It wasn’t until a recent trip to Italy that it hit me that my friends and I had been carrying out the age-old tradition of the hill town in our own backyards. There I was sitting on the back patio of Agriturismo La Pietriccia, sucking in the Tuscan flavors–house wine, cheeses and cured meats–as the sun set over Chianciano Vecchia (the old town of present day Chianciano Terme) on the crest above, and I realized I was staring at Tuscany’s version of the 50 footer–albeit on a much larger and historic scale.

Central Italy is famous for its hill towns. Their crumbling stone walls seem to cling to every rocky peak, watching over the manicured valleys and vineyards as the rush of the 21st century passes by below. Siena and San Gimignano are the most well known in Tuscany, but they are certainly not the only ones. During our stay at the agriturismo, Beth and I visited three hill towns, including Chianciano Terme, in the Siena Province. Each one offering a tranquil taste of what eludes so many visitors to Italy.

Montalcino

Montalcino, Italy

If Virginia is for lovers then Montalcino is for wine lovers. This medieval hill town is famous for its Brunello di Montalcino red wines, and features a number of charming enoteche (wine bars)–even the 14th century fortezza contains one. Just a few miles outside of Montalcino, in a valley of olive trees, stands Abbey of Sant’Antimo, considered to be one of the top architectural remains of the Romanesque Period. Several times a day the church’s community of monks fill the 12th century stone hall with the harmonious sounds of traditional Gregorian chants. These performances are free and open to the public.

Pienza

Pienza, Italy

Looking out over the gentle, carefully cultivated hills of Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is easy to see why locally born pope Pius II chose to remodel his hometown in the style of his day: Renaissance. Pienza, named after pope Pius, is still full of renaissance architecture and bustles with the feel of a modern day medieval village. Besides the architecture and epic views, Pienza is also known for its sheep’s milk cheese, pecorino. Plus, with streets names like Via Dell’Amore (Love), Via Del Bacio (Kiss) and Via Della Fortuna (Fortune), it is difficult not to fall hard for this little hilltop town.

Chianciano Vecchia

Wine tasting at Agricola Fontanelle with Riccardo at the helm.

From Agriturismo La Pietriccia, Chianciano Vecchia is only a 10 minute walk following Via Madonna della Rossa down into the valley and up the other side. Our time in Chianciano Vecchia was limited to a wine tasting in the cave-like cellars of Agricola Fontanelle, where winemaker Riccardo Rosati and his two brothers produce world-class wines from experience they’ve inherited from generations of family winemaking. Despite only spending a few hours with Riccardo and his family, sampling their wines and incredible selection of cured meats and olive oil, we felt like locals, just visiting with some friends on a weekday night.

Underestimating all the interesting things to see and do, I had given myself just two days to explore the city before joining my Mexico Ancient Civilizations tour.

While a week would be ideal, it’s still possible to see and do quite a lot in 48 hours. Here’s how I spent my time.

The First 24 Hours

VISIT: Historic City Center – Zocolo, Catedral Metropolitana, Templo Mayor, Palacio Nacional, Palacio de Bella Artes

Metropolitan Cathedral.

Mexico City’s historic city center, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, deserves a full day in itself.

The Zocalo, or main square, is one of the largest in the world, and features the Metropolitan Cathedral, the largest in the Americas.

Adjacent the Cathedral, or perhaps I should say underneath it, are the ancient Aztec ruins of Templo Mayor.

Discovered by accident in 1978, the site of the Great Temple continues to be excavated and studied, and offers a fascinating look back at the history of how this land was once used.

Entrance to the ruins costs $4.75, and includes access to a large, modern museum built on site.

The National Palace faces the main plaza as well, and is known for its Diego Rivera murals depicting Mexico’s history.

A fifteen minute walk west from the Zocolo on the pedestrian-only street of Francisco Madero leads to one of Mexico City’s most beautiful buildings, the Palace of Fine Arts.

