The GypsyNesters

One of the things we are sensitive to as we travel the world is the impact we’re leaving behind for our children and their children. We want to leave behind a healthy ocean for future generations. Deep sea fishing is sustainable, since single line fishing and eating your catch are both good environmental practices. But we wanted to go further, so we tried to minimize our impact on the ocean and the world during our trip to South Florida.

If you’ve been to South Florida, you’ll know that it has some of the most stunning beaches and ocean in the world. Use this packing guide to minimize your impact when you visit Miami and the surrounding area.

Choose UV protective clothing made from natural fibers

If you are out on the ocean all day, you need clothing that will protect you from strong UV rays. The challenge for environmentally conscious travelers is that many fabrics that protect you from UV are synthetic. In fact, sixty percent of all clothing is made from synthetic fabrics, but many of these materials release tiny plastic bits, called microfibers, that are contaminating the ocean.

Do your part and stay protected by choosing tightly woven cotton or other natural materials. UPF gauges a fabric’s effectiveness against both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) light. Companies like Solumbra make hats in 100% cotton that have a UPF rating of 100, which allows less than 2% of UV rays through.

Suggested by: fishfindly.com

Wear water shoes with gripping soles to prevent a nasty spill on a slick boat deck, and keep your sunglasses from contributing to the trash at the bottom of the ocean by wearing a leash.

Don’t leave behind a toxic chemical slick

A hat with a large brim will help protect you from the sun, but you’ll need sunscreen even if there’s cloud cover. When you’re deep sea fishing near the Great Florida Reef, choose one that is reef-safe. Biodegradable mineral-based sunscreens don’t contain oxybenzone and octinoxate, two chemicals that are toxic to coral reefs and other marine life.

Pack along a small first aid kit with anti-nausea medication and bug repellent. Even the most seaworthy anglers can suffer from seasickness when the weather turns rough.

Bring reusable containers to hold your personal belongings

You’ll need cash to tip your guide and your phone to take pictures of your big haul. Instead of packing your phone, wallet, and keys in a Ziploc plastic bag, invest in a reusable waterproof bag. Small dry sacks are more environmentally responsible than single-use plastics.

Visitors don’t need a saltwater fishing license as long as they fish from a for-hire guide or charter vessel that has a valid vessel license, or if the operator of the vessel has a valid recreational saltwater vessel license in the name of the operator.

While the majority of deep sea fishing charters in Miami don’t require a passport, it’s a good idea to pack your passport book or card. Many charters, especially multi-day charters, can reach international waters.

Leave behind a healthier ocean for future generations

Make a few simple choices and reduce the impact you make on the Earth. Leave behind a healthy ocean for your kids when you take a deep sea fishing trip. South Florida has stunning beaches and the only barrier reef in the contiguous United States. Update your packing list by choosing environmentally conscious items from this guide when you visit Miami and the surrounding area.

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

Is it really possible to travel to a land that may be a real life legend?

It seems as though it is, because the location of the mythical lost island of Atlantis is often theorized to be the Canary Islands.

Through the centuries philosophers, poets, writers, archeologists, soothsayers, mystics, and dreamers have speculated that Atlantis may have been in the Mediterranean, but most thought it to be in the Atlantic, as the name certainly implies.

We won’t weigh in on that debate, but in our research of this Spanish archipelago just off of the Northwest African coast we did find scientific assurances that the islands have not ever, nor would soon, sink into the sea.

Belief in a long lost landmass aside, the Canary islands have become one of the most popular places on Earth to visit. The magic of nearly perfect weather, beautiful beaches, and stunning scenery combine to make a legendary vacation destination, and we can’t think of a better way to visit than by sea on a Canary Island cruise holiday.

From the rocky, rugged coastlines that are broken up by beautiful beaches, to a soaring mountain summit towering above, there is a year-round feeling of springtime in Spain.

We began our investigation with Tenerife, the largest of the islands, and why not, it has so much to offer. Teide-Pico Viejo, Spain’s tallest peak, dominates the scenery and is both a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Gran Canaria is the other island in the Canary Islands. Flying into LPA Gran Canaria Airport you immediately see how impressive this island is. There are different options to see the island from renting a car to taking an airport taxi transfer. Either way, you will be inspired to explore further.

This dormant volcano reaches over twelve thousand feet above sea level, high enough to have snow fall in winter, even in this subtropical locale. For an amazing view, there is a ski lift style cable car that carries passengers up to a few hundred feet from the top.

