Maria Stefanopoulos, Author at Ingenious Travel

Walking Tour of Dubrovnik Croatia Old Town

Posted in Europe, Family Travel, Groups, Travel, on 16 April 2021, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

Nicknamed the “Pearl of the Adriatic”, Dubrovnik is certainly a treasure of picturesque and stunning scenery in the country of Croatia. The entire city is a wonderful sight to see, but its walled Old Town remains as the city’s crowning glory. There is no better way to explore this old fortress than to follow the direction of your own two feet.

You can begin your exploration from several other gates of the Old Town, but my personal favorite is from the ever-busy Pile Gate. Upon entry, it immediately sweeps you off your feet to a dizzying but exciting array of intriguing sights to see.

Why Dude Ranch Vacations Are Perfect For Groups

Posted in Unique Getaways, on 2 April 2021, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

A Dude Ranch is a perfect vacation option, especially for traveling with a group of friends and/or family. It’s the original Western vacation that’s gaining more popularity in today’s world. The concept of the Dude Ranch began around the early 19th century when ranch owners started hosting guests from the Midwest and East Coast to experience the ranching lifestyle. Ranches are not only cozy, but they have a more ‘home away from home’ kind of appeal.

Three reasons why a dude ranch vacation is perfect for groups:

Visit any time of year

Most dude ranches operate year round and offer a variety of seasonal activities. This allows you to travel on your schedule.

Where to visit in Morocco

Posted in Africa, Travel, Unique Getaways, on 19 March 2021, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

For now, Morocco remains relatively untouched by mass tourism, however there are some spots on the tourist map that are particularly well served for visitors.

Agadir: Morocco’s Number 1 Tourist Area

Situated towards the south of Morocco on the Atlantic coast, Agadir boasts 9 Km of superb white sandy beach and all the amenities of a modern seaside resort.

Agadir boasts 300 days of hot sunshine, which is also especially prominent in winter months. Here you can find many five-star hotels and a huge supply of hotel beds, reputedly a quarter of the total in Morocco.

Initially, there seems little sign of the rich history and tradition to be found in other Moroccan cities, although if you search it out, you will find it within the depths of the town. This is largely due to an unprecedented earthquake that shook Agadir in 1961. It has now been re-modelled as a popular package holiday destination, as well as a major fishing port.

Once dubbed the Miami of Morocco, Agadir offers a wide range of activities – along the beach, camel rides, parascending, scooters and speed boats, as well as horse riding, tennis and an 18-hole golf course.

The World Is Your Classroom

Posted in Travel, on 5 March 2021, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

Traveling frequently can broaden our horizons and teach us some valuable life lessons. While traveling, we are in a constant learning process in which the world is our classroom, and everyone and everything around us acts as books and teachers to teach us something every day. Here are four valuable lessons that traveling teaches you.

1. It teaches us to appreciate experiences over things

One of the greatest lessons that traveling teaches us is appreciating and valuing our experiences more than material things. We realize that we need very little to be able to live a happy and content life. While we are always occupied with the desire to have more, traveling often helps us understand that we need very little to be happy. When we are away from our mundane lives, and not so much involved in our phones or cars, etc., we realize how experience and memories matter more than the material things that we focus too much on.

2. It gives us the courage to step out of our comfort zone

When we travel, we gradually gather the courage to step out of our comfort zone and try new things. Sometimes, we encounter challenges that reveal our true potential and boost our self-confidence. We realize that there is so much out there in the world that we have not experienced yet, and it encourages us to accept new challenges and explore a whole world of possibilities. Since we are constantly learning, we begin to feel the excitement that comes with new experiences, and gradually, our fears fade away.

3. It helps us understand others in a better way

We all have grown up with some beliefs and value systems based on which we judge others. Traveling helps us explore different cultures, beliefs, and value systems and understand others in a better way. When we interact with people, we learn about their experiences, look at their struggles and listen to their stories. All these things help us sympathize with people and make sense of their beliefs better instead of passing judgments. Traveling allows us to take off our glasses or biased lens as we get immersed in different cultures. Similarly, we also get to educate people about our culture, beliefs, and values. This mutual exchange helps make the world a better place in which we can all co-exist and respect each other.

4. It helps us learn patience

Patience is extremely important in life, and it is one of those things that we lack during our everyday lives. We find it hard to wait at the signals, we lash out on people when they get late, and we panic when things do not work on time. Travelling often teaches us to be patient and wait for things to fall in place. When we are away from our comfort zone, and in a foreign place, we often encounter situations where we can do nothing but just hope and wait for things to fall in place. This increases our patience levels, and we learn to respond and adapt during difficult situations, instead of getting angry or panicked.

Traveling frequently can positively impact our personalities and help us become a better version of ourselves. We should make it a habit to travel as much as we can to keep learning and growing. Our travel partners are offering extremely flexible and adaptable booking opportunities, and inventory is filling up with all this pent up demand. Reach out to us to have a quick chat about your future travel.