Palace of Fine Arts.

Built in the Art Nouveau style, the palace hosts performances by the Mexican ballet, as well as a museum featuring temporary exhibits, and large murals, including several by Diego Rivera.

The incredibly clean Parque Alameda, next to the Palace of Fine Arts, offers locals and tourists alike the chance to grab a bench by one of several fountains, and take a break.

If you still have energy left by this point, there are several more museums and churches dotted around the park.

EAT: Cafe de Taguba

Group dinner at Cafe de Taguba.

Founded in 1912, Cafe de Taguba is housed in a 17^th-century building, with a richly decorated dining area. The menu is classic Mexican, and while it may be a little pricy by backpacking standards, it’s worth it for the atmosphere alone.

Gaby, our CEO, suggested we eat here for our first group dinner, and everyone enjoyed it.

DRINK: Plaza Garibaldi

Plaza Garibaldi, also known as “Mariachi Square” is widely known as the home of mariachi music in Mexico City. Surrounded by bars, the plaza is frequented day and night with mariachi bands looking to entertain in exchange for a few pesos.

Sunday evenings are the most popular time of the week for Mexicans to visit the plaza, and thus it draws out the greatest number of musicians too. Grab a beer at one of the bars, and take in the atmosphere of an authentic Mexican experience.

The Second 24 Hours

VISIT: Frida Kahlo Museum

Frida Kahlo Museum.

Frida Kahlo is one of Mexico’s best known artists, with her marriage to fellow artist Diego Rivera serving to elevate elevate her status even further. After her death in 1954, her former home and studio, La Casa Azul (The Blue House), was donated by Rivera for the purpose of turning it into a museum.

Admission costs $6.50, or $11.50 if you want to take photos. Information is presented in Spanish and English throughout the house, and you can see both a small collection of paintings, as well as a pre-Hispanic urn containing Kahlo’s ashes in the bedroom.

VISIT: Casa Luis Barragan

Architecture fans will want to head to Casa Luis Barragan, another house-turned-museum in the same area of the city as Casa Azul. Barragan was a 20^th century Mexican architect known for his modern housing designs. In 2004, his former home was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Unlike Kahlo’s home, Casa Luis Barragan is only accessible via a guided tour, which is included with the $16 entrance fee. During the visit, you’ll learn about Barragan’s life, as well as his design ideas through their application in the house.

VISIT: UNAM Campus

Contemporary Art Museum on UNAM’s campus.

One metro stop south of Casa Barragan is the Central University City Campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, or UNAM for short.

According to UNESCO, “the campus constitutes a unique example of 20th-century modernism integrating urbanism, architecture, engineering, landscape design and fine arts with references to local traditions, especially to Mexico’s pre-Hispanic past. The ensemble embodies social and cultural values of universal significance and is one of the most significant icons of modernity in Latin America.”

One look at the campus on Google Maps, and you’ll realize it’s far too large to walk. Luckily, there’s a free shuttle bus service available to visitors and students alike. Taxis are also available around campus.

I began my visit at the Contemporary Art Museum, where I also grabbed brunch. I then walked around the corner to the Ecological Reserve and Sculpture Park, before hailing a taxi to see UNAM’s most popular building, the Central Library, which is covered in murals made up of small painted tiles.

EAT: Pujol

Fish ceviche taco at Pujol.

A week before arriving in Mexico City, the 2013 list of the 50 best restaurants in the world was announced. Upon seeing Pujol ranked #17, I immediately made a 2 PM lunch reservation. It’s one of only three restaurants in Latin America currently ranked in the top 20.

Chef Enrique Olvera’s restaurant surpassed my expectations. Unlike Astrid y Gaston (ranked #14) in Lima, Pujol offers a more intimate experience, with just 13 tables. The service was impeccable, with the bilingual staff working together as a team throughout my meal.

