18 Essential Tips for the Introverted Traveler

Catering to your personality makes for a better experience. (Think stock)

Confession: I’m an introvert. And as other introverts know, though we make up anywhere from a third to half the population, sometimes it feels like the world caters to extroverts. 

It’s not always easy to be an introvert living in an extroverts’ world. (If extroverts ruled the world, small talk would be outlawed.) This can be especially true when it comes to travel. Chatty airplane seatmates, group sight-seeing tours, bed and breakfasts, all-inclusive resorts, all these things can be an introvert’s worst nightmare.

Why? Introverts’ brains literally work differently than extroverts. “Introverts are oriented toward their own private thoughts and feelings,” explains psychologist and University of Washington affiliate professor Jonathan Bricker. “They can be over-stimulated when they interact with too many people.” In other words, introverts actually lose or expend energy in social situations. (Extroverts are oriented to the outside world and truly gain energy from social interaction, says Bricker.)

That doesn’t mean that introverts hate being around people. We are capable of going to new places, meeting new people, being in groups, and we can get as much as anyone else out of travel. But these interactions have very real consequences for introverts, says Bricker. We  have to make decisions on how and where to spend our limited social energy — and we need alone time and quiet to recharge.

Read more about this great article via Yahoo Travel, HERE

8 Cool Places to Visit in Mykonos

Considered one of the most cosmopolitan and beautiful islands of Greece, Mykonos is offering a great alternative for this summer. New great restaurants, hotels and better beach experiences are waiting for you, the sun is shining and the party is ready. 

We want to give you our 8 Cool places to visit in Mykonos, where the experiences will become pleasant memories, check this out: 

1. Let's start with a beautiful place to stay, Hotel San Giorgio, as they define their product its a True, Authentic, Simple experience, for today’s travelers that are expecting more than just the standardised comfort and convenience, this hotel is offering an authentic personalized experience. Located between Paradise and Paraga beaches, and only 10 minutes from Mykonos centre and airport, the hotel offers the perfect escape to a unforgettable destination. The gastronomy on offer will make you stay all day long, try all the restaurants, food is great. 

2. Have a Breakfast or a Coffee in Alegro Cafe, a ocean view Terrace restaurant offering all day meals. The friendly atmosphere, the delicious Mediterranean food and the excellent service are the key elements that established it as a must-visit place for both the residents and the visitors of the island. Coffee, drinks or beautiful seafood, your choice.. A great option to start a day. 

3. Another great option for late breakfast or lunch is Elia Mykonos, a seasonal mediterranean restaurant with magnificent views to the beach of Elia and the Aegean Sea.
 Stylish decor with slender lighting, white and sandy colours and furniture. 
Also offers a open-air seating so you can take full advantage of the beautiful natural landscape and sunny weather. Elia also offers great dining options, you may be lucky to enjoy a full moon dinner. For us, It’s the perfect place for a casual lunch after a wonderful day at the beach.

4. If you happen to be around the city, looking for a local experience, try Popolo Mykonos, a small cafe in the heart of the city offering an authentic greece snack experience. Proudly homemade food produced only with great products carefully selected to produce a daily menu with fresh and healthy meals. The little corner outside will your make you feel loved by the charm of Mykonos. 

5. If you are looking for a more rustic option after touring the island, try Kikis Tavern, a real secret gem in the north of the island. This little rocky restaurant will offer you treasures from the sea, a great selection of fresh fish and seafood, all created in the Greek style.. Make sure to taste the great salad, and try the typical Greece rosé. You may find lines of people waiting for table, but don't worry, you will have your table in short time, meanwhile enjoy the extraordinary ocean view experience, maybe unique to this part of the island. 

6. For a fine dinning experience in the town, try Kalita Restaurant, a great culinary experience full of delicious mediterranean food, flavors and fragrances.With an elegant decor, trendy mood, beautiful music and friendly service this restaurant will keep you in a chilled mood. Start with a cocktail in the bar and continue with creative Greek dishes that will amaze you. Beautiful dishes prepared from organic and local ingredients, selected seafood and all the tradition of the ultimate greek cuisine. Pumpkin pie with cinnamon ice cream is a must. A perfect start for a great night out in the city. 

7. If you are looking for a glamorous Beach Club, try Kalua, a blue and white bar and restaurant with a great beach, sofas and sunbeds to enjoy a perfect sunny day. You can enjoy the great vibe of a beach club with the facilities of a great restaurant and pumping bar. Located in Paraga beach, this can be your daily office for the time you are enjoying of this great island. 

8. If you are looking for a more romantic hotel, try Kivotos, a modern and glamorous ocean view hotel built at the end of sandy beach Ornos, only 5 minutes by car ( about 3 kilometers) from the island’s capital Hora, a small city full of high-end boutiques, restaurants, bars and clubs. as they define thereselves, a holiday sanctuary for art connoisseurs and modern travel aficionados who desire the finest, most exclusive experiences imaginable. So don't expect less than glamour, exclusivity and beautiful ocean views.

