Flying Standbys Blog on RealTravel

The Bahamas journal: Bahamas

Wed, 05 Jul 2006 12:45:36 GMT

comin soon

Banff journal: Tex-Mex at it's best.

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 09:58:50 GMT

Banff journal: Majestic and exciting

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 09:52:28 GMT

I arrived in Calgary on an early monday afternoon and grabbed a shuttle from the airport to Banff. The trip required about 2 hours as we caught a little traffic and although I fell asleep a few times, the deeper we got into the exhilarating mountains, the less tired I became.

The shuttle dropped me off at the Samesun Hostel (see review) and I was amazed at how great this place is. I packed my skis in the free locker area and made my way to my room. The room had a total of six beds, but I found only two of them occupied by napping people, so I quietly put my things away and took a nap ...

Canada journal: BANFF

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 09:52:27 GMT

During the last week of february 2006, I spent an amazing week skiing in the Rockies and visiting Banff national park. I went alone as Aisha did not have any vacation time and although I missed her very much, I did have a great time and get some excellent snow.

Enjoy!

Banff journal: Good food and quality beer at affordable prices.

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 07:56:03 GMT

Banff journal: Clean, efficient, with a decent location

Sun, 25 Jun 2006 21:37:20 GMT

The Samesun was once a roadside lodge that has now been converted into a Hostel. It belongs to the chain of hostels of the same name found throughout the Rockies. Its location in Banff is about 15 minutes walking from all the action of bars, restaurants and shops, but all the ski shuttles stop right next door to it giving it a definite positive.

The rooms are huge and easily accomodate three bunk beds for a total of 6 guests. They are also very clean and have private bathrooms/toilets in each room.

The amenities are incredible: a full self-serve kitchen, a TV room with sofas and ...

Mykonos journal: Mykonos

Sat, 24 Jun 2006 23:07:15 GMT

Mykonos was probably our favorite of the islands we visited, because while glamorous and entertaining, it manages to stay true to its traditional cycladic roots. Mykonos is the most cosmopolitan of the cycladic islands, with its nightlife, entertainment and plenty of beaches to suit every taste. We arrived in the port of Mykonos 50 minutes after our fast boat departed from Naxos. Our hotel had sent a driver to pick us up from the port, and while admiring the beautiful state of the white-washed town, he told us that "walking through the streets is a fashion show". Our first afternoon in ...

Athens journal: Athens

Sat, 24 Jun 2006 22:27:48 GMT

We arrived in Athens in the late afternoon after making some tight connections in London and Frankfurt. As we were traveling standby and didn't know which day we would be arriving, we didn't book a hotel in advance in Athens. When we arrived, we grabbed a hotel listing from the tourism bureau at the airport and a phone card and started making calls. The man at the tourist bureau had a laugh at our expense when he told us we arrived in the middle of Eurovision 2006, the biggest song contest in the world, and he warned us everything would be full. You can imagine how relieved we were to find ...

Greece journal: GREECE

Sat, 24 Jun 2006 22:01:22 GMT

In May 2006, we traveled to Greece, one of the best months to visit this must-see destination. We were thrilled with our two-week vacation of wonderful weather, delicious mediterranean food, beautiful beaches and views, famous cycladic architecture and mind-boggling history. In two weeks, it is impossible to see all of Greece, so we decided to focus on a specific region, and we chose one of the more popular itineraries in Greek tourism. Many people opt for an organized tour or a cruise to see what we did, but we found it quite easy and also fun to spend a couple months researching and ...

Athens journal: Stylish but expensive hotel

Sat, 24 Jun 2006 21:57:03 GMT

Santorini journal: Santorini

Sat, 24 Jun 2006 21:55:55 GMT

On an overnight ferry from Athens, scheduled to arrive in Santorini at 8 am, we woke up in time to make our way onto the deck and see the ship approach the island. The view was surreal and breathtaking and the island was covered in a misty haze, slightly shrouded in mystery. This island formed by the explosion of it's volcano in 1500 B.C., is believed by some to be the site where the advanced civilization of "Atlantis" once stood. The explosion of Santorini was the biggest explosion ever witnessed by human beings, 36 km in height, sending debris throughout Turkey and the eastern Mediterranean ...

Santorini journal: Tasty tomato keftedes and seafood spaghetti

Sat, 24 Jun 2006 18:11:27 GMT

Mykonos journal: Mystifying remains of an ancient civilization

Sat, 24 Jun 2006 15:45:12 GMT

Delos was once the religious and cultural center of the Cyclades, as it was considered the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. In fact the Cyclades takes its name because the other islands form a circle (cyklos in Greek) around Delos. In Roman times it became the most important trade center in the Mediteranean. At it's greatest point 30,000 people lived on this tiny island (5km X 1km). To keep the sanctity of this island, a law was passed that no one could be born or buried on the island of Delos, this way no one could lay claim to any proprerty on this sacred island. With its importance Delos ...

Mykonos journal: Decent value for a hearty meal

Sat, 24 Jun 2006 14:49:39 GMT

Santorini journal: Stunning black sand beach

Sat, 24 Jun 2006 14:39:30 GMT

Naxos journal: Naxos

Sat, 24 Jun 2006 14:24:48 GMT

We left Santorini with heavy hearts, not knowing what to expect in Naxos. After a 3 hour ferry ride we arrived in Naxos to the sight of the Portara and the venetian castle atop the town, and grabbed the transfer to our hotel, the Grotta, located just up the small hill.

The hotel was wonderful: beautiful, clean, right on a small seaside cliff, with views of the Portara and owned by two of the nicest people you'll ever meet. And to top it all off, the Grotta is located 5 minutes walking distance from the center of town, with its pedestrian walkways, restaurants, bus depot, port and ...

Naxos journal: Good food, but bad price/portion ratio

Sat, 24 Jun 2006 11:33:22 GMT

Athens journal: The hot hike up is well worth the emotional experience

Fri, 23 Jun 2006 12:14:28 GMT