Highlights of the 10-course, $80 tasting menu included: roasted beef tartar with alfalfa and serrano chile, fish ceviche taco, pork confit, and all three desserts.

Knowledge comes from knowing here we’ve gone wrong and working to make it right again

Now think about how awesome the world would be if everyone harnessed his or her brainpower to benefit the planet. We’ve got a nice little video for you to highlight the ways that knowledge can help change the world – check it out:

None of us is as smart as all of us — which is why we created the G Project — and we’re thrilled that you’re helping to support ideas that will help to reshape our world for the better. Here are a few ideas from the Knowledge category that have caught our eye:

Actors 4 Action: The Power of Story in Making Sustainable Change by Kim Kennett

The Power of Story in Making Sustainable Change

This unique idea focuses on educating African countries of the myths of child “witchcraft,” thus seeking to prevent the torture and death of children falsely accused of sorcery. By creating a troupe of orphaned youths who can share their experiences being accused, this idea will bring firsthand knowledge to sub-Saharan communities. Check out Kim’s idea here.

A Little Blue Travel Booklet That Might Just Change The World by Tracey Friley

A Little Blue Travel Booklet That Might Just Change The World

In this global awareness initiative, a “passport party” would grant free passports to 100 American girls who would not be able to afford one themselves. This would open up world travel to help underserved young girls across the nation, and grant their travel wishes in the process. Check out Tracey’s idea here.

The White Hat Project by Abi Paul

The White Hat Project

This proposed crowd-sourced venture looks to provide free business acumen to potential entrepreneurs who may not be able to afford it otherwise. Aside from helping foster new businesses, this exchange of advice and consultation would create community as well. Check out Abi’s idea here.

Get out and vote!

Thanks to changemakers like you, the G Project is on track for over 4,000 voters registered and over 12,000 votes cast! More than 250 innovative ideas have been submitted so far from over 90 countries, and more are coming in every day.

Click over to the G Project now and show your support with a vote. But don’t let the good ideas stop there – you have until June 3, 2013 to submit a pitch of your own. Let the brainstorms of knowledge continue!

Here is a list of my top five Outback experiences!

1. Swag Camping Under the Stars

Growing up in Southern California, I’m no stranger to camping. But I have to admit it was my first time camping without a tent! We rolled out a swag each night by the campfire and counted shooting stars instead of sheep.

Camping under the stars in the Outback.

2. Jumping Crocodile Cruise

Just one hour from Darwin you’ll find the Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise on the Adelaide River. Our cruise led us down the river in search of crocs! As one of our cruise guides held bait out over the edge of the boat, we watched in astonishment as crocodiles jumped completely out of the water. It was one of the most unique experiences I’ve ever had and something not to be missed.

3. The Ghan Train

I took an overnight journey from Alice Springs to Darwin on the famous Ghan Train. The historical train offers an experience for every budget from ultra luxurious private cabins to comfy sleeper seats.

The Ghan Train

4. Eating a Witchetty Grub

Something uniquely Outback is eating a Witchetty Grub. The Aboriginal people of Australia dig these grubs out of the roots of trees and eat them for their rich nutrients. Sometimes to best way to experience culture is through food! (Even if it’s a bug!)

5. Swimming at Litchfield National Park

After witnessing the jumping crocs, I was a bit apprehensive about entering any body of water in the Nothern Territory. Luckily, there are gorgeous swimming spots in Litchfield National Park that are completely croc-free. Buley Rockhole has waterfalls flowing into big natural water holes perfect for cooling off.

Swimming at Litchfield National Park.

This is just a handful of the incredible adventures I had in Northern Territory. The opportunities for exploring this part of Australia are endless. It’s no wonder why the Northern Territory has become one of my favorite destinations in the world!

