More than 100 years old and located in the cigar capital of the world, the Columbia restaurant’s historic Ybor City location is the original restaurant from which the other Florida locations were born. The restaurant has also been awarded the national prize for best Cubano sandwich for a number of years.

I first visited the Columbia at their Sarasota location on a trip to Longboat Key. I was so taken with their menu and atmosphere, I simply had to see where it all began. So on a walking tour of Ybor City, Tampa’s world-famous Latin quarter, my husband and I stopped by for lunch.

What we tried:

We started off with an appetizer selection of black bean cakes which were much more succulent than either of us expected. In fact, we wouldn’t mind heading back sometime and filling up on a double order of those little num nums. They were that good. David had a fish sandwich with plantain chips that was fine, fresh and perfectly respectable for the basic fish sandwich that it was. The real star of the show however was the crispy breaded eggplant Riojana. If you think you’ve tried every spectacular eggplant dish on the planet, get ready for some full, party-in-your-mouth flavor. It’s really a killer entrée.

What we noticed:

The history and charm of this century-plus-old establishment really shines through, particularly in their courtyard seating area and during their evening cultural dance performances. If you have a chance to receive a facility-wide tour from Joe, their goodwill ambassador, don’t pass it up. Joe’s been with the family at the Ybor City location for fifty years and has had his share of celebrity sightings and customer experiences. The private rooms of the Columbia all have unique features and artwork, including some elaborately-decorated tile.

Editor’s note: Ybor City is one of several walking tours in Tampa Bay that are worth your time, and lunch at this establishment is not to be missed while you’re in that part of town. Also of note on the menu are the house sangria, the 1905 salad and of course, their award-winning Cubano.

Photo Credits: The images in this article were photographed by the Trek Hound team.

If you’re trying to stay on the road for a long time, learning how to make nutritious cheap food is going to be critical to your extended travel budget. This means you’re going to have to develop a list of ramen recipes you trust.

And they’d better be easy, because chances are you’ll be lucky to have a hot plate and a tea kettle. Here’s a gathering of simple meal ideas using ramen, designed with the frugal traveler in mind.

Backpacker’s ramen with chicken and vegetables.

This recipe for backpacking poultry and vegetable ramen from Matt Fischer is made with canned chicken, ramen and vegetables that will stay fresh (enough) in your pack for a few days. If you have a flexible cutting board, multi-purpose tool and something to eat your food in, you’ll be all set.

More elaborate trail recipes for ramen are also possible.

These “trail chef” recipes from Backpacker.com demonstrate a bit more flexibility and use additional dehydrated items creatively. They even demonstrate how possible it is to have dessert ramen in the wilderness. How cool is that?

Coffee maker ramen for the budget business traveler can be quite a flexible meal.

Basically, you’re preparing ramen in a coffee maker, but by putting broccoli pieces in the filter area and tossing in a little sauce and perhaps some pre-cooked shrimp you can actually have something pretty close to take-out food. This is particularly helpful if your hotel is in the middle of nowhere and all you have access to is the grocery store and the nearest fast-food drive through. Those travelers adhering to a plant-based diet can keep things on track by selecting vegan ramen flavors to combine with vegetables and a bit of peanut sauce.

Full-meal ramen ideas can be incorporated at a hostel.

If you are staying at an establishment with a full kitchen, try your hand at a beef and vegetable ramen stir fry dish, or something equally well-rounded and nutritious. There are many different stir fry combinations you can try. The point is to take advantage of the stove and preparation tools to prepare an affordable meal on the fly. After all, you’re trying to save more money for travel activities and attractions, right?

When it comes to affordable meal ideas you can tuck into your luggage, ramen is certainly more affordable than those expensive pre-made trail meals. So branch out and get creative. Ramen isn’t just for work-at-home lunches. It’s a great resource for adventure, business and long-term travelers as well.

Photo Credit: Jeffrey W.

On our journey to El Oriente in Ecuador, we stayed in small, developing town known as Misahualli. While the selection of places to rest your head was somewhat slim, we did manage to secure lodging at a small eco lodge called France-Amazonia.

As eco lodges go, France-Amazonia can hardly be called a luxury resort. That being said, it is a clean, quaint and secure guest house with a reasonable amount of charm. They have a locked parking area for your vehicle, private bathrooms in each room, a bar, pool, thatched hammock area with bonfire access, private path to the river for canoe access and a fresh breakfast served each morning.

Apparently, they used to also make food to order for lunch and dinner as well, but when we were there the venue had new owners and this wasn’t on their list of services. They did however, order food for us from downtown so we could enjoy dinner on site for a fee and still have access to the bar without having to drive.

The other convenient thing about this location is that if you are booking one of several available river tours, you can use the private trail ( more than a little slippery) to access the river and your tour operator will pick you up right there at the hotel. It’s nice not to have to walk far back to your room at the end of the day, as opposed to still needing to arrange transport from the waterfront area of Misahualli.

We enjoyed our rooms, the pool and the bonfire area with bar access and would stay here again. The service is somewhat casual, as the owners live on site and you need to flag them down with a bell near their living area should a need arise. Not all rooms are first floor, so if climbing up the stairs with your luggage is an issue, be sure to book a ground room. We paid less than $50 for ours, which was upstairs and adjoined to the room of our other traveling companions with a private balcony and lockable common door.

Photo Credit: Trek Hound – Other pictures from Ecuador’s El Oriente are available are available through a creative commons agreement on our sister site, Pictures of Travel Places.

Termas de Papallacta Spa & Resort in the mountains of Ecuador is an amazing escape from the typical tourist rush.

