10 best couple of july 2019 10 Best Couples of July 2019 2018 Copyright © Cupidtrails Publications cupidtrails.com 3
2019 10 best couple of july Table of Contents Patricia & Miguel........................................................................ Page 8 The best sunsets of Europe...................................................... Page 11 How to see Iceland in four days ............................................ Page 14 How to stay healthy while traveling...................................... Page 17 How to become a mindful traveler ....................................... Page 20 Ashlinn & Jakob ........................................................................ Page 24 Together with a map - Ines & Helder .................................... Page 28 Marrakech .................................................................................. Page 30 Tinkerbells travel-Madi & Brody............................................. Page 33 Why Penang Should Be Your Next Holiday Destination? .Page 34 Marshal & Mary ......................................................................... Page 38 Genna and Odey ........................................................................ Page 42 Explorers saurus - Miguel & Raquel...................................... Page 46 Ubud: Everything You Need to Know .................................... Page 52 Daniele & Alessia........................................................................ Page 55 Around the World in 15 Days, It’s Possible!!......................... Page 58 Hyped to wander - Sarah & Enrique Our around the world itinerary.............................................. Page 63 Iceland roadtrip tips - Our sweet adventures..................... Page 71 Christina & Adam 4 cupidtrails.com
10 best couple of july 2019 Editor’s Letter Dear Readers, Welcome to the first edition of Cupidtrails Coffee-table book. Cupidtrails was started with an objective to connect couples around the globe. We provide a platform to share experiences, blogs and itineraries. Our community has over 1000 couples from different parts of the world. They connect over emails, meet in different geographical locations and go on trips together. With this new initiative, we are featuring couples who love to write. Blogs have limited recall, so we thought why not create a coffee-table book itself? No matter how many e-magazines or blogs we read, the impact of a tangible paper book shall never fade away. We will be selecting top bloggers from cupidtrails community and shall feature them in our magazine with proper credits. Please give us feedback on our first edition, we will keep on improving the quality of our book with every edition. Happy traveling! Editor-in-Chief cupidtrails.com 5
2019 10 best couple of july Couples blog 10 Best couple of July 2019 Patricia & Ines & Madi & Miguel Helder Brody PAGE 8 PAGE 28 PAGE 33 Raquel & Sarah & Christina & Miguel Enrique Adam PAGE 46 PAGE 58 PAGE 71 6 cupidtrails.com
10 best couple of july 2019 C OUPLE F E A TU R ES Ashlinn & Jakob Genna & Odey PAGE 24 PAGE 42 Daniele & Alessia Marshal & Mary PAGE 55 PAGE 38 cupidtrails.com 7
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10 best couple of july 2019 Patricia & Miguel We are Patricia & Miguel, PATRICIA a Portuguese couple who Hi! My name is Patricia and my life changed when I stopped being quit their jobs to make real happy. Due to my job I was having several health and emotional connections with real people problems; nothing made sense to me anymore. So I quit. I gave up and find home on Earth. the idea that I would have to work in that dream job for the rest of my Patricia was born on a powerful life. I wanted to feel good again and sunset and Miguel during the I believed that I could heal myself. strong spring sun. The sun is So I did. I studied holistic health and part of our life, but it was under the alternative therapies - the chakras, moonlight that we fell in love. meridians, ayurveda medicine, reiki and yoga. Today I know that We met at college but then each one of us has a mission in this our lives took different paths. After world: to seek our happiness, all 3 years without saying a word to ways, always. each other, the universe decided to join us. MIGUEL It was a full moon summer Hello! I’m Miguel and music was my night and a really special music passion since my childhood, but as concert that changed our lives I grew up, people always told me forever. We moved from our country, to get a real job. So I studied, like left everything behind and went everyone else, I got a job, a house to work abroad, but around our and a car. And none of this was twenties, we quit our jobs, searching enough. I decided to quit this empty for a better purpose in life. We are life. And that was when I realized exploring our beautiful planet while that music is what keeps me moving sharing light & love with wonderful - the flow of the sea, the harmony of communities and amazing human the sun, the beating of the earth and beings. We love creating, exploring, the touch of the wind. I believe that and meeting new people. This is our journey to a life full of sunshine! cupidtrails.com 9