Down below, the mountain includes one of the biggest lava tube systems in the world. These caves, left behind after molten rivers of rock flow to the sea, are some of the most interesting volcanic features we have ever explored and only occur in a few places on Earth.

We discovered another mysterious piece of history beckoning for examination when we read about the Pyramids of Guimar. Like Atlantis, there does not seem to be a consensus on when these were built or who was responsible.

Some claim that they are simply piles of stones that farmers stacked while clearing fields only a few hundred years ago, but others see a much more intriguing background. From what we gathered, we tend to come down on the side that they are likely much older.

Perhaps not quite as ancient as Norwegian adventurer Thor Heyerdahl theorized, linking them to the Egyptians and Mayans, but old enough to possibly have been built by the island’s oldest known inhabitants, the Guanches.

That brings us full circle back to Atlantis since some say the Guanches were actually Atlanteans, survivors of the sinking of the lost continent.  More likely they were simply descents of the Berbers from North Africa.

Yet another theory links the pyramids to Masonic symbolism because the main wall points to the sunset on the Summer solstice. Solstices are a very important symbol in Freemasonry, and the land was owned by a Freemason back when the pyramids may have been constructed.

We are undecided as of now, but luckily the ship offers an excursion that includes up close study of the archeological ruins and a tour of the onsite museum that could help us make up our minds.

Other onshore outings include a visit to the Museum of Aloe Vera, a 4×4 romp through the forest, and strolls through some of the island’s historic towns like La Laguna, Garachico, Icod de los Vinos, and Santa Cruz with the added bonus of sampling some delicious local dishes and tapas.

Of course we can’t discuss the Canary Islands without acknowledging the birds, not only those famous yellow ones like Tweety, but the world’s largest collection of parrots at Loro Parque. The park has over three hundred different types, and is also home to penguins, dolphins, whales, and sea lions along with many other animals.

As for those little yellow feathered friends, the name of the islands comes from a different pet, the Latin canariae insulae, meaning islands of dogs. It seems that when the Romans stopped by a couple of millennia ago, they found the inhabitants were fond of canines.

So we wondered, in a which came first the chicken or the egg kind of way, it turns out that the birds are named for the islands, not the other way around.

At least that’s one mystery solved.

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

An ideal solution for a long weekend, especially for all true lovers of mountain walks, fans of historic architecture and medieval castles, as well as people who appreciate tranquillity, contemplation and contact with wild nature is a trip to Krakow and its surroundings. Two or three days are definitely not enough to get to know all the beauty of this area – trips around Małopolska (the province whose capital is Krakow) can be organized in parts and you can enjoy its extraordinary charm almost all year around. So what is worth sightseeing?

Krakow

Krakow is the former capital of Poland. According to most of the tourist rankings, Krakow is one of the most visited cities by tourists from around the world. However, it is not so unbelievable – the climatic Hejnał Mariacki (bugle call), played every hour from the tower of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church (colloquially from the Mariacka Tower), is to be remembered by more than one tourist, sipping coffee on the Krakow Market Square. Worth seeing is also St. Florian’s Gate, an unusually charming Old Town and the Wawel Royal Castle.

Zakopane

Zakopane is, undoubtedly, the main attraction of Małopolska. Ski jumping lovers can find the place called Wielka Krokiew (well-known ski jumping hill, where international competitions were organized) very fascinating. The most famous street in the city and the promenade are Krupówki. Many tourists often complain about the dizzying prices of all the attractions situated on this street, still, there are many people willing to walk on this legendary thousand-meter-long route. For the fans of hiking, Morskie Oko in Zakopane is a must-see! It is a lake, located in the Valley of Rybi Potok. The 8-kilometre-long trail ends with an amazing and unforgettable view of the panorama of the mountains and extremely picturesque reservoir.

The Witcher’s village

Fans of the computer game ‘The Witcher 3 – Wild Hunt’, will certainly be interested in the village, which became an inspiration for the creators and a real challenge for the graphic designers of this game. Zalipie is situated in the Małopolska Province and is famous for the fact that every house, or rather a cottage located in the village is decorated with unique, floral folk ornaments. It is an extremely characteristic and captivating place that has been added to the list of Małopolska’s most unique attractions.