As CEO Govind mentions in the video below, the best part of India is how it can come as a complete surprise – and totally change your perceptions of this vibrant country. Check it out:

Video by GMT

So when you’re standing on the edge of that bridge or canopy of that airplane mustering up the courage to jump, be sure to take a look around at the scenery. It will humble you. That’s what makes New Zealand such an amazing setting to push your limits and test your comfort zone.

Here are our top seven adrenaline picks from our recent trip around New Zealand during the New Zealand Encompassed Tour.

Note: The tour features heaps of included adventure activities such as surfing, kayaking, mountain biking and hiking. But if you want to dial it up a notch and are wondering which of the optional activities to book, here are some memorable choices. In no particular order:

Hang Gliding near Abel Tasman National Park

As a kid, did you ever dream of flying like a bird? Well, now you have a chance to fulfill that dream.

Fly like a bird. Tandem hang gliding.

An ultralight plane tows you and Trevor, your hang gliding master, up to about 2,500 feet and then it lets you go. Then it’s time to fly…on your own. Literally. You’ll have an opportunity to steer the hang glider and take it for a couple of spins and turns. The entire experience – the tow, the release and the descent – lasts about 20 minutes. The setting for this experience, just outside Abel Tasman National Park, is just stunning – views of the water, mountains and fields below. The sensation is like no other and offers a worthwhile life experience regardless of age or physical condition.

Details: Tasman Sky Adventures in Motueka.

Glacier Hiking at Franz Josef Glacier

It’s one thing to admire the surreal blue of Franz Josef Glacier from afar, it’s another to strap crampons to your boots and get amongst it. And that’s exactly what we did at Franz Josef Glacier.

Glacier hiking at Franz Josef.

A helicopter transports you (a cool experience in and of itself) from the town of Franz Josef to a landing pad right atop the glacier. From there, you spend approximately three hours with a guide hiking over the ice, through psychedelic blue ice caves, over ice crags and down slopes. You’ll never look at ice quite the same ever again.

Details: You can book the Ice Explorer (or other helicopter trips) with Franz Josef Glacier Guides directly in the town of Franz Josef or online in advance (recommended). All departures are weather dependent. Try to reserve as early a timeslot as possible as weather conditions are usually best in the morning.

Bungee Jumping in Queenstown

Whether you bungee solo or tandem with your loved one, there’s nothing quite like the sensation of voluntarily jumping off a bridge. You just have to try it to appreciate the terror of what you are committing yourself to. Our advice: go quickly before you have a chance to really think about what you’re about to do.

Love is a leap of faith, right? A Valentine’s Day bungee jump.

One of the things that always concerned us about bungee jumping was that the initial bounce would be jarring, like a snap. Instead, it’s soft, elastic and surprisingly enjoyable. We’re absolutely glad we did this.

Details: Stop by the AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand shop in Queenstown. They’ll walk you through all your bungee options, from Kawarau Bridge (43 meters and the original site of bungee jumping) to Nevis (134 meters). One piece of advice: don’t watch all the videos before you book your jump…or you may talk yourself out of it before you leave the shop.

White Water Rafting on the Kaituna River

Like everything in New Zealand, rafting can also be taken to adrenaline extremes. Within half an hour of dropping your raft into the Kaituna, you’ll be shooting over a 7-meter (23-foot) waterfall. The concept may sound terrifying, but the experience is an absolute blast – even, or perhaps especially, for first-time whitewater rafters.

What going over a 7-meter waterfall looks like.

Even if you’ve never been rafting before, we highly recommend trying this experience. In addition to the fun of the class five rapids and sheer drops, the rainforest setting of this segment of the Kaituna River is simply stunning.

Details: The great (and hilarious) guides at Kaitiaki Adventures will get you suited up, trained and in the water before you know it.

Skydiving at Fox Glacier

If you’ve ever entertained the idea of skydiving, then Fox Glacier just near Franz Josef is the place to do it. With Mount Cook, Mount Tasman, and Fox Glacier below you, it’s hard to imagine a more scenic place to fall from the sky. (This jump is said to the 2nd most beautiful in the world next to Everest which costs a small fortune and features a six year wait list.). The skydive at Fox Glacier is accessible and based on the reactions of everyone who did it, a blast!