2019 10 best couple of july music carries all the feelings of life, you’ve done it, the universe will whispering its sounds by the ears of follow along and put you on the the world. I like to produce music for right track. the soul. There’s no such thing as a Embracing the real guide to success or happiness. But side of life one thing is true - you don’t need materialistic goods to feel satisfied Have you ever felt like you are - it might bring momentary joy, but drifting in this dull life of yours? it won’t last a life time. Once you That feeling when you have hopes realize that happiness is already and dreams but don’t know what inside of you, you will start living to do with them, so you just sit still, fully, and feel that beauty exists watching your emotions running everywhere. In the slow pace of the down your body, being the person ocean, the fresh breeze of the wind you don’t want to be? Well, it’s time and the warmness of the sun. to stop living the life society wants you to live! So, how do you know if it is working? You will feel that Haven’t you noticed that you are everything is in its place once you the only one in charge of your own start believing that your dreams path? It’s your body, your dreams, are possible. As Baden Powell once your thoughts and, more important, said, you can kick the prefix out of it is your life. the impossible word. Simply accept who you are, who you want to be We believe that we all have a and what you want to do. We are purpose. You may be here to live a here to leave a positive footprint simple life as a farmer, you may be in this big world, don’t let time run tailed for big achievements and help out, embrace it now! Book that trip others in need or you may be here you are wishing for ages, quit that to travel the world and engage with job that makes you stressed, tell new communities. No matter what that person you know you love and it is, you must do what you feel you spread happiness together - simply are destined for. The universe has live, fully, truly, happy. The universe a plan for each one of us, and there conspires in favor of those who is no other way to find out which is believe, so do yourself a favor and than follow your intuition. Take time believe. Great things are waiting for to do an introspection and analyse you on the other side of life, the real your feelings, pay attention to the one. Would you dare to believe? signs and you will know where the path leads you. All it takes is that first step towards your dreams! Once 10 cupidtrails.com
10 best couple of july 2019 The best sunsets of Europe When we first started our journey, we made a promise to the universe. A promise that no matter what, we’d always chase and live in the sunshine. Why? Because we feel that the sun is part of or being. Whenever it is shining, we smile and receive all its energy, and when it’s hidden behind the clouds, we keep hoping that it will shine the next day, because it will! One of the most exciting the last second. If you relate to this, moments in life is that one you probably know that feeling when the sun is fading on when the day is coming to an end, the horizon, irradiating positive and you try to find a peaceful place, energy, painting the skies with the with an astonishing view, drinking most warming tones and showing a bottle of wine or just having an that life is to be appreciated until intense connection with your loved cupidtrails.com 11
2019 10 best couple of july ones while waiting for that magical magical tones appearing in the sky. moment. Isn’t it amazing? Venice has one of the most beautiful sunsets due to the colours, bright We are true sunset lovers and and warm stunning orange tones one of the things we like the most is that create a magical atmosphere. to watch a different sunset in each On the beginning of Ponte delle country/city we visit, and we found Guglie turn right and walk until the diversity while experience different end of the street, sit down and enjoy sunsets in different places. Just the show. like people, every sunset is unique, and we want to share with you our ENCHANTED TRANSFORMATION 5 favourite sunsets in Europe (with IN BUDAPEST no specific order), showing how this beauty of nature can be so unique. The Hungarian capital it’s a wonderful fairy tale scenario, with ORANGE TONES IN VENICE mesmerizing buildings, big bridges and amazing alternative styles It’s known that everybody loves to go decorating the city. After you explore to Piazzale San Marco to watch the its wonders and as the golden sunset and see the skies turn orange hour it’s approaching, Citadella while admiring that wonderful and Géllert hill are the places to go. surrounding architectonic. But do While you walk to reach the top, you you know that you can experience will find several viewpoints, where something even more special than you can get the most breathtaking this? We found a beautiful hidden view over the city. What’s peculiar gem where the river canals meet the about the Budapest sunset it’s the sea and the sun fades through that enchanted transformation you can sky line touching the water. We sat presence when the sun fades and down on the platform, swinging our the city turns on the lights. You feet over the water and enjoyed its will feel amazed with the scenery, the bridges lightening up and the city illuminating the sky, what a beautiful moment! THE MOUNTAIN SCENERY OF SALZBURG Once you are in Salzburg, you don’t need to look further to get a spectacular view. The city is built in the middle of the mountains, so 12 cupidtrails.com
10 best couple of july 2019 you can feel that when the moment FLORENCE AND ITS comes, it’s going to be epic! We wanted to have a full view to the city BREATHTAKING VIEW and the surrounding landscape, so we walked along the river and sat From all the city sunsets, Florence down on the Mullnersteg bridge. is our favourite one so far. Why!? What we loved about this sunset Because it has the most amazing was the mountains background, a view, atmosphere and delightful spectacular nature landscape on orange and red tones! The most the horizon and the moody skies iconic place to see it is Piazzale completing the scenery. Michelangelo, a square with a panoramic view over the city. MYSTICISM IN BLED Everyone brings their bottle of wine and sits down on the stairway, We fell in love with the wonderful appreciating the sun going down. nature vibes in Lake Bled, since the The birds flying on the horizon, the sunrise until the sunset. Just picture traditional music being played on a this with us: a beautiful pool with classical guitar and violin and the a view to the mountains, that fresh warmest of the oranges painting and pure breeze evolving us, the the sky, set the perfect scene for a birds singing and that mystical vibe perfect sunset, where you will feel around, this was the perfect setting loved, blessed and truly alive. for an unforgettable sunset. We can say that this was such a special All these moments were proof moment due to the mysticism that the finals can be beautiful, of the combination between the powerful, and bring better days. So purple tones of the sunset and the when something is over, just smile landscape surrounding us. and get ready for what will come! cupidtrails.com 13
