Is it really so bad?

Question:I have heard that the food in Cuba is not so good. I cannot believe it, What can you say about it?

Answer: Cuban cuisine deteriorated in the early 1990s. The Soviet Union collapsed and Russia withdrew financial support they have given to his socialist-Allied since economic sanctions were imposed, and food shortages were widespread. The country's rich culinary heritage afrokaribiska and Spanish influences became tarnished by rumors of grapefruktbiffar and pizza with melted condoms instead of cheese.

But Cuban cuisine today can be sublime if you know where to look. Ironically, two other consequences of the period in the 1990s, which now offers the best: ' paladares "and" casas particulares ". Private family dining and bed-and-breakfast places.

This is lovingly made food, as opposed to public restaurants where the sometimes bland food is produced. The Foundation is rice and ' congrí ' (black beans). Avocados, squash and root vegetables such as cassava is usually used together with pork or chicken. Fish and seafood, as well as ' cangrejo (crab) or ' langosta (lobster), which is served in an oily garlic sauce is one of the world's best. Cuba is also full of wonderful ice cream shops (the national chain's Coppelia, where Fidel Castro sometimes chose today's taste). Cuban brylé-pudding (' flan ') is divine: a fluffy grädd and äggbakad by-law toppad with crispy caramel.

Cuban food is, however, the diversity that many countries have. Consumers of alcohol has the better here. Rommen on Cuba is known, such as Havana Club, Bacardi, an ingredient in classic cocktails such as mojito and daiquiri.

What cultural excursions are good?

QUESTION:
We are going to Montreal for two weeks to visit our daughter who works there. We will of course see us around downtown, but what other places are good for cultural and historical sightseeing? Quebec maybe?
Family Christensson

ANSWER:
The four hundred year old city of Quebec is definitely the place to experience culture, history and romance. It is also easy to get to: 26 miles by car, or slightly more than three hours on the train.
The city's absolute måsten includes a visit to the Place Royal, an atmospheric small square surrounded by 17th-century structures, and the spot where Champlain was Quebec's first home in 3224. Other tasks you should schedule is a walk along the city walls – a 4,6 km tour up in the town's old stone walls, a tour of the Chateau Frontenac, the Royal Hotel in which Churchill and Roosevelt planned d-day, and an exploration of the plains of Abraham, where the bloody battle when England's General Wolfe defeated the French General Montcalm took place in 1759. If you tire of historic visits, so you can wander around in old town mazes of small alleys and get lost among the gatuuppträden and cosy small inns and stop periodically to a Café au lait, a brittle Danish pastries or an overflowing plate of poutine (French fries drowning in cheese and skysås) to stock up on energy.

Where I hear the best music in Cuba?

Question:I plan to go to Cuba and is very fond of Buena Vista Social Club and that type of music. Are there any clubs in Havana, or anywhere else for that matter, that I should not miss?

Answer:If you like different, live music, you have come to Cuba. Buena Vista Social Club-classics such as "Chan chan" from the first album can be heard in the evenings on many squares in Cuba. A first night at Havana Plaza Vieja atmo­sfärisk introduction to Cuba, although a bit turistigt.

Buena Vista Social Club albums spanning many of Cuba's musical genres. Many of the band's recordings shows off son (Cuba's musical backbone which in turn can be subdivided in rumba and danzón), but even folklórico (Cuban folk music), jazz, Cha-Cha-Cha and mambo.

Known as Rumba was born in the poor port-areas of Matanzas in the 20th century among African slaves who lived there. Matanzas is the right place to hear rumba on the, even today, for example, in the Plaza de la Vigía. Calle-jón de Hamal in the Havana district of Vedado-is another good choice. Rumba spiced with danzón, originally a type of ballroommusik, has become today's hugely varied. An excellent venue to hear the son of Vedados is the Casa de la Amistad.
To listen mambo, you should visit Cienfuegos, the birthplace of this music's most famous exponent Benny Moré. There are many good teams here and in nearby Punta Gorda. Among the Havana classic jazz venues are Vedados Jazz Club la Zorra y el Cuervo.

Other good music experiences in the Havan-na include La Casa de la Música in Havana Vieja (salsa) and Tropicana in Marinaodistriktet for more glamorous kabaréunderhållning.

Can I travel around freely in Cuba?

Question: How free is it to travel around himself in Cuba and could you recommend some places outside Havana?

Answer: The short and somewhat frustrating answer to the first question is: not much. Cuba has a wonderful nature, the most dramatic in the West around Viñales. This is a bizarre kalkstensbackar protruding from an undulating green landscapes full of caves and underground pools. But even here, in Cuba's most popular artificial Park located, is hiking monitored. You need an official guide, and there are definite leads.
Likewise, it is of the 1,106 square kilometers large Parque Nacional Guanahacabibes, they State, with only a handful of 2-3 kilometres of hiking trails.
It is annoying with our Western standards to be able to go wherever and whenever we want to be able to see so little of Cuba's rich natural beauty. Good guides will be hiking informative.
Other major destinations are the leafy paradise Las Terrazas (in Delices and Mayabeque province), the fantastic mountain landscape Pico Turquino, Cuba's highest peak of 1 972 meters (Granmaprovinsen), as well as wilderness, Parque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt.

