Europe
Photo Essay from around Costa Brava
There is more delicious food and stunning scenery in Costa Brava than you can shake a Pimientos de Padrón at. We present a photo essay of Costa Brava.
We love to capture our travel adventures in words. We like to put you in the moment with us as we tear around the Tuscan countryside on our scooter. Or we want you to live vicariously through us as we face our own fears when we are deep underground caving in Budapest.
However, sometimes it is just easier to paint a picture in your head with photos rather than words…
Costa Brava in Photos
If you want a place to base yourself in Costa Brava, then start in Girona. Colourful houses, cute bridges criss-cross the winding river, and enough scrumptious food to keep any foodie in heaven. Or a food coma.
Apparently 1 in 10 of these delicious salty Pimientos de Padrón (tiny green peppers an inch or two long) are a hiding a secret spiciness waiting to unleash on the unsuspecting pinxtos eater. Luckily, even though I ate a tonne, I never hit a spicy one.
When we were not eating, we were on a cycling tour along endless tracks with not a soul in sight.
And being shown incredible secret spots like this secluded waterfall by our local cycling guides. I just wish I had my swimming togs.
Costa Brava runs along the northeast coastline of Spain, so there are empty stretches of beaches like this one near the town of Palamos just waiting to be explored. Wouldn’t be a bad place to live and launch your rowing boat through your castle wall.
Sant Feliu de Guíxols Monastery.
One of just the many gorgeous sunsets we watched to finish off our incredible days during our biking adventures.
I personally couldn’t think of a better view in Costa Brava.
Disclaimer: Cole was a guest of the Costa Brava tourism board for 3 days. And although I can’t claim that I made the Spanish food and countryside look even more beautiful, my opinions and my photos are always my own.
Europe
Amsterdam Food Guide
If you think of Amsterdam you don’t think of food. However if you try the food here in our Amsterdam food guide you might get lucky.
We are total foodies and our travelling has allowed our passion for food to grow considerably (not to mention our waist lines)! We love trying new food when we visit foreign countries and always make a huge effort to eat the local cuisine. Check out some of the food we ate below in our cheap and delicious Amsterdam Food Guide.
We had heard from a number of people that the Amsterdam food was nothing to rave about. To be honest food was not really our main interest in visiting but then again neither was an Amsterdam Peep show and we ended up enjoying that!
However we were pleasantly surprised. I think the people whom we had talked to had it wrong. Sure Holland doesn’t really have a local cuisine but once we got over this fact we realised there is still some damn good food to be had from the various Amsterdam Restaurants.
The best meal we had was actually next door to the Red Light district in Chinatown. Crossing the canal to the east away from the neon lights your nostrils are attacked and your mouth begins salivating from the delicious smells wafting along the narrow cobbled streets.
As we walked into Bird Thai restaurant the enticing aroma hit us instantly leaving us drooling in anticipation. It was definitely up there with some of the best Thai food we have had. We went for the classic Green curry, fried rice and duck combo.
The Green curry was so flavoursome with the richness of the coconut milk blending perfectly with the traditional spices. The duck was cooked to perfection and for the first few minutes of the meal all you could hear was the crunching of the crispy outside layer as we devoured the duck in minutes. Needless to say the fried rice was a taste explosion too!
Cheap and delicious Amsterdam food is easy to come by. With hangovers and munchies affecting your hunger it is no surprise that there are an abundance of Fast Food chains and takeaways in Amsterdam. In fact it was actually more the way that the fast food was served that surprised us as you could buy it out of massive vending machines at Febo!
Hidden workers stand behind the vending machines churning out burgers, fries and sausage rolls so all you has to do is insert a Euro and “hey presto” you have a hot meal in your hungry hands.
Then there were the frites stores which seemed to be on every corner. The first thing you noticed about these was the tantalising smell. There is nothing like the smell of chips straight out of the fryer and covered in salt to get you tummy rumbling. Served in a triangle cardboard carton and covered in mayo which meant that that you couldn’t reach the chips at the bottom without covering your greedy fingers in sauce. Just a tad annoying!