2019 10 best couple of july How to see Iceland in four days We wanted to start this year by saying goodbye to the lack of sun and the lonely cold days! So we decided to choose a country with landscapes full of snow to remind us that we can find sunshine anywhere. It’s the land of ice and fire, part of our bucket list since we’re young and so many other bucket lists all over the world - Iceland - our first stop for this year. Before booking our trip, we searched for the magical wonders worth to visit, and we realized that was almost everything, so we made up a budget and embraced the adventure. 14 cupidtrails.com
10 best couple of july 2019 Day 1: We arrived at Keflavik around, explore and photograph. On your way back to the center, airport and took a bus to our you will pass through the lake accommodation - Loft Hostel - the Tjornin, which during winter is best hostel in Reykjavik with an more like an ice rink! The lake was amazing atmosphere, the locals’ completely frozen, and we had such first choice for a long night of fun! a wonderful experience spending We checked in, left our things and the afternoon there, just walking, decided to explore the city. We playing and enjoying the view! On visited the Harpa Concert Hall, a the top of the city there’s the unique beautiful building that reminded Hallgrimskirkja church, its stunning us of the sea life because of its architecture, looking like an old shape and architecture. Next to it organ, will make you spend a few you can take a long walk by the minutes admiring it. coast. Made by rocks, close to the sea, with a wonderful view to the icy The moon starts to rise and mountains, this was our favourite it’s time to look for a place to have view in Reykjavik! You can admire dinner. We went to Prikid, a cosy the sunrise or sunset here, and just little old cafe where everything is from a short walking distance, you alternative! Here we found the best can find the famous sculpture Solfar vegan burgers we’ve ever tasted! The (sun voyager), an ode to the sun. atmosphere here is also fabulous, so After sunset, it’s time to recharge it’s the best place to get some energy energies and have some warm before hitting the road looking for food, so we chose the Hradelstin, the northern lights. Be mindful an Indian style restaurant with the that to be able to see the northern perfect spicy touch after a cold day. lights, the sky needs to be super They have a few vegetarian/vegan clear. We weren’t that lucky as it was options and also special deals on Vegan Wednesdays. We recommend the vegan Thali, a dish with the most tasty vegan options, it’s absolutely yummy! Day2: Time to head off to the north side of Reykjavink! Here you can fin the old harbour, with a beautiful sightseeing over the sea and the fishing boats, an amazing place full of colour and life, perfect walk cupidtrails.com 15
2019 10 best couple of july always snowing, but we believe that couldn’t be more satisfied with it. everything happens for a reason - With lots of vegan options, we fell in and the reason is that we will have love with the spinach lasagna and to go back to see the northern lights! the mediterranean basin. Also, every time you choose a vegan option, you Day3: One of most amazing day get 15% discount, so keep it green! trips to make in Iceland is the Day4: Saving the best for last, we Golden Circle. The first stop was Thingvellir National Park, and we enjoyed our last day relaxing at were there right when the sun was the magical Blue Lagoon. You can rising, so you can imagine the chose from one of the packages beauty of that moment! During the available and then just get ready winter everything is fully white, and enjoy the warm water. Despite the temperature outside, which is what makes it even more special. super cold, inside the water is like After the park, you’ll have the being inside of a volcano! This place chance to see the Geysir and the can become very crowded in some Gullfoss waterfall. We love waterfalls areas, but there is plenty of space to but we’ve never seen anything so take the best photographs or simply powerful like this one - the ice relax. After this amazing experience, makes it look like a movie scene! we went back to town for dinner. After 6 hours exploring the golden This time we chose the vibrant Kaffi circle, nothing better than a fancy Vinyl, with the best vegan vibes in vegan food, right? We found Gló at town. It’s a 100% vegan restaurant/ the corner of the main street and we bar! You can relax, travel around their beautiful music compilation, and enjoy the delicious food.. If you’re thinking going to Iceland during the winter time, be mindful that the temperatures are really low and always under 0°C. But with the right clothes andthat explorer spirit it can be the journey of your dreams. We also found that the best way to explore Iceland is by yourself, so rent a van or a car and explore as much as you can, you won’t regret it. Watch our video below for an explorer boost! 16 cupidtrails.com
10 best couple of july 2019 How to stay healthy while traveling Travel doesn’t always means healthy choices. Usually, people travel to immerse themselves in a world where good food, parties and drinks are the top priorities. When you travel, unexpected things happen, and you get out of your daily routines. You don’t have the gym to do your workout or those local markets where you buy your favourite healthy products. Most of the times, you don’t even have a kitchen to cook your own meals, so you start losing focus.. For some people, travelling is only a week full of new experiences, but for others it is a lifestyle and there is no such thing as structured routines. cupidtrails.com 17
