Maria Stefanopoulos, Author at Ingenious Travel

Banff Springs Haunted Hotel| Ingenious Travel

Ghostly Gallivanting: a look at the world’s most haunted places

Posted in Travel, Unique Getaways, on 23 October 2020, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

If you’re into encounters of the spine-tingling variety, you’re part of a small but passionate group of travelers. “Paranormal Travel” enthusiasts participate regularly in online forums, and there’s even a small cottage industry that specializes in highlighting travel to spooky (we mean haunted) destinations. If this interests you or someone you know, here’s a quick list of some of the world’s reportedly most haunted places.

Castle of Good Hope, Capetown, South Africa. This place has some of the standard ghosts — a man who reportedly walks the ramparts, and a crying woman whose haunting ceased when her body was discovered in later excavations. But this castle also claims a supernatural canine that jumps up on guests as they walk the halls. Down, Fido!

Travel restrictions won’t last forever!

Posted in Travel, on 9 October 2020, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

Having to stay home during the pandemic isn’t easy for anyone. Even if you are getting good things from the slowed pace or are finding unexpected joy in the quiet — this time can still be a time of restlessness, uncertainty, and anxiety. You probably know someone (maybe yourself!) who had to cancel a destination wedding, a summer vacation, or a trip they’d been anticipating for months or even years.

If you’re someone who loves to travel, restricted movement can feel especially discouraging. Travel isn’t just about going places. It’s about the entire experience, the anticipation, the joy, about who you are and who you become when you visit someplace new.

There can be a real sorrow in the letting go, especially amidst so many other changes and unknowns. One thing I’ve heard a lot of people saying is, I wish I hadn’t put off taking that trip I always wanted to take.

Beautiful Belgium: 7 Cities You Need to Visit

Posted in Europe, Culinary, River Cruising, on 18 September 2020, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

The land of beer, waffles and chocolate has so much to offer, and we’re not just talking about the food! While small in size, I se packs a punch when it comes to its culture-rich cities, from the capital of Brussels to riverside Dinant. Brush up on your Dutch, German and French and dive into beautiful, bewitching Belgium.

Brussels

No trip to Belgium is complete without a stay in the country’s capital, Brussels! Home to the European Union headquarters, Brussels is an important political hub as well as a cultural one, with grand plazas, ornate buildings, richly-decorated palaces and museums filled with treasures. Grab a piping hot waffle from a street stall, stroll the Grand-Palace square and marvel at the architectural wonders of this bustling city.

Bruges

Bruges steals the hearts of all who visit. The capital of West Flanders, the city is most famous for its string of romantic canals, cobbled streets and medieval architecture. You may have to fight off a few tourists in the summer months for the perfect Instagram photo, but touring this fairy tale city will most certainly be worth it.

Visit Playa del Carmen and Riviera Maya

Posted in Mexico, on 28 August 2020, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

Playa del Carmen to many may not mean more than just a gateway to the island paradise of Cozumel. But, give the town a chance and you will discover that it is a desirable vacation destination in itself.

It is home to some of the most exciting water adventures such as diving the Great Maya Reef, swimming in fresh water sinkholes and plunging in awe-inspiring cenotes or blue holes. The town also offers easy access to the rest of the Riviera Maya to experience exhilarating outdoor escapades in the midst of enthralling nature.

You can start your tour of Playa del Carmen on a relaxing stroll along Quinta Avenida – the town’s popular pedestrian walkway. You will find a plethora of hotels and restaurants in the area and it is also the main shopping district where you can experience countless shops selling all kinds of merchandise. On one side you will find lovely boutiques selling luxury clothes and just around the corner a quirky stall selling a plethora of Mexican handicrafts. The strip runs parallel to the beach so you can simply take a turn to the shoreline anytime you feel like it and spend the rest of the day enjoying the perfect combination of sun, sand and sea.

Chilling Out in Corfu, Greece

Posted in Europe, on 14 August 2020, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

Love to lounge by the beach but also interested in history and archaeological finds? You are in for plenty of fun in the Greek island of Corfu. Its beaches are without question exquisite, but for those looking for diversity there are also other interesting attractions waiting to be explored within Corfu vicinity.

Corfu Town or Kerkyra for the locals is not just a place to crash and sleep but it is also an attraction in itself. It is rich in history and impressive architecture, which make it one of the must-see destinations on the island.

Must-see landmarks in the area include the 16th century stone building of San Giacomo Theater that channels Renaissance architecture in Italy, the ancient Fort opposite the charming Liston Esplanade and St. Spiridons Church and the mummified saint inside. Chilling out is best done in the attractive public square of Spianada where locals and visitors alike congregate to have a good time. But if you are going out at night, Liston is where fun and excitement starts.