The sheer joy of falling from the sky.

Details: Try and book your skydive at least one day before with SkyDive Fox Glacier just outside of Franz Josef. You’ll have the option of jumping from 12,000 or 16,000 feet. At that point, does it matter? Everything is weather dependent, so try and reserve an early morning time slot.

Caving, Abseiling and Glow Worms in Waitomo

Part of the fun of heading deep into the Waitomo Caves is to see glow worms light up the roof of the cave like stars on a clear night. The glow worms are cool, but the real adventure comes in getting down into, through and out of the cave network via abseiling (or rappelling) , cave diving and rock climbing. Who knew that you could exert so much energy underground?

Abseiling down a waterfall into the Waitomo Caves.

Details: We took the Haggas Honking Holes Tour which is the most adrenaline-packed cave tour on offer at Waitomo Adventures. For something a bit lower key, black water rafting and other options are available.

Swimming with Dolphins in Kaikoura

Although we’ve seen our share of dolphins swimming along our boat or jumping playfully in the air around us, absolutely nothing in our experience compares to actually swimming with them in the wild.

They are fast! If you think you’re quick, they’re quicker!

Swimming with dusky dolphins in Kaikoura

And we’re not just talking one or two dolphins, but hundreds of them. It is truly an incredible experience to have several or even dozens of dusky dolphins swimming circles around you. Amazing!

Details: Dolphin Encounter runs several trips a day from Kaikoura, weather depending. If the seas are too rough, the trip will be canceled for safety reasons. Although you’ll be outfitted with a nice buoyant wetsuit, you must be a confident swimmer, as you’ll be in the open water. You’ll have five opportunities to get into the water to swim with dolphins.

Snorkel or Scuba Dive in the Red Sea

Photo by Cailin

A small piece of Jordan is on the Gulf of Aqaba, which is an arm of the Red Sea. This Gulf is actually shared by Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Egypt, and is known for its awesome coral reefs and shipwrecks including a submerged tank. It’s also a great spot for snorkeling and scuba diving. Also, where else can you lay on the beach and see three other countries within 270 degrees?

Eat falafels and hummus

Photo by Cailin

While in Jordan I literally had the BEST hummus of my life, and the best falafels as well, but that might be in part to the fact that it was my first time ever eating falafels. I was told that I picked a great place to try them for the first time. My favorite place to enjoy them both was at a popular restaurant in downtown Amman called Hashem. One of the only restaurants open 24/7 in the city, it is also a favorite place of the Kings.

Visit the ancient city of Jerash

Photo by Cailin

Located north of Amman, this ancient Roman city was destroyed by earthquakes and wars and wasn’t found again until 1806. It is now home to a modern city that was largely built upon the ruins; because of this, only 20% of the ancient city has been excavated, but that is still an extremely large area. Here you can visit the ancient forum and theater, and walk down streets flanked with ancient Roman columns. Jerash is best seen with a tour guide that can tell you every amazing detail about this ancient city.

Spend the night in Wadi Rum

Photo by Cailin

While on my G Adventures Highlights of Jordan tour, we got to spend a night in the famous Wadi Rum desert at a Bedouin camp. We took a 4×4 excursion through the desert, rode camels, had a bonfire, did some amazing stargazing, ate traditional Bedouin food and probably had one too many delicious Bedouin teas. At night we slept in our own tents at our private fully-equipped G Adventures Camp, and it was definitely an experience I’ll remember forever.