2019 10 best couple of july W hen people ask us how where you can cook your meals, we keep our healthy and not only will be cheaper but you balanced lifestyle while will have that control over what you travelling, we have an easy and eat. Being vegan is the best way to simple answer: never forget who treat your body, as you are free from you are and what you love to do, animal fats and dairy products. By make the world your own home! choosing vegetable options, you So, how to do it? We’ve gathered are reducing not only the amount 4 essential areas where you can of fat you consume, but also your focus to keep that healthy balance ecological footprint. anywhere in the world! PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FOOD Travelling is synonym of time to Breakfast is said to be the most relax, but don’t spend all your time important meal of the day so don’t at the hotel pool drinking cocktails! ruin it with bad choices like those There is so many things to see in delicious cakes on the buffet of every part of this world and is core your hotel or the beautiful selection to keep your body active. Make more of pastry. To break the fast choose conscious choices like taking walks a convenient healthy snack, a while sightseeing, go for a morning combination between cereals, fruit jog (it’s also a good way to get to and fresh juices! During the day know a place), hike the mountains try to avoid big meals with several wherever you see them, go for a courses and make sure that you swim in the lake/and choose public keep that greens on your plate. transportation as much as possible - Whenever possible, stay at a hostel it is better for the environment and it will make you active, like those moments when you had to run to catch the last bus! MIND, BODY & SOUL Staying healthy is not only about food! People often forget that our mind controls our body and the way it responds to stimuli, so the healthier your mind is, the best your body will function. It is so easy to get stress out while travelling: tight schedules, that flight to catch, where 18 cupidtrails.com
10 best couple of july 2019 are you going to eat, the summer think to stop? No, you keep going heat on those warm countries and go out for dinner, stay up till and multiple other aspects that late for a party and you repeat will bomb your brain and blur it. this process many days in a row. Practicing mindfulness is a good Our body needs to rest, and those way to keep your mind sharp and 7/8 hours of sleep are gold! Learn focus, enjoying every single moment to listen to your body and pay with the attention it deserves and attention to the signs - your body taking that moment to stop! We also can tell you with 100% accuracy love to start the day with a yoga when you should take a moment session and a grateful meditation, to pause and re-energize, so you where we set the tone for the day, can keep your journey with all that so the energy can flow through your energy and enthusiasm like you body and inject positive thoughts had on the first day! into your mind. When you travel, you should SLEEP never forget your lifestyle. It’s actually quite the opposite - put Long days exploring a city or a big everything you are on what you do hike through the mountains can - anywhere and everywhere in this be very exhaustive, but do you ever world! cupidtrails.com 19
2019 10 best couple of july How to become a mindful traveler Traveling is the answer to all problems. You, like most people do, may use travel as an escape, a refuge for your steady pace life, your routines, the 9-5 job that occupies your whole life. Does that bring you real happiness, or is it just camouflage? You save money after working for months, you seek a journey somewhere in the world to forget your own problems or just to catch some sun and get a big rest after you go back to work again. 20 cupidtrails.com
10 best couple of july 2019 But if we tell you that you can and yourself. That is why setting get more from your travels intentions will help you keep than you expect, would you balanced and bring calmness, embrace the challenge? We always as your mind will remember the seek to make real connections reasons you’re traveling for. with real people, immerse in their culture and absorb as many as we MEDITATE can from those experiences…isn’t this what travel is all about?! Travel Travelers pass through storms that to connect, and not forget! Being others don’t. We are far from those full time travelers is giving us the we love, we are constantly getting knowledge and experience to be out of our comfort zones and aware of what’s really happening in making friends with people we may the world, to know ourselves better, never see again. Travelling can be to be mindful. stressful, and that is why we must bring clarity to the mind and peace Being a mindful traveler will in our hearts with mindfulness allow you to deep experience and meditation. You don’t need to the whole sense of your journey, be a Buddhist monk or a spiritual collect real moments, balance your yogi to do it. Meditation helps you body, mind and soul. You are not keep in one with yourself, others just escaping from your routines, and the world. It will bring you you are engaging in real time awareness, be more present during experiences and that is the true your journey, understand facts and gift of a journey. So how can you feelings, and slow down. Just find a become a mindful traveler? quite spot, sit down, relax, breathe deeply and let your mind guide SET AN INTENTION you. Or, you can also do it while exploring, just focus on your steps Relaxing at the beach, seeking an and observe everything around you. adventurous journey through the mountains or getting some cultural KEEP AN OPEN MIND exchange. No matter what you (EMBRACE EVERYTHING) want, you must set an intention for your travels. Having an intention It is so easy to criticize things when will keep you focus throughout the something is off track, when reality experience, specially when times doesn’t match your expectations. get hard and you have a negative Keep this in your mind: as much encounter on the way. You might as you plan, your trip will always step back and get lost on track, but have twists and turns. Face it! It’s that’s how you find your purpose, not something to complain about. cupidtrails.com 21