Daydream Vacations: the Galapagos Islands

Posted in Adventure Travel, Family Travel, Groups, on 7 August 2020, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

So you’ve crossed off the last item on your “to-do” list, and you have a few minutes of extra time. Even if you are actively counting down the days to your next dream vacation, it can’t come soon enough. Since instant gratification for wanderlust is so hard to find, allow us to introduce the next best thing: a daydream vacation.

Why not take a “me” moment right now? The beauty of a daydream vacation is you get to go any time, regardless of how many vacation days you have saved. Refresh your coffee, mute your inbox notifications, and pull in a few calming breaths. Ready? Great, because we’re going to the Galapagos Islands!

Pinnacle Rock

Our journey begins at Pinnacle Rock on Bartolomé Island – the most visited island in the Galapagos. The cone you see is basalt formed from the eruption of an underwater volcano. Let your eyes slip out of focus as you breathe in the salty air and abandon yourself in reverie of the stillness around you.

Discovering Budapest

Posted in Europe, River Cruising, on 24 July 2020, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is certainly one of the most delightful cities to visit in Europe. It boasts of impressive architecture, cool green spaces, vibrant cultural scenes and rich historical heritage – all of these earned the city a much-deserved nickname of “Pearl of the Danube”. Budapest is also strategically located at the center of Europe’s similarly popular destinations such as Austria, Croatia and the Ukraine, among others. Also, it offers tourists great value for money, without sacrificing on the quality of sights and overall travel experience.

Getting Around Budapest

You can simply hop on a plane from dozens of major cities in Europe, Asia, North Africa and Middle East to get to Budapest. Direct flights are not hard to come by because there are several airlines servicing the area. The country’s major airport is located about 10 miles from the city center and taking a taxi to get to your destination remains the most efficient, albeit most expensive, transportation option.

South Australia’s Magnificent Barossa Valley

Posted in Wine, Australia, Tours, Travel, on 10 July 2020, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

The Barossa Valley is one of Australia’s most significant wine regions. Its thriving community retains strong links to its rich European heritage, now combined with the down-to-earth Australian spirit to create a rich and diverse lifestyle in a relaxed, rural setting close to Adelaide. European farmers (German in particular) and English migrants settled the Barossa Valley from the 1850s, and their rich cultural legacy is evident today in superb Barossa specialty foods and historic architecture. Historic churches, stone buildings, and cottages abound while walking trails, reserves, and forests offer easy access to breathtaking landscapes and scenery.

The Barossa Valley is home to the world-famous Barossa Shiraz and Eden Valley Riesling plus other premium wines, a large range of unique regional produce, and acclaimed restaurants. The Barossa’s vineyards are tended by around 500 grape-growing families, many sixth-generation. There are many small boutique wineries where exquisite wines are sold out within weeks of their launch, along with larger enterprises associated with household names such as Peter Lehmann, Henschke, Seppelt, Yaldara, and Yalumba.

(To explore more wine experiences in South Australia, check out wineries and wine opportunities in the McLaren Vale!)

New Orleans | Jackson Square | Ingenious Travel

Autumn in New Orleans: Parades & Festivals

Posted in Weekend Getaway, New Orleans, Travel, on 19 June 2020, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

New Orleans is open! For those of you looking for a long-weekend destination, but not wanting to travel too far, visting the Big Easy is a must.

Party like it’s Mardi Gras – even in the fall! New Orleans has so much to do year-round. With joyous festivals, sizzling street food, and mariachi bands around every corner, New Orleans is like nowhere else! Read on to discover the best events you can attend this September.

The Photo credit: Paul Broussard

1. Southern Decadence

Catch this fun LGBT+ festival from August 6 – September 1! Each year you’ll find parades with glamorous costumes, street parties, jazz concerts, and much more! Over 200,000 people attend every year, bringing “Gay Mardi Gras” to a city that knows how to party!

Address: French Quarter New Orleans, LA

Yosemite National Park

Posted in Adventure Travel, Family Travel, Groups, skiing, on 5 June 2020, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

With many of us planning to stay closer to home this summer, more and more people are looking at visting national parks, with Yosemite National Park at the top of their list.

Hiking, rock climbing, skiing, biking or plain nature sightseeing – Yosemite National Park is one of the best places in the United States to do all these and more. The natural beauty of the area, with its verdant forests, scenic meadows, gorgeous waterfalls and giant sequoias, qualify the park to be on top of any nature lovers must- visit US sites.

You don’t have to be in top form to fully enjoy the scenic vistas and picturesque views of the park. You can easily reach its attractions in your car or you can hop on the open tour bus for a scenic drive around the area.