there is plenty of architecture marvel, paintings of Picasso, bull fighting to be found here. The city is also home to the three most popular museums of Spain.

Barcelona is also similar to Madrid with streets full of fountains and ancient architecture and is surrounded by rumbling castles and gothic structures.

The country side of Spain is unbeatable and you can see some Tuscany kind of landscapes with Vineyards and more.

Andalusia is home to the most famous Sierra Nevada Mountains and the skiing resorts are all located here. However make sure to get there in the right season for skiing.

The Pyrenees and the Aragon area are most popular for highland trekking and you could see some of the most amazing viewpoints on your trek.

Bull Fight Spain

What to expect

Spanish people are very open hearted and do not be surprised if someone invites you home out of the blue. It is an ancient city and expects to see a lot of ancient ruins and architecture. Spain is best explored on foot so expect to do a lot of walking within the city.

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