2019 10 best couple of july Learn to accept each and every what you have and the experiences moment as it is, keep an open you face while travelling, never mind and embrace everything! The forgetting to be compassionate. true beauty of travelling is to deal Practicing compassion is a huge with the unexpected, to experience deal, for you and for everyone in the the unknown and to take some world. Your kind behavior will not life lessons out of it. Everything only affect others, but yourself. Give happens for a reason, so don’t hold all your heart, unconditionally! this river with rocks, let it flow so the current stays strong. DISCONNECT TO CONNECT As much as we all love technology and want to document every single moment of our travels, we are preventing ourselves from true and meaningful connections. Take time to disconnect from your mobile phone, internet or laptop. Find time to connect with people, to have real talks with deep meanings. We are social creatures, so let’s feed this animal inside of us with meaningful and positive relationships with other fellow travelers or locals. Wherever you are, connections without a phone are always possible! PRACTICE GRATITUDE IMMERSE IN CULTURE AND COMPASSION To travel is to expand your knowledge and visions. There is Travelling is not always perfect. no better way to fully experience You will be presented with bad your journey than connecting with experiences as well, but the way you the local communities. Try to learn perceive them it’s a game changer. the language, get to know their Be thankful, not only with the costumes, try their food, partake in amazing times you had but also for some social and cultural events or the negative experiences in your even volunteer experiences. Keep trip. Just take a second to think this your heart and mind open to all through: you are in a position where types and forms of culture. You may so many people would love to be. find a way of living that will bring So, find the time to be grateful for 22 cupidtrails.com
10 best couple of july 2019 you the joy you need. You have a embrace it and make it last forever. lot to learn with the locals and they Enjoy every little moment, every love to share their lifestyles! So take little thing, every little memory that advantage of that. will stay with you forever. SLOW DOWN NO MATTER WHAT, One of the things that you don’t STAY POSITIVE! realize, is that you are constantly on a rush! Waking up early to catch Now it’s that time when you listen to the best sunrise at the best spot that song in your head ‘’Don’t worry, to photograph, run till the next be happy’’ and start whistling it all destination, stop to eat something around. Yes! Sing it out loud, spread quick so you don’t ‘’waste’’ any positivity wherever you go and deal time and get the most out of your with everything with a smile. Not a travels. Well, let us tell you that you shy one! A big and true one! We are might think you are gaining time by talking about the most wonderful, rushing it, but the sad reality is that joyful and contagious smile you you are losing more than you think. have. It will work like a chain Go to one place and really absorb it, reaction effect and you will see great feel all the vibes around and try not things happening when you start it. to focus on the future that doesn’t Remember, positive minds attract exist. The present is all we’ve got, so positive vibes. cupidtrails.com 23
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10 best couple of july 2019 Ashlinn & Jakob They have been inseparable since the day they have met. Their favorite dates have always been travel tours together. They are looking for vans which can be converted into mobile homes and then travel across United States. cupidtrails.com 25
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10 best couple of july 2019 Together with a map Ines & Helder Here we’ll let you know a bit of our story.Our names are Helder and Inês, and we both were born in Portugal but in different cities. Helder was born in Viana do Castelo, 1984 and Inês in Lisbon, 1991. By the way if you don’t know Portugal or these cities you should go as soon as possible, because they are beautiful destinations! We both grew up with our already making the first trip together, families until we went to as a couple, to Iceland. From there university. We spent many almost every month we made a trip years of our lives where we didn’t or a “little escape”, keeping every cross with each other, having our moment through our camera or own experiences, adventures and our cell phone, and of course more travels. Until the year 2015 arrives important in our memory and heart. and things become different. In that year, due to professional reasons, At the same time, we visited both of us had to leave our country, many blogs and Instagram pages looking for better conditions of with tips, reports and photos of the work. Force of destiny or not, we places we planned to go. Also a few came to the same city and to the of those pages and profiles were same hospital. Yes, we are nurses we presented like couple pages, and almost forgot to say. The friendship honestly we thought “why don’t we and complicity became strong from do one as well?” So in April 27th the beginning, and the interests in 2018 we decided to create together common were many, including of a profile in Instagram to show and course the taste for travel! It didn’t share all the places where we had take long for us to realize that there already been so far. The idea of were feelings beyond friendship, so creating a blog / website came soon in December 2016 we started the true after. So we hope you enjoy seeing story between us. and reading our adventures, and maybe give you some ideas for Not a month later, we were future trips. cupidtrails.com 29