 “Wieliczka” Salt Mine

Everyone is charmed by beautiful and majestic, forged in natural salt, spacious rooms, mysterious underground lakes, as well as artistic, salty sculptures. It is all closed in the area of the old salt mine, over 135 meters below the surface. It should be mentioned that in the recently organized (by the newspaper “Rzeczpospolita”) ranking of the seven wonders of Poland, the ‘Wieliczka’ Salt Mine occupied a high position. You can visit this place and form your own opinion about whether this nomination was right. It is not very uncommon for Polish tourists to forget about this unusual place, while the foreign guests put “salt mines Krakow” very high on their lists of the most attractive places to visit in Małopolska Province.

More information about Krakow and its surroundings can be found on the website – discovercracow.com (the organizer of Krakow Tours).

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

Sometimes, there’s just this overwhelming feeling that washes over you and you just find yourself drooling for some smoked, just-off-the-grill barbecue. You can make your own mouth-watering creations on a Watson’s propane grill.

However, if you don’t have time or are traveling you can still satisfy your cravings at budget-friendly barbecue restaurants. All you need to do is find the best one.

Here are beneficial tips that can assist you with your quest:

They have perfected the technique

 A good ol’ BBQ restaurant should be known for how its methods deliver excellent results. One way to identify if a restaurant offers great barbecue is when other restaurateurs give them positive feedback in their site. They are, after all, the ones who know the steps it takes to achieve the most sumptuous smoked meat.

The best restaurant would offer the perfect:

• Ribs – It’s easy to spot if a diner’s ribs are cooked well. One red flag that means overcooking is when the meat falls off the bone. That’s not what you want. It should be crusty and caramelized outside while still immaculately tender on the inside.

• Brisket – Cooking a brisket properly is one of the most challenging tasks for barbecue restaurants. To tell if the grill master has accomplished the desired technique, you just need to pick up a small portion of the meat and pull it apart. The ideal brisket has some elasticity and shouldn’t be mushy in texture.

• Coleslaw – As the perfect side dish to any barbecue meal, an excellent restaurant would keep the cabbage fresh, crispy, and green on the side. Moreover, the mayonnaise sauce should blend well with the meat not fight with it.

• Barbecue Sauce – A good BBQ sauce should help enhance the flavor of the meat. However, if too much sauce masks the meat, it defeats the purpose of grilling since the smoky flavor would be drowned out.

2. They have positive reviews from customers

 While determining delicious food from the not-so-yummy ones is undoubtedly subjective, a remarkable place should be consistent with how its food tastes. Online reviews from various websites and social media platforms can help give you an idea of how the establishment is faring regarding their product as well as service.

In an article for Forbes, Cliff Oxford noted that owners of barbecue restaurants should have two jobs. One is to cook the meat and the other one is at the cash register. That way, he or she gets to hear both the complaints and compliments.

3. They have polite and happy staff

 Entering the BBQ restaurant should evoke a feeling of warmth and coziness similar to being home. Staff must meet every customer with a sincere smile and greetings from the door to the table. This would vastly improve your dining experience and allow you to enjoy the delectable food offered to you.

Additionally, staff should know what they are offering you. A decent restaurant provides its staff with adequate training before they can approach customers. Your server should be able to answer general questions about the food and recommend items based on what you want to eat.

4. They have a delightful ambience

 Eating out should involve all your senses. It is essential that a restaurant’s design and décor complement the food. Budget-friendly establishments do not necessarily have to match a five-star place’s look but they should still provide you with a pleasant experience. They should at least have comfortable seats and sparkling utensils.

Cleanliness is also crucial for places where you eat your meals. It unquestionably adds points to the diner if you are taken to a spotless table. Check the shop’s restrooms if they consistently keep it spick-and-span. There shouldn’t be any leaks in the plumbing and fixtures. Floors should be clean and dry while door locks should be functioning well. All of these indicate that they value their customers and train their staff on proper hygiene.

5. They entice you to come back again

 Ultimately, a sign of an exceptional restaurant is when you want to keep on coming back. One of the best things you can do for the owners is to become a regular customer and bring your friends so that they can enjoy the gastronomical pleasures that this restaurant provides.

Conclusion:

 Barbecue restaurants abound in the country. A great way to widen your experience is to go on a road trip based on the different food places you want to try out. On trips, you can make friends along the way and have them recommend hole-in-the-walls that may just become your new favorite must-eats.

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.