Off the Beaten Path

You’ve been to Italy and Greece. You’ve sunbathed on beaches from Punta Cana to Tulum. You’re looking for something new, something adventurous! 

Well, Smiley Traveler, You’ve come to the right place. This month we’re going to explore a few destinations that you may not have considered before, but will entice you nonetheless. 

Lisbon: A Feast for the Senses!

The Sounds of Portugal:

Fado (meaning ‘fate’ in Portuguese) is a soulful, passionate genre of music born in this Portuguese city over 200 years ago. Filled with beautiful guitar melodies and crooning Portuguese lyrics, you don’t have to walk far to find a bar or a club with a Fado band playing. If you’re looking for a chance to splurge on this trip, check out Mesa de Frades. An unforgettable fine dining experience with authentic Portuguese cuisine, accompanied by some of the best Fado music Lisbon has to offer. What more could you ask for?

A Taste (and amazing smell!) of Portugal:

Try Pastéls de Nata, a traditional Portuguese egg custard tart pastry, often dusted with cinnamon sugar at País dos Doces. This bakery in northwestern Lisbon was a finalist in the prestigious annual Best Pastel de Nata competition held nationally. 

A Total Sensory Experience:

Oceanário de Lisboa is one of the biggest indoor aquariums in Europe and has been labeled the best aquarium in the world by TripAdvisor 3 times. Their exhibits are described as immersive, sensory experiences that showcase aquatic environments the world over. 

Budapest: A Walk Through Time

From 1896…

Varosliget, also known as City Park, is a sprawling neighborhood and public park near the heart of this Hungarian city. We recommended starting at Heroes’ Square, a plaza built in 1896 that has a smorgasbord of interesting statues and monuments. From Heroes’ Square, you simply need to start walking in order to find something interesting to do.

…To 1913

If you are feeling chilly and need to warm up, make your way to Szechenyi Thermal Spa. Built in the early 1990’s, this thermal spa is a beautiful example of Budapest’s famous hot springs. If you’re looking for a more lively scene, check Szechenyi Thermal Spa out on Saturday nights, when the spa turns into a Sparty, complete with DJs and light shows. While you’re partying, though, make sure you don’t ‘clink’ your glasses together with your friends. In Hungary this is considered very rude!

Marrakesh: A New Opportunity?

United Airlines just added a new nonstop flight from Newark International to Marrakesh, Morocco, making the city more accessible for many of our Smiley Travelers. Has Morocco always been on your travel bucket list? This is your chance to tick it off!

Here’s some of our recommendations for this exotic Moroccan city:

For an authentic meal with a show filled with “oriental songs and dances,” check out Restaurant Dar Essalam. Words can’t describe the intricate beauty of their dining rooms. This restaurant is a fine dining experience and does require a reservation, but I was pleasantly surprised at the affordability when I converted the prices on their menu to USD. 

Tour the Bahia Palace. Built in the 19th century, this palace features gorgeous Moroccan and Islamic architecture and sprawling gardens. Often called the most beautiful place in Marrakesh, a tour at the Bahia Palace offers beautiful views as well as interesting local historical knowledge.

Feeling extra adventurous? Try a Hammam, a traditional Turkish bath, while in Marrakesh. Keep in mind that a traditional Turkish bath is a very… exposing experience. For ages, people have lauded the amazing effects of Turkish baths on your skin, mind, and body, but if you’re not comfortable with nudity, you might wanna skip this particular excursion.

I’m sure she won’t admit it, but I think Rebecca likes planning these “off the beaten path” trips the best! Reach out to Smiley Travel for more information on booking your next adventure today.

Click Contact at the top menu to get in touch with Rebecca or scroll down to the bottom to leave a comment. What do you want to read about in future blog posts?

Until next month, Smiley Travelers,

Keep exploring,

Rachael <3

Smiley Travel Writer & Editor