2019 10 best couple of july Marrakech Honestly, the idea of visiting Marrakech came after we saw a big promotion at “Holiday Pirates”. It was very spontaneous because we had just returned from Portugal and two days later we were planning this trip. 30 cupidtrails.com
10 best couple of july 2019 Initially the plan was to rent a more. You could spend the whole car and visit other cities around day in there, if you have enough Marrakech, within a radius of time. It really is a must see. approximately 150 km. However, there were some problems that led The city itself is not very big, and us to give up the idea. 3 or 4 days is enough to visit it with time, calm and good mood. The city and the Souks Other places you can’t loose We thought the town absolutely wonderful. We loved every detail. Koutoubia Mosque The architecture of the mosques Place Jemaa El-Fna and palaces, the traditional robes, Medersa Ben Youssef the markets, the delicious smell El Badi palace from the spices at every corner, the Saadian tombs dominant colors of red and brown Menara Gardens from the buildings, the famous mint Majorele Gardens (we couldn’t tea, those hundreds cats that walk visit this one, but everyone says it through the city and make part of does worth) it … everything around us made us Moulay El yazid Mosque or El breathe joy. We felt a good inner Kasbah Mosque balance, because despite being a What we didn’t like much city full of people always in great Hotel far from the city (we going bustle, we managed to feel a great to tell you more about this later in peace of mind. this reading) Constant approach by the locals What we did like the most was to in the medina be inside the markets. Located in the Sometimes the locals try to cheat Medina (old town), the “Souks” are a you with simple things like asking world full of good things. Here our 5 for directions senses grow in their splendor, and we just have to let us go by those Delicious food labyrinth corridors. Products are essentially handmade, and haggling Although we don’t have any is mandatory. The Souks are kind particular restaurant to write of organized by type of product to about, we want to emphasize the sell and even have names, we can authenticity of the typical Moroccan find a little bit of everything from food with her exotic flavors and babouches (traditional shoes), bags, smells. carpets, wools, musical instruments, animal skins, clothes and much The delicious Tagines (the name comes from the clay pot where it cupidtrails.com 31
2019 10 best couple of july is cooked), for example, are dishes shuttle provided by the hotel that that can be meat, fish or vegetables left us in the center of Marrakesh steamed where the food is extremely and picked us back. This service tender and full of flavor. Cuscus was quite expensive, we paid about is quite typical as a side dish, 9 pounds round trip per person. replacing rice and potatoes. Very Most of the time, the taxi was always good too. Don’t miss the wonderful with 5 or 6 guests, and costs still Harira (Moroccan soup) and Pastilla, remained the same. In our opinion a puff pastry filled with vegetables that was quite wrong. or meat, with a bittersweet touch. And of course, all this foods are But anyway, the hotel’s always super well-seasoned with architecture resembles a castle their fabulous spices. Can you smell in a true Moroccan style. In the already this delicious perfume? middle of nowhere, we only had the mountains as scenery. It was Sleeping Bed really beautiful. In the morning, if you wake up early you will see a We stayed at the Kasbah Igoudar beautiful sunrise. It was far from the Boutique Hotel which is located city, it’s true, but maybe that’s why it outside the city a half hour drive was so good to relax from the hustle away, so we always had to use the and bustle of the city. 32 cupidtrails.com
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2019 10 best couple of july Why Penang Should Be Your Next Holiday Destination? Tinkerbells travel Madi & Brody 34 cupidtrails.com
10 best couple of july 2019 When we first decided that we wanted to travel through Malaysia from Singapore, we didn’t really have any idea where we should go. So we jumped on Skyscanner (our new best friend) to look for some cheap flights out. Penang popped up with flights starting at roughly $40Aud from Singapore and we were sold! Madi had previously visited the small island (although it was almost 17 years ago so she could hardly remember it) and Brody had never been there. It sounded perfect! We booked the tickets and the decision was final. We hadn’t done a whole lot you meet has a friendly nature and of research prior to booking if you ask for advice you will most the flights, we are seeking often receive your answer with a adventures after all! We looked up smile. a few tourist attractions a few days prior to flying out to the island to With a community built of have a basic idea of what to do but varying cultures means there is we generally run on a day-to-day never a shortage of food options! plan (meaning we make our plans Feel like eating Chinese one night almost the night before!). However, and Indian the next? Want to go what we found seemed pretty fun more traditional and eat at the and we were all up for experiencing nightly food stalls? Or maybe you the local culture. don’t want to stray too far from the comforts of western food? Penang And there is so much local culture! Penang is predominantly made up of three major culture, Malay, Chinese and Indian, which provides a whole lot of diversity for the visiting tourist. You would think for a place with so many different cultures that there would be a huge rift in difference but it is quite the contrary. Instead of secluded communities, you often find different places of worship right next door to each other! Everyone cupidtrails.com 35