But there is nothing like hot chips to warm you up on a cold day.
Finally, while hot chocolates are not typically food I feel they still deserve a mention especially because the usually come paired with waffles! Ahhhh the perfect breakfast.
We loved nipping into a cafe or bar like Cafe Bar Eddy in Amsterdam to warm ourselves up with a hot chocolate. It literally tasted like they had melted chocolate down and added cream. Heaven in a cup. And the choice of waffles was daunting as you could have whatever you wanted. Fruit, chocolate, syrups, cream or all of the above!
If you are heading here then don’t expect to find an array of traditional Amsterdam food. Instead treat yourself to a hot chocolate and waffle for breakfast, grab a quick bite from a vending machine and sample some of the different cuisines found near the Red Light District.
If you stick to this Amsterdam food guide then your taste buds will have a great holiday too!
If you have visited before then what did you think of Amsterdam food?
Europe
How to smoke weed in Amsterdam
Check out our guide for the first timer in Amsterdam visiting a coffeeshop.
Before getting started I just want to clarify that we are not drug users. We don’t condone using illegal drugs. And we are not telling you to go and smoke weed in Amsterdam. BUT, our goal of this travel blog is to help advise, educate and provide travel tips for ALL situations. So if you are headed to Amsterdam then we hope our guide to smoking weed in Amsterdam will help you out.
And check out this smoker friendly accommodation for your next trip.
When you tell people that you are visiting Amsterdam then they immediately think of one thing and one thing only. Weed. Dope. Herb. Buds. Spliff. Whacky Tobbacky. Pot. Marijuana. Cannabis.
Call it what you will but just know that the biggest name for it is “ILLEGAL”.
Yes it is actually illegal to smoke weed in Amsterdam. But for now the Netherlands government do tolerate smoking in designated “coffeeshops”. This is slowly changing as the Government tries to moderate the tourism drug trade and in 2013 there will be new laws which we won’t go in to now as they are continuously changing.
In the meantime if you obey the rules, are not a moron and use our guide to smoking weed in Amsterdam then you are going to be fine.
How to smoke weed in Amsterdam
Don’t smoke weed in Amsterdam in public such as on the streets. There are over 300 designated coffee shops where you are tolerated to smoke weed. These places are regulated and everything is done in the open.
Don’t get confused and try to smoke in a koffiehuis (coffee house) which sells coffee and light meals or a café that is a casual restaurant and/or bar.
The coffeeshops are super easy to spot with marijuana leaves in the windows and Bob Marley paintings on the doors. Not to mention the smell wafting through the cold breeze. There will also be the usual tourists that have stupidly over-indulged and are glassy eyed.
We visited one of the five Bulldog coffeeshops when we were in Amsterdam and had no complaints. We even enjoyed a delicious hot chocolate while we were there!
Buying weed in Amsterdam
As long as you are over 18 then you will be allowed to buy up to 5 grams of weed in the regulated coffeeshops. Plus you have the added security knowing that your marijuana is not going to be laced with anything else if you are attempting to buy it off someone on the street. And who knows, they might be setting you up to get busted.
We were (and are) total amateurs and had no idea what to do once we actually stepped foot in the coffeeshop. But quickly sussed it out. There will generally be a “dealer bar” with full menu’s and everything for you to choose. So if you are an expert you will probably know what to order! Prices will of course vary by quantity (grams, bags, individual joints) and quality.
For a beginner ask lots of questions. Don’t be shy like we were. Ask the staff what they recommend and what effects each type has. They will know then that you are a newbie and will guide you. Just know that they are very accustomed to tourists who don’t know exactly how to go about the whole process.
What we found out is that it is actually perfectly fine for you to visit other coffeeshops and smoke weed that you have already purchased somewhere else. However, it is considered rude not to at least buy a hot chocolate or coffee if you do this. Coffeeshops do also have some of the best coffee in Amsterdam.