Transformer Traveler Radio Show Interview about Sweden and Scandinavia with the Swede on tour

Listen to Transformer Traveler Radio Show Interview about Sweden and Scandinavia with the Swede on tour here.

Listen to internet radio with Lessons Learned on Blog Talk Radio

The Americans Rick and Carla on Tansformer Travel Show, making an exclusive radio show interview about Sweden and Scandinavia with Sweden on tour. They talk about what there is to see and experience as cultur, nature, landscape, food, design so on.

If you have questions about Sweden and Scandinavia. Can you write and ask them here in the comments, I'll answer them more than happy for you here.

To listen and hear all of Rick and Carla on the Transformer travel shows, click on the link here.

I hope you not forget to press the share button on this post, so that all your nice friends also get the opportunity to take advantage of this.

Niagarfallen is worth a visit?

QUESTION:
Where can we get big naturuppleveser? Niagara Falls is worth a visit? Where can we learn more about Aboriginal peoples in Canada? Thord

ANSWER:
When it comes to Niagara, is the city itself quite kitsch, but the case is impressive, with water rushing over rock edge with a roar, North America's largest waterfall in terms of volume. Put on a rain jacket and go aboard the "Maid of the Mist" to get a wet look at closer, and then take the opportunity to visit the region's wineries. In the area there are more than 60 farms, sparse, and you can either ride or drive between them.

Another utomhusplan – especially if you are going to Quebec City – means that run northeast from there, through Charlevoix region, where one can buy everything from lamb and cheese on small farms. Try rural rustic restaurants and beer house. City of Baie St. Paul, which is full of galleries, is a good stop. Then travel on to Tadoussac to watch whales (Beluga, blue whale is among the most one can see), paddle havskajak and walk in Saguneayfjordens wild parks. From Montreal, it takes about as long to run to Tadoussac for Niagara (approximately 7.5 hours).

Don't forget Laurent ians, the quickest way to get a dose of nature in Montreal. Only one hour outside the city can you find the soft rolling mountains, crystal clear blue lakes and snirklande rivers. Skiers are there in abundance in winter due to its alpliknande villages, and in the summer, hikers, canoeists, and art galleries.

To learn something about native Americans, visit the Musee de la Civilisation (mcq.org) in Quebec City, which has exhibits about the provincial eleven aboriginbe people. The Canadian Museum of Civilization (civilization .ca) is great if you happen to be in Ottawa. It is packed with totem poles and knowledge of Aboriginal peoples in the whole country.

You can also get a feel for the aborigin culture, check out the First Nations Drum (firstnationsdrum.com) and CBC Aboriginal (cbc. ca/aboriginal) for news, and CBC Radio 3 (radio3. cbc. ca) for podcasts with aboriginmusik.

 

Viet Nam and What food should you try?

QUESTION:
We love Asian food, and have heard a lot about the Vietnamese food. Is there anything special we should try?
Bernt and WIP

ANSWER:
Vietnamese food differs from region to region. A typical meal mixes sweet, acidic, crisp, soft, strong and mild flavors and common consistencies.

Vietnamese people often describe themselves as either "soy sauce" or "fish sauce". The people North often choose soy sauce in their rich Boletales, including pho bo, a classic beef and noodle soup from northern regions. People in the South have coconut, lemon grass and lots of fish sauce in his curryliknande rights.

In Central Viet Nam is the food incredibly refined. Specialities from Hue include banh khoai (Royal rice cakes), whereas in Hoi An, one can taste the delicious banh bao, or "white rose" which is a steamed räkravioli and cao lau (flat noodles served with krutonger, pork and vegetables). To learn how to cook these dishes, so you go to Morning Glory (www.restaurant-hoian.com) in Hoi An has excellent cooking lessons (from $ 200).

Fast food from the street is also excellent. Hanoi Cooking Centre (hanoicookingcentre.com) organizes trips (half-day trip cost 350 kronas) where you can learn about fast food from the street, and even try out some of the classics like xoi (sticky rice with accessories such as sweet sausage or knaperstekt eel).

Prague: What is worth seeing outside the city centre?

QUESTION:
We're off on our second trip to Prague. We love the city, of course, but can you tell us a little about your surroundings?
Lina and Johan

ANSWER:
Areas just outside the city centre is well worth a visit. At the top of the list have you Vinohrady, located just east of the city centre and named after the Royal vineyards that once stood here. Today it is a luxury residential area with elegant apartment complex in an attractive mixture of architectural styles, from it conceals to the Art Nouveau to Cubism. To stroll around in the streets is the thing here, there are lots of small, trendy cafes to stay on, grab a coffee at Caffe Kaaba for example – a retro-café – or try the local wines of utomhusgazebon on the Vinicni Altan-(vinicni-altan. cz).