2019 10 best couple of july has is all, and generally all on the religious places of worship that can one street! If you are staying in the be visited and explored without centre of Georgetown, Penangs’ an entry fee. Places like the snake capital city, there will never be a temple and Kek Lok Si Buddhist far walk to find food. And the best Temple don’t charge an entrance fee thing? It doesn’t really matter where and are mostly free to explore. Just you eat, I can guarantee that the keep in mind that they may charge food is much cheaper than back an entrance fee to certain parts of home! Especially if you go local! the temple (they need to pay for the care of the temple somehow). Most Still wanting to save some of these prices aren’t exorbitant money but you want to see more of though and will be less than $5Aud what the island has to offer besides an amazing array of food selections? Penang is also dotted with Then you don’t have to go very far! many religious places of worship Georgetown is covered in street art, that can be visited and explored which you can find almost down every single street. Some pieces have become famous over the years, like the bicycle with two children sitting on it, but there are other pieces that are super cool you can find just by exploring a little off the beaten path. We spent most of a day just walking and looking down some side alleys to find some pieces. Penang is also dotted with many religious places of worship that can be visited and explored without an entry fee. Places like the snake temple and Kek Lok Si Buddhist Temple don’t charge an entrance fee and are mostly free to explore. Just keep in mind that they may charge an entrance fee to certain parts of the temple (they need to pay for the care of the temple somehow). Most of these prices aren’t exorbitant though and will be less than $5Aud Penang is also dotted with many 36 cupidtrails.com
10 best couple of july 2019 without an entry fee. Places like food they will have! These are a fun the snake temple and Kek Lok Si way to spend the night, even just to Buddhist Temple don’t charge an walk through and witness how the entrance fee and are mostly free locals interact with each other. to explore. Just keep in mind that they may charge an entrance fee Happy to pay a little more to to certain parts of the temple (they experience other attractions? We need to pay for the care of the encourage everyone to visit Entopia temple somehow). Most of these Butterfly Park and witness the prices aren’t exorbitant though and releasing of the newly emerged will be less than $5Aud butterflies, which you can be a part of! The butterflies have free range There are night markets dotted here and if you stay still, you may throughout the island which are be able to have a few land on you! free to visit, although you may end Not only will you learn everything up paying for some of the amazing you need to know about butterflies, but they also house some other animals, such as spiders, snakes, lizards and a huge variety of other insects. If you have kids it’s a great way to educate them on the environmental advantages of these creatures, and if you don’t, you may still learn something that you didn’t know before. Penang is an amazing location with a lot of cultural and historical significance. You can see this through the amazing architecture that ranges back to the days of the colonization of the British. If you want a holiday full of activities, natural beauty, history and free activities then skip Bali or the Philippines and come here! And if we haven’t been able to sell you on this blog post alone then head over to our Instagram page and check out what we got up to in more detail! cupidtrails.com 37
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10 best couple of july 2019 Marshal & Mary They met randomly in the second largest carnival in the world. Since then they have lived incredible experiences together and share the love for travel has made them the crazy pair they are. cupidtrails.com 39
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10 best couple of july 2019 Genna and Odey A Canadian pair of vegans yogis on a journey in search of unique experiences through food and travel. Jenna spent a year traveling the globe as a chef and finally found oday after making an impulsive yet fantastic decision of enrolling in university to study food science. And then there he was, waiting in the chemistry lab. People always the joke about us and how we met in “must have been chemistry” which couldn’t be TRUER. Since then we have taken it upon ourselves to travel as much as we can while sustaining our love of developing new foods and learning cupidtrails.com 43
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10 best couple of july 2019 Explorers saurus Miguel & Raquel We’re a young Portuguese couple with a passion for travelling, photography and film making. Currently living on a long distance relationship (yeah, it sucks!) but trying to get the best out of it. Since love is not on a map, we’ve decided to meet each other every while and then in different countries. While Miguel is working a full-time job as a manager and Raquel is finishing her masters in biomedical engineering, we’ll be conquering and discovering the world one short trip at a time. We’re tired of having untold the yet unspoiled island and, by our stories so if it’s possible experience, the most beautiful one. to share our adventures Without any doubt, Nusa Penida with you why the hell not? We has become the highlight of our are collecting amazing memories holidays in Bali. and epic experiences, capturing and sharing them as we go along. Island vibes We hope to let our photos do the talking more than us, inspiring There are no luxury resorts here, and motivating those who crave so be ready to experience the true pursuing the life of their dreams. We island life (even if this means you truly believe that couples who travel will wake up in the middle of the together stay together, so come and night with a mouse sharing the bed explore with us! with you. First threesome in our lives and we completely understand Nusa Penida – why they say two is better than A Hidden Paradise three!). Anyway, you can also come across hundreds of ants on top Just around forty minutes boat of your favorite bikini… But if you ride from the port of Sanur you can are travelling with a brave man escape to one of the least touristy, (or anyone else who is less sissy cupidtrails.com 47