Don’t be an idiot
Number 1 rule: Don’t smoke too much weed in Amsterdam! Even if you are a pot loving hippie from a commune you are probably going to find the marijuana really strong in Amsterdam. Just take it slow.
If you are enjoying a drink as well then again take it easy with the booze. All the coffeshops won’t sell you beer as well as cannabis.
EAT! Don’t go drinking and smoking on an empty stomach as cannabis lowers your blood sugar level and this can turn a fun day into a disaster if you haven’t eaten recently. Check out our Amsterdam Food Guide for some quick eating tips here.
A final word of warning, please watch out for the spacecake! Eating cannabis will knock you on your ass and is much stronger than when smoked.
Finally, enjoy yourselves and for goodness sake obey the rules, laws and customs while you are smoking weed in Amsterdam.
If you have an addiction to drugs then reach out and seek some help.
Check out these Weed Products for your next travel adventure.
Europe
Four Jandals Visits an Amsterdam Peep Show
Have you ever wanted to visit an Amsterdam peep show? We had the chance to go and embraced it with open arms. Check out our experience here
An Amsterdam peep show is a must, just like visiting the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Okay slightly different. But you have got to go!
And if you have ever wanted to visit Amsterdam then more than likely you are going to be interested in checking out a peep show in the red light district. It might be worthwhile checking out this Amsterdam’s Red Light District – The ultimate guide.
There is something about the red light district that draws the punters and tourists alike in. Maybe it is the bright red neon lights that illuminate the darkened alleyways that pull them in like moths to a flame. Or the bars and coffee shops that let a certain smell waft lazily across the glistening canals.
Or maybe it is just the fact that sex really does sell.
When we visited Amsterdam with a couple of friends we actually spent what I now consider an embarrassingly long time in that same area. The fact is that we seriously could not get enough.
Not like that of course!
We just couldn’t believe that everyone is so open and carefree about what is for all intents and purposes, window shopping for sex. The number of guys knocking on windows and being ushered behind the curtains of every room were staggering.
However, we were not enticed ourselves to fork over $50 euros but were intrigued enough to want to check out an Amsterdam peep show. I just want to clarify here that it was actually Adela that was the most keen. I just didn’t want to let her down so went along with it…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaynekaye/4792525797
Visiting the Amsterdam peep show
Much to our surprise, there is only one Amsterdam peep show left in the whole city back in 2012!
The very originally named “Sex Palace” is situated on the banks of one of the main canals in the heart of the red light district on Oudezijds Achterburgwal street. Walking under the neon flashing lights into the entrance way your senses are assaulted by sights, sounds and disturbingly smell.
All around the walls are posters and screens showing ladies in various states of undress and positions. A white board lists the movies that you can rent out for your viewing pleasure in one of the many private booths. But we were only there for one thing:
The circular structure sitting slightly to the left of the entrance with a dozen small doors along it’s walls.
Each of those small doors lead into equally small rooms no larger than a traditional UK phone box. A small covered viewing window blocks your view forward.
The money box clinging to the wall to operate the viewing window only accepts coins. But don’t worry if you only have notes as they handily have a large coin machine dishing out $2 euro coins for ease of watching.
Once you close the door and chuck in your money, the viewing window pops open for 2 minutes and allows you to view the large, slowly-rotating stage on which a scantily-dressed woman displays herself. With her flexibility she could have represented any country in the upcoming Olympics!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattmangum/2301545978
I was cracking up laughing the entire time I was in there because you can actually just make out the rest of the “audience” in the opposite booths. I even got a little wave and smile as the girl slowly revolved past my window.
The Amsterdam peep show was a little bit creepy. But even though we were there late on a Saturday night the booths were doing a roaring trade. Obviously nearly everyone else, from the hens parties to the couples, were there for the same reason as us. To check out one or two rounds before heading back into the night giggling like school girls at a sleepover at what we had just done.
The shifty eyed single men on the other hand skulked away to their respective viewing windows again and again with pockets full of coins.
If you ever get the chance then we actually do highly recommend taking the plunge and visiting an Amsterdam peep show. Just make sure that you are always respectful of the women in the shows and the ones on the streets!