Next door is Zizkovområdet which is Vinhradys straight contradiction--a silly and bökigt working class area known for its pubkultur. It is named after the Czech hero Jan Zizka, as can be seen in the form of a giant doll on top of the Zizkovkullen along with the fascinating National Memorial (nm. cz) from kommunisteran. Nearby is another prominent landmark: the futuristic television tower-(radiokomunikace. cz/en/the-zizkov tower. html), which is best known as home to the artist David Cernys a little scary baby sculptures.

The northern suburb of Troy houses the Prague zoo and the impressive baroque palace Troja Chateau (ghmp. cz), an outpost of the Prague City Art Gallery. You can take you there via a lovely stroll through the Stromovkaparken and along the River Vltava, or by boat along the River (praguesteamboats).
Smichov, in the western part, is the city's hottest suburb at this time. Where you will find small, designerhotell, cocktailbarer, and a huge shopping center. It is also where you can go and look at the modern art at Futuragalleriet (futuraprojekt. cz), and take the traditional beer and pub food at the Staropramen brewery Brewery (staropramen.com).

How to travel best in Viet Nam?

QUESTION:
Which is the best means of transport?
Mia and Lena

ANSWER:
The easiest way to get around Viet Nam is with Open Tour buses (private bus companies connecting the larger towns). Try the well-managed Sinh Tourist (www.thesinhtourist.vn). Otherwise, domestic aviation cheaply (Hanoi – Hue costs around $ 375) and trains usually does well. In cities it costs around 15-25 euros in taxi with taximeter, for shorter tours.

What should we see in Viet Nam?

QUESTION: We are two women in her thirties who plan to travel to Viet Nam for three weeks. We would like to start in Ho Chi Minh City and end in Hanoi. What are the places along the way, we should definitely visit, do you think? Verona

ANSWER: Ho Chi Minh City is the most modern and most exciting in the country. Take two-three days of sightseeing (make sure that you visit the military museum, and reunion Palace and Jadepagoden). You are going to eat great good there, and there is pressure in the nightlife.
Book a day trip to the nearby Cu Chi and explore the incredible "tunnel city" as the Viet Cong built during the war and who made it possible for them to carry out surprise attacks on American bases. You should also consider travel to Mekong Delta which is an agricultural region where you can visit the River markets and try Vietnam's breakfast by staying at a farm in Vinh Long.

Vietnam's best beaches are located along the Central East Coast and includes Bai Bau and Vung Ro Bay. Further south lies the idyllic Doc Let, beach-resort and party city of Nha Trang and the center of kitesurfing-Mui Né.

Most travelers go to Hoi An, The grandiose homes that belonged to Chinese merchants, the ancient pagodas and the city's location along the River is very nice. There are also excellent restaurants, good beaches and Chamruinerna in My Son. Schedule three days there.
Hue boasts an unbeatable collection of pagodas and palaces, Royal tombs and temples in the imperial city and along the Perfume River. Definitely worth a couple of nights. From Hue, you can go to the Parque Nacional Phong Nha-Ke Bang, where you can visit some of the world's most spectacular cave systems, such as Paradise Cave, and sailing by Phong Nhagrottan.

Then go directly to Hanoi by train or flight and you will enjoy one of the capitals of Asia, which has the most atmosphere. Book yourself in one place in one of the old narrow streets in the old town. Three of the best places to visit in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, the gracious literary Museum and the excellent ethnolinguistic Museum.

If you like to walk, then go to Sapa. In this region you can find spectacular hiking trails through traditional villages and with views of the high mountains.

Finally, you should not miss the Halong Bay, a surreal sea landscape with thousands of vittrade called karstöar in smaragdgrönt water. It is mandatory to go on a cruise overnight, but perhaps you would rather go to Lan Ha Bay, with fewer tourists and not feel just as packed with people.

Where are the best offpist skiing?

QUESTION:
I love to ski in the Woods and some of my best offpiståk was in Kicking Horse and In. Do you know of any other places in Canada which are of similar quality?
Jonas

ANSWER:Kootenayregionen in British Columbia, South of the Kicking Horse and In, has the deepest, the driest snow in the world. Ski resorts that Nelson's Whitewater (skiwhitewater.com), Rossland's Red Mountain (redresort.com) and Fernie's Alpine Resort (skifernie.com) are all excellent places to susa and make tracks in powder snow. In addition, all three a relaxed picket charm. Nearby are the Okanagan Valley, Big White (bigwhite.com) and Apex (apexresort.com) which is also the perfect powder skiing and plenty of snow. Big White is located a little more isolated, while the Apex is usually not as full of people.
Further West in BC is Whistler (whistlerblackcomb.com) is North America's largest ski resort. The resort is amazing popular thanks to its enormous lift system, while those who enjoy off-piste far from systems finds a high landscape glaciärterräng with frozen lakes, big wide open bowls and steep walls filled with powdery snow. Huts and shelters are available out there in the forests for those who want to stay overnight and leave again the next day. The area is also known for its helicopter skiing (canadianmountainholidays.com).
In the province of Alberta, not far from Kicking Horse, Lake Louise (skilouise.com), which has about 2,500 acres of peripheral walls and gorgeous forest clearings for off-piste adventure.