3 Fantastic Castle Stays in Ireland

Posted in Europe, Family Travel, Girlfriend Getaways, Groups, Ireland, Luxury, on 5 February 2021, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

Most people dream of one day living in the regal and whimsical castles they read about from childhood in storybooks. Now that many castles are opening their doors to the general public, you can live out your fantasy in the grandest fashion. Here are three of the best castles you can stay at in Ireland:

Photo from Lough Eske Castle, County Donegal

Lough Eske Castle, County Donegal

The Lough Eske Castle has, over the years, witnessed conquest, defeat, destruction, and restoration. Its long and vibrant history has established it as a symbol of warm Donegal hospitality, attracting international guests for over 150 years. The castle has earned a long list of awards and accreditations during this time, and rightfully so!

This impressive architectural wonder, with its tall steeples and majestic forests, has something to offer everyone! Its interior is intricately designed, with scintillating marble flooring, romantic fireplaces, spiral staircases, and brimming, unashamed extravagance.

If you manage to pull yourself away from the opulent interior, you will get to experience what many call the “walker’s paradise” as the International Appalachian Trail passes by the castle. There are also many amenities, such as an indoor swimming pool, fine dining with local cuisines, and a luxurious five-star spa. There are many activities to participate in like horse riding, archery, kayaking, and even surfing – if you’re willing to make the trip to Rossnowlagh or Bundoran.

What is Culinary Tourism?

Posted in Culinary, Food, Wine, on 22 January 2021, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

In 2001, the president of the International Culinary Tourism Association, Erik Wolf presented a white paper about culinary tourism. That paper was then made into a book, which marked the beginning of the emergent growth of culinary tourism.

From visiting famous locations to experiencing different cultures, people have a variety of reasons for traveling around the globe. In the realm of culinary tourism, one reason takes the cake. Food. The world is full of diverse cultures and unique traditions waiting to be explored by curious travelers. For culinary tourists, food stands as the defining factor that represents the true essence of any region. However, it’s more than just about trying out new foods and beverages – it’s a learning experience that encompasses the food’s history, how the food is made, and how it’s served and eaten.

What does Culinary Tourism include?

In the past few years, culinary tourism has become an increasingly prominent travel trend. For all the food and wine enthusiasts, there are several options of culinary tours, food competitions, wine events, and even cooking classes. So you can easily choose a culinary tourism travel package that fits your preference.

7 City Nicknames from Around the World

Posted in Europe, on 21 January 2021, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

The City of Light. The Bride of the Sea. The Eternal City. Have you ever wondered where your favorite cities and destinations earned their nicknames? From pop culture to architectural highlights, learn the origins of some of the world city nicknames! How many of these did you know?

The Fair City – Dublin, Ireland

The Irish are known for their love of cheeky rhymes and ballads. That’s why it comes as no surprise that Ireland’s nickname actually stems from popular tune and Dublin’s unofficial anthem, Molly Mallone. “In Dublin’s fair city, where the girls are so pretty…”

City of 100 Spires – Prague, Czech Republic

A panoramic view of the city is the only explanation needed for this nickname! A 19th century mathematician counted the number of spires and coined this nickname. Today, the spire count is closer to 500 but the “City of 500 Spires” just doesn’t have quite the same ring to it.

9 Best Places to Visit in Germany

Posted in Europe, on 13 November 2020, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

When you think of European “big cities,” you think of Paris in France, Rome in Italy, and London in England. But what about Germany? This country is unique in that it doesn’t have just one big city – it has many! So, how will you decide which you want to visit first? Take a tour of Germany’s favorite cities to see which ones will make it onto your vacation’s itinerary.

Berlin

The capital city of Germany offers an enormous amount of things to see and do. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Museum Island offers five different museums ranging from art to history. Those into history should visit the Memorial of the Murdered Jews as well as Checkpoint Charlie. The Berlin Zoo is one of the most popular zoos in Europe with over 1500 different species to see. For relaxation, try one of the thousands of swimming lakes surrounding the city.

Five Must-See Destinations in Chile

Posted in Adventure Travel, Family Travel, Unique Getaways, on 6 November 2020, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

Chile is the narrowest nation throughout the world yet it’s borders provide some of the most diverse terrain. From waterfalls to mountains, hot springs to volcanoes… you never know what you might come across next. It’s no secret that the country provides a vast array of exciting things to do and see for people of all ages. As a foreigner entering the nation you will find that the rich culture, amazing cuisine, lively nightlife, and sightseeing can keep you busy for a lifetime, so we’ve created a list of four of Chile’s best destination spots that you must-see first.

Santiago

Santiago is the capital of this majestic country and it certainly doesn’t lack character. As the largest city in Chile, you will find that it is favored by residents and tourists for many reasons. Each neighborhood nestled within the city’s borders is distinctly different from the next. For instance, as you enter Bellavista, you are introduced to historical European homes and a free spirited energy that you simply can’t ignore. With colorful buildings, marketplaces and street art around nearly every corner, your eyes could wonder each crevice and still find new details while your ears get to hear the pleasant sounds of live music fill the air.