Have you ever been to an Amsterdam Peep Show or Sex show? Tell us about your experience below.
We have been wearing out our jandals (Kiwi for flip-flops) on our travel adventures around the world since 2009. We think our blog is thought provoking and a little witty. But we have been proven wrong before. Find out more about us here...
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Laurence
October 4, 2012 at 4:32 PM
Some spectacular photos here! Love what you did with the shot of the church at the end – really funky stuff 😀
Cole Burmester
October 4, 2012 at 5:07 PM
Cheers mate. Someone showed me a trick or two recently 😉
Laurence
October 4, 2012 at 5:08 PM
Well, when you’re world famous and touring the world with your camera.. just remember us 😉
Cole Burmester
October 4, 2012 at 5:10 PM
I will probably need someone to carry my tripod for me. Will ask Vera next time haha.
Andrea
October 4, 2012 at 4:40 PM
Stunning photos Cole! Glad we got to hang out in Costa Brava for a couple of days. See you (and Adela?) at WTM. 🙂
Cole Burmester
October 4, 2012 at 5:07 PM
Haha she does exist and will be at WTM! Always fun catching up with you and looking forward to it again.
Bret@ Green Global Travel
October 4, 2012 at 4:41 PM
WHOA! Those Lightroom tips from Laurence are clearly paying off! The first and last shots are especially cool. Keep up the good work…
Cole Burmester
October 4, 2012 at 5:08 PM
Thanks Bret. Can’t take all the credit, considering how beautiful Costa Brava is 😉
BackPackerSteve
October 4, 2012 at 4:58 PM
Awesome pictures, Cole – especially the HDR!
Cole Burmester
October 4, 2012 at 5:08 PM
Cheers Steve. Now if only I could find the time to put together all our video footage from that bike trip…
Vegemitevix
October 4, 2012 at 5:36 PM
Awesome photos Cole, shame I missed TBEX but hopefully will catch up with you and Adela at WTM! Vix x
Cole Burmester
October 5, 2012 at 9:02 AM
Yup we will be at WTM so see you there! Looking forward to it.
Karen @ Trans-Americas Journey
October 4, 2012 at 6:59 PM
Lovely!
Cole Burmester
October 5, 2012 at 9:02 AM
Thanks Karen.
Christina
October 4, 2012 at 11:06 PM
Ah wow, that picture of the waterfall – it looks so un-Spanish, at least in my vision of Spain. Makes me think I really haven’t seen much of Spain yet! Love that scene. Great to hear you had such a fab time!
Cole Burmester
October 5, 2012 at 9:03 AM
On our bike tour there are all these little secret spots hidden away that they guide you to. Well worth the uphill effort 😉
Just One Boomer (Suzanne)
October 5, 2012 at 3:49 AM
You earned your “show and tell” by the Costa Brava Tourism Board. One photo is indeed worth a thousand words (well, some photos, like these, anyway). I now have a good excuse for returning to Spain since we never made it to the Costa Brava.
Cole Burmester
October 5, 2012 at 9:05 AM
Thanks Suzanne! Costa Brava is definitely one of the best spots in Spain, although to be fair we haven’t been right down South yet. Get in touch with the Tourism Board if you ever get to go. They will tell you all the best places to visit.
(P.S. Glad to have you back again) 🙂
Samantha Bangayan
October 5, 2012 at 8:22 AM
Wow! These are absolutely gorgeous photos! My favorite is the one of the secluded waterfall, which looks like an HDR image. Somehow, those very places that not all tourists see are the most special.
Cole Burmester
October 5, 2012 at 9:06 AM
It was edited a little to look HDR but really was more beautiful in person 🙂 These “secret” spots you can really only access if they tell you where they are personally. That’s why I loved it so much.
Shamis @ Gawaya Travel Blog
October 5, 2012 at 8:50 AM
Beautiful photos, Cole! Love the waterfall. I wouldn’t miss to take a dip there. It just so amazing.