2019 10 best couple of july than me) this is not going to be a always under construction problem! Plus you will be collecting plenty of fun stories to tell your kids Renting a motorbike is a most in one day later. this island. You will save time and money, moreover you will be able A short but an to see much more places. Although, awesome visit be aware that the road can be very rough, challenging and in some While most people go on a day cases none-existing. The best thing trip, we wanted to make the most to do is select maximum four places of it and take our time exploring to go per day. Also ensure you the untouched coastline of Nusa choose them in the same area of the Penida. Saying that, we recommend island since driving there can take you to stay at least two to three days some time. in this remote paradise. Seems like almost everyone who The road to success is explores this island gets lost at least once. We had been cursed as well, 48 cupidtrails.com
10 best couple of july 2019 but it’s also part of the adventure! Cristal Bay We advise downloading an offline Google Maps and saving previously We start our journey at Cristal Bay. your destinations so you can be A stunning white sand beach, with sure you’re heading in the right clear waters and a great place for direction. having a picnic beneath the palm trees. A truly idyllic spot you’re likely What to do and see to have it just for yourself. So now take a sit and prepared to Kelingling Beach be amazed by the pristine temples, small villages, breath-taking cliffs Then we went to one of those places formations and lagoons and tons of that is hard to believe it’s real when happy kids who will compete with you see it for the first time, of course their friends to see who will give we are talking about Kelingking you the strongest “high five” as your Beach. I think as we got to the cliff motorcycle past… our reaction was like HOLY F*CK! It’s just a photographer delight and an cupidtrails.com 49
2019 10 best couple of july awesome “instagramable” spot that ourselves but the waves were thankfully is still not discovered by insanely huge and powerful. mass tourism. Broken Beach and Admiring the view from the Angels Billabong top and taking endless pictures is already a fantastic experience: Forty-five minutes far from this astonishing white sand contrasting place you will find Broken Beach. It with the turquoise blue waters was once a large cave that collapse and the green piece of land with to reveal the blue Indian Ocean a dinosaur shape. But going down beneath and it also has stunning the beach it’s just… just the best views from the cliff top. However decision we could have taken. to get to here is a pain in the ass And for sure will make you (literally), get ready for a bumpy ride understand why is not busy at all that will leave you sore for a couple down there. of days! In first place, you can’t be Nearby you can dip in and afraid of heights. But Miguel is. enjoy the clearest water you’ve ever In second place, you can’t be lazy swum in. The magnificent natural since it’s physically demanding. But I am. Together we were a couple of cheerleaders encouraging the other to conquer any obstacle. The track is extremely steep, strenuous and slippery, besides you have to think twice when you’re planning your trip because the hike will take you at least half an hour to reach the beach. We were super tired and just wanted to dive and refresh 50 cupidtrails.com
10 best couple of july 2019 arrived there, the views from the hike are way more impressive and made as create false expectations about our final destination. swimming pool- Angels Billabong. Teletubbies Hills Saren Cliff Point If you want to explore the interior of the island you should stop at the Another gorgeous place that got our Teletubbies Hills. Yup, they look like attention was Saren Cliff Point. One those of the children’s cartoon and of the most romantic places to see you can trek up into the hills and in Nusa Penida and where you can have a privilege view of the emerald enjoy a relaxed swing ride. green terraces. Peguyangan Waterfall Atuh Beach The Peguyangan Waterfall was on If you plan to go to the south-eastern our way so we thought we should coast of the island and you’re up for drop in for a look. If you’re not a bit more of exercise, climb down acrophobic, we challenge you to the steps that will lead you to Atuh go down 150-meter iron blue stairs Beach. This beach is surrounded by that will lead you to a temple and remarkable rock formations and an a small waterfall. Actually we were arch sits directly from the shore, the a little bit disappointed when we view just speaks for itself! The island is quickly getting popular among travelers and no wonder with so countless amazing places with such natural beauty that just make us feel lucky to be able to witness so many earth’s creations. cupidtrails.com 51
2019 10 best couple of July Ubud: Everything You Need to Know If you’re lucky enough to be heading to Ubud soon, you already won to lottery. There is something unique about this place that combines peace and serenity with activity and adventure. From walking through the lush rice fields, getting a massage, shopping, admiring beautiful landscapes, taking a cooking lesson or going on a rafting trip, there are plenty of things to do and see! Where to stay? the main attractions can be covered on foot. However, you will still need If you’re coming for a short time some form of transport to explore visit, it’s probably better to stay at the surroundings. Central Ubud area, since most of 52 cupidtrails.com
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