Ready for your weekend escape? .. Enjoy it 

Created by D.Oballos - Huellas de Luz Blog 

Photography from their websites

10 Cool Things to Do in Dubai

Dubai is more than malls, shops and night life. There is a vibrant city growing brimming with culture, traditions and exciting art to discover, also some very cool places to enjoy.

Experience this beautiful city as if through the eyes of a local, and enjoy places that will make your trip incredible.

Here is our 10 Top "Cool" things to do, please try as many as you can: 

1) The Farm, This is most definitely not a typical Dubai restaurant, they serve great quality wholesome food the way nature intended, in a relaxed and tranquil setting reminiscent of a South African establishment, You can handpick flavors and ingredients, whilst going through the menu. There are even options to add or delete ingredients to create unique, bespoke dishes, just the way you like them. Also a great deli to take lots of goodies away with you.

2) The Fridge,  the perfect venue to enjoy live music and diverse live art. Located in Al Quoz inside a warehouse, the fridge functions as the perfect platform to showcase fresh and exciting performers through curated programming such as The Fridge Concert Series, and doubles as the ideal urban event space for corporate and private hire.

3) Jones The Grocer, providing great gourmet food for everyday living. With products sourced and selected from around the globe, jones the grocer is a food emporium focused on providing natural ingredients produced by specialist, artisan suppliers and showcases these through the innovative in store cafe menu which you can enjoy in the casual atmosphere of our contemporary designed cafes.

4) Visit Chines, probably the best Crab Curry you can find in Dubai, also the cheapest, one of the big plus's of a non licensed establishment is the price, Its a very modest place, but you can enjoy all kind of Asian food, located in Al Barsha. Fabulous take aways as well.

5) Make Business Hub, is a perfect place for a casual business breakfast or an afternoon coffee. The ambience is earthy, minimalist and at the same time casual and sophisticated. Many entrepreneurs base their business from this pleasant place so it you want to be inspired in your business visit to Dubai, this is the place to be.

6) Beach Club At Sheraton Jumeirah, is the perfect place to chill during the weekend or in weekdays as well. The chilled out ambience and the amazing garden in front of the sea will make you feel loved and the lounger service will make you feel lazy and spoiled (go for it) Whether you want to relax, catch some rays and have a swim, play and share with the family or look for extra fun and adventure, Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort has something for everyone, including many activities for the whole family.

7) Try Tatiana's Yoga in the Park,  an inspirational and devoted yoga teacher, Tatiana will introduce you to something ubique and amazing, beginner advance or just visiting you will be welcome, her clases are mainly outdoors and the group of attendants make a fantastic vibe. Location varies depending on day and availability, so please check with her first, but please don't miss this great opportunity of balancing your aura with a great Yoga Class. Her email is in the photo below.

8) Saturday Flee Market, a great opportunity to find bargains and antique pieces from Dubai culture. There are also many second hand items but the vibe of the place and event, situated in alcohol park surrounded by incredible towers, this is really telling a story of the diversities that Dubai has to offer. 

9) Visit Restaurant Zahr El Laymoun  , located in Souk Al Bahar and looking to Burj Khalifa. They define their cuisine like an ode to nature and to their grandmothers. They know that food well-cooked enriches our bodies and souls. The food has earth and tradition at it's roots. Freshly hand-picked ingredients and deliciously grilled, delivering the healthiest of Lebanese pleasures.

10) The Old Dubai, Al Bastakiya, one of the most beautiful and well conserved areas of Old Dubai, be transported to the fisherman times when Dubai was depended on this hard enterprise to survive. This area is now a mini maze of wind-towered buildings, a clutch of which have been transformed into art galleries and cafés. Artisans and artists have their galleries there so you can experience local art like Arabic writing, fabric painting, carpets, arabic coffees, beautiful gardens, etc.

Created by Dayiana Oballos - Huellas de Luz Blog

How to Take Better Travel Photos

As a professional travel photographer whose work often appears in nationally-acclaimed magazines such as Conde Nast Traveler, The New York Times, and Sophisticated Traveler, I have had the privilege to travel and work in over 48 countries. The circumstances are often stressful, and time is always limited. To ensure a successful shoot, I always follow these five steps:

1. Educate yourself about the location before leaving home.

The more I know about the place I am traveling to, the more clarity I have as to what, when, and where I need to be during my visit. The same will be true even for those guided on a tour. Learn what you can about the country, its culture, and landscape.

Find out about any particular events or festivals taking place during your travels. Are there important monuments and architecture that might interest you.? Communities you want to visit?

Then do an Internet search of images based on your research. It’s helpful to see the work of other photographers as a means of scouting the location beforehand.

You will quickly see what the stereotypical images are and what you may want to avoid, as well as some new ideas to consider.

Read more about this interesting article By Lisa Limer, professional photographer  HERE