Cole Burmester
October 5, 2012 at 9:11 AM
I only had my underwear unfortunately and didn’t want to strip off in front of the group of strangers haha. No need to terrorise them 😉
sasha the traveller
October 5, 2012 at 10:53 AM
You certainly have the photographer’s eye…absolutely stunning pictures. I hope you have printed some out and framed them on your wall as they need to be shown!
Cole Burmester
October 5, 2012 at 6:04 PM
We will once we settle down and have somewhere to hang them 😉
Jeremy Branham
October 5, 2012 at 3:41 PM
What a beautiful area! I’ve been to Barcelona but not the Costa Brava area. Jealous that you got to go to TBEX. Hope you had a great time but I know you enjoyed the views!
Cole Burmester
October 5, 2012 at 6:07 PM
Was a great event and would like to get to the North American TBEX sometime in the future. Bit far for us though.
laini
October 5, 2012 at 4:29 PM
Wow, beautiful shots! Your colors are exquisite!
Cole Burmester
October 5, 2012 at 6:07 PM
Thanks Laini 🙂 Not hard to take good photos with a landscape like that!
Jenna
October 5, 2012 at 5:06 PM
I am really looking forward to taking a long trip to Spain one of these days, and these photos inspire me to visit Costa Brava. Looks like such a great mix of history, natural beauty, and culture.
Cole Burmester
October 5, 2012 at 6:08 PM
We have spent 4 weeks there now and cannot get enough. Need to head further south on our next visit I think! See ya there 😉
Jeff Titelius
October 5, 2012 at 5:41 PM
Such a vibrant tour through Costa Brava my friend. Gorgeous pics! I would have loved to visit the Sant Feliu de Guíxols Monastery pictured above. And relieved to hear that you never hit a spicy Pimientos de Padrón! Great post!
Cole Burmester
October 5, 2012 at 6:09 PM
I kind of wanted to eat a spicy one to see what all the fuss is about… But glad I didn’t haha. You definitely would have loved the architecture around some of the Spanish villages we visited.
Sharon Glanville at BeBetsy
October 5, 2012 at 5:45 PM
I love reading travel blogs-fun places to visit. Photos are wonderful!
Cole Burmester
October 5, 2012 at 6:09 PM
Come back any time Sharon 😉
Marlys
October 5, 2012 at 5:49 PM
Great shots! Are those deep fried chilis? Were they hot! Yum!
Cole Burmester
October 5, 2012 at 6:10 PM
Definitely fried in something and quite salty. Luckily they are sweet, apart from 1 in 10 apparently.
Debbie
October 5, 2012 at 9:10 PM
Stunning, stunning photos. It looks gorgeous! The waterfall looks so inviting!
Cole Burmester
October 6, 2012 at 9:04 AM
I wanted to just dive right in Debbie!
Andy
October 5, 2012 at 10:37 PM
Really awesome pictures. They make me miss Spain a lot! Although I am a sucker for beaches, I’d have to go with picture 1 or 4 for creativity and perspective.
Cole Burmester
October 6, 2012 at 9:04 AM
I prefer the last photo but just because the ocean looks inviting and the clouds just pop!
Jeff Dobbins
October 5, 2012 at 10:45 PM
Wow. Absolutely stunning. I just got home from the region Tuesday, and you make me want to turn around and head back. Sorry I didn’t meet you at TBEX, but hopefully soon.
Cole Burmester
October 6, 2012 at 9:05 AM
Unfortunately I probably only met about 25% of the people I was trying to meet up with! Would definitely be keen to catch up though Jeff if you make it to Scotland or somewhere else on our travels.
Audrey
October 6, 2012 at 2:33 PM
The cornfields look like a blast! I’d love to cycle through there. 😀
Cole Burmester
October 7, 2012 at 2:44 PM
Very relaxing cycle and such a beautiful spot to do it.