Spend at least one day at Petra

Photo by Cailin

Petra is simply beautiful and amazing – no wonder it is the number one tourist destination in the country. If you visit, make sure you plan on spending one or even two days there so you have enough time to explore the city. Many people think of Petra and think of the iconic Treasury, and don’t realize that there is so much more to it. Petra was originally carved with 500 tombs and only 100 of those are visible from excavations today. You can climb over the rocks and get amazing 360 views of the area, ride camels and donkeys or “Bedouin Safaris,” and just be in awe of this masterpiece. The treasury alone took 50 years to be carved from stone from top to bottom, so I can hardly begin to imagine how much time and effort went into making this ancient city what it is today.

Float in the Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is one of the oddest phenomenons in the world. At 37% salinity, it is eight times saltier than the ocean, and because of this no living things are able to survive – and everything floats. It is literally impossible to swim in the Dead Sea, although you can certainly try. My two big tips would be to avoid getting the water in your mouth or eyes, and definitely go for the Dead Sea mud and cover yourself in it. Your skin will definitely thank you after.

To learn more about things to do in Jordan watch my newest video Jordan in a Minute.

]]> https://www.gadventures.com/blog/tips-for-what-you-should-visit-in-jordan/feed/ 5 https://www.gadventures.com/blog/g-project-this-is-your-planet-keep-it-beautiful/ https://www.gadventures.com/blog/g-project-this-is-your-planet-keep-it-beautiful/#comments Thu, 02 May 2013 14:44:29 +0000 Caitlin Hotchkiss https://www.gadventures.com/blog/?p=12433 Thanks to changemakers like you, the G Project is on track for over 3,000 voters registered, with thousands of votes cast this week. More than 200 innovative ideas have been submitted so far from over 70 countries, with more coming in every day. This is why we created the G Project, and we’re thrilled that you’re helping to support ideas that will help to reshape our world for the better.

Beauty isn’t immaculate. It has flaws. Cracks. Imperfections. It surrounds us. Everywhere. And when we need it, we can always make more.

Beauty surrounds us

This week, we wanted to focus on the Beauty category. At the G Project, we’re of the opinion that the beauty of the planet is something that adds a certain sparkle to the everyday. Think about it: lush green rainforests, shining blue oceans, multi-hued coral reefs. What would it be like if these things disappeared?

We firmly believe that these beautiful environmental creations must be preserved for future generations – and contributors to the G Project think so, too. Here are a few examples of G Project Beauty submissions:

10 Pieces for a Cleaner World by Lisa Vitaris

10 Pieces for A cleaner World by Lisa Vitaris

 

This initiative is simple but effective – it encourages travellers to pick up ten pieces of litter while on their trips. Developing countries especially have a problem with garbage cluttering the communities, and this idea works on the principle that if every traveller helps to clean up just a little bit, there will be a huge collective impact. Check out Lisa’s idea.

Operation WOW: Watching Our Wildlife by Malcolm Fisher

Operation WOW: Watching Our Wildlife by Malcolm Fisher.

Australia’s wildlife is facing a double whammy: they’re rapidly losing their natural habitat, and they’re not properly appreciated or understood due to their nocturnal natures (the ringtail possum in particular). With this idea, not only would nesting boxes be set up, but they would be equipped with small cameras so people can observe the wildlife and their native habits. Check out Malcolm’s idea.

Restoring Coral Reefs Using Blue Renewable Sustainable Energy by Delphine Robbe

Restoring Coral Reefs Using Blue Renewable Sustainable Energy by Delphine Robbe.

In Indonesia, Biorock technology has been helping to restore and protect coral reefs. This idea looks to build upon this by creating a prototype tidal turbine to harness the power of the coral reef, thus creating a new source of energy from a particularly beautiful piece of the environment. Check out Delphine’s idea.

Get out and vote!

So there you have it – beauty is all around us, and not only is it important to appreciate it, but it’s necessary for us to protect it and build upon it as well. Head on over to the G Project to see more entries in the Beauty category, cast your vote (you can vote once per day on as many ideas as you like), submit an idea of your own (submissions close June 3, 2013) and help change a lot of lives—and the world—for the better.

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