Tim @ Marginal Boundaries
October 8, 2012 at 1:36 PM
Beautiful stuff 🙂
Spain is high on my list of places to head to after I finish up in South America, and these photos only reinforce the desire. Good times, good times 🙂
Cole Burmester
October 8, 2012 at 4:41 PM
Maybe we can swap places then Tim! We want to get to South America sometime soon 🙂
Caanan @ No Vacation Required
October 8, 2012 at 1:48 PM
We completely fell in love with the Spanish coast earlier in the year. Discovering the area on a bicycle sounds especially nice.
Cole Burmester
October 8, 2012 at 4:41 PM
It is great because you can escape all the crowds you usually get in these beautiful coastal spots.
D.J. - The World of Deej
October 8, 2012 at 2:40 PM
Great pics…I definitely missed out at TBEX it seems!:)
Cole Burmester
October 8, 2012 at 4:42 PM
Try and get to the one in Toronto. Even if you buy a ticket now and have to sell it because you can’t go. Totally worth it.
Pete
October 8, 2012 at 4:55 PM
Some really nice shots Cole, I especially like the road through the corn fields. It is composed really well.
I’m really bummed we didn’t make it over for TBEX, but we’ll get to this region eventually.
Cole Burmester
October 9, 2012 at 9:23 AM
Would have been great to finally meet you guys Pete. Oh well, next time for sure!
Angela
October 8, 2012 at 5:58 PM
Beautiful pictures, it’s a stunning region!
Mariana Calleja / TravelThirst
October 8, 2012 at 6:43 PM
Great pics guys! Definitely this place is a little treasure in the whole region. I’ve been able to explore it slowly since living in Barcelona. Totally worth it! Glad you enjoyed. Cheers!
Cole Burmester
October 9, 2012 at 9:24 AM
Cheers Mariana 🙂 You are super lucky to be living in Spain!
Amanda
October 8, 2012 at 10:54 PM
It looks so gorgeous! I especially love that last photo.
Cole Burmester
October 9, 2012 at 9:25 AM
Not hard to take good photos of beautiful spots 😛
Cathy Sweeney
October 9, 2012 at 3:39 AM
Girona is so photogenic, isn’t it? Of course, so is most of Costa Brava. I loved it there. I wish I could have taken a cycling tour like you did. Looks like a great area to do that.
Cole Burmester
October 9, 2012 at 9:28 AM
Peaceful, relaxing and easy cycling. Couldn’t ask for much more than that 🙂
Mike@frenchtravelguide.co.uk
October 10, 2012 at 3:57 PM
I like your pictures of the tourist sports of Costa Brava. It is really inviting me or making me go there very soon! I appreciate the waterfalls! By the way, I must commend you for taking great captures!
Cole Burmester
October 11, 2012 at 9:49 AM
Thanks Mike. Costa Brava is one very beautiful place to visit.
crazy sexy fun traveler
October 11, 2012 at 8:56 PM
Aww, I want to go to that waterfall!
Cole Burmester
October 12, 2012 at 9:29 AM
Get on ya bike then 🙂
Mellisa Turner
October 23, 2012 at 1:24 PM
Absolutely stunning pictures there! Going through these
images leaves a lingering image of Costa Brava. It is just so fabulous. It is
amusing that not one of those green peppers turned hot and spicy 🙂
Cole Burmester
October 31, 2012 at 9:24 AM
I finally got a hot pepper! But it wasn’t in Costa Brava, was down in Vigo 🙂
PurpleTravelKate
October 26, 2012 at 10:57 AM
Love it, your pics really show a lot of the gorgeous sides of the Costa Brava. It’s like a whole bunch of reasons to go all in photos. 🙂
Cole Burmester
October 31, 2012 at 9:43 AM
Thanks Kate! It is easy to take photos of beautiful places though so I can’t take much credit 😉
PurpleTravelKate
October 31, 2012 at 9:56 AM
Yeah, but a good eye always helps! 🙂
Alex
April 18, 2016 at 8:25 PM
Hello, I spent my summers in the costa brava and these are some of the best pictures I have seen so far of it. I just wonder where the waterfall is? I wanna know since I have already been in the other places.