Drivable from Quito, the resort is a rustically-romantic getaway that successfully blends luxury with nature. Nestled high in the mountains of Ecuador, Papallacta provides thermal pools, a full-service spa, fine dining and access to nature trails. We stayed there for a night during a month-long vacation in Ecuador. Here’s a run-down of our experience.

The Papallacta spa was fantastic.

We were pleased to find that the Papallacta spa was a full-service establishment with a fireside quiet area to enjoy while we waited for our treatments. Mid-week rates were a steal, with a one-hour hot stone massage costing only 30 bucks on a Thursday night.

How was the food at Termas Papallacta Spa & Resort?

The restaurant served a fair amount of food that was sourced locally, including fish and vegetables. While we’d heard great things about the service, they were apparently breaking in a new staff person while we were there because it left a bit to be desired. That being said, it was a nice restaurant and the food was definitely fabulous.

The rooms at Papallacta were rustic but definitely comfortable.

While I believe there were regular rooms available, we stayed at one of the guest cottages with step-out-the-door access to multiple thermal pools of varying temperatures and steaming hot waterfalls to sit underneath. The cottages had a room that would sleep five, a huge bathtub and shower combo, and a front room with a glass-front wood stove, couch, dinette set and several kitchenette appliances like a toaster oven, sink area, small fridge and a microwave.

There was also a front porch sitting area to enjoy the mountain scenery after a dip in the thermal pools. There was also another side of the cottage that you could book as an adjoining room if your family or traveling group was large. We found the cottage to be very comfortable and used the kitchenette to have a private breakfast rather than heading to the restaurant.

Termas de Papallacta definitely has some perks.

Step-out access to steamy, thermal pool luxury, a full-service spa, hiking and equestrian trails with a two-room suite and fine dining to boot make the Termas de Papallacta Spa & Resort worth the trip. Add in the mountain scenery and relaxed atmosphere, and you’ve got yourself a romantic getaway you’ll remember for years to come. The partially-furnished kitchenette in our room at Papallacta was a huge perk as well, allowing privacy and cost-control for at least some of the meals consumed while we were there.

Personal Papallacta verdict?

In my opinion, Termas de Papallacta is a nice establishment that’s worth spending the money to visit. The fact that Wi-Fi was only available in the main lobby area seemed like a bit of a quirk to me, because I am a freelancer who works from the road. That being said, it is supposed to be a luxurious nature getaway and the capacity to check in with clients back in the States was definitely available on site. Papallacta makes a great getaway in its own right, as well as a fun and scenic drive-and-stop to combine with a trip to Ecuador’s Orienté to explore the headwaters of the Amazon River.

Editor’s Note: These and other pictures of Papallacta are available at one of our sister sites, Pictures of Travel Places for you to use for free through a creative commons agreement. We ask only for a link back to the photo gallery.

Photo Credits: Trek Hound

My first thought upon walking into Union Station?

Harrisonburg has a hot spot for happy hour. Of course, I should probably disclose what a sucker I am for historical buildings restored with loft-like charm. I love them. And the Union Station Restaurant and Bar in Harrisonburg, Va is just such a venue. With tin ceilings, original hardware and signs representing the buildings original use, the atmosphere is set before you even sit down to eat.

While I settled on the shrimp and oyster po’boy with battered fries (and was very happy with it), others in my party ordered menu items they claimed were equally yummy. Soup salad combos, chorizo and chipotle quesadillas and decadent salads dotted the table. Definitely the spot to be in town when you’re feeling hungry.

There was plenty of parking, and I noticed Union Station is within walking distance for many people working in that area of town. Particularly for those employed by Rosetta Stone, which is on the same street. All of this combines for a place I’d be confident hitting for happy hour on any night of the work week. Personal verdict: A fun mid-priced dining option for those who like historical charm while they bar hop.

Editor’s Note: The Union Station establishment represents some of the many enjoyable things to do in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Others include the Virginia Quilt Museum, CrossKeys Vineyards, the White Oak Lavender Farm and stone’s-throw visit to Shenandoah National Park. If you are going to be in the area for awhile, consider squeezing in a visit to Luray Caverns for a quick geology fix.

Photo Credits: Trek Hound – More pictures of Union Station Restaurant and Bar are available through our sister creative commons site. You may use them in your online content in exchange for a link back to the photo gallery.

Hotels near Disney World Orlando can run the gamut when it comes to affordability and quality. So when I discovered a three-bedroom, two-bath villa available for roughly $80 per night during a recent travel blogging media event, I sat up and paid attention. It was one of two affordable alternatives to hotels near Disney World Orlando in fairly close proximity to each other.

The first was Caribe Cove.

This was the facility where my husband and I stayed. The villas retailed at roughly $80 per night, and offered two bedrooms, two baths, fully-equipped modern kitchen, dining room, living area and private patio. Caribe Cove also comes with a few resort-style amenities, including a pool, hot tub, fitness facility, steam room and sauna. From here, it’s a relatively easy drive to Disney and you can whip up meals in your family-sized kitchen at the end of the day. The children’s suite with adjoining bath is also at the other end of the villa from the living area and master suite, making it possible to put the little ones to bed and still get a little work done at the end of the day.

Nearby is the Bahama Bay resort.

The Bahama Bay property is quite similar to Caribe Cove, and offers both two and three bedroom villas for reservation. There are a few more amenities available at Bahama Bay, including a bar and restaurant. It’s also a larger property overall, with a significantly higher number of buildings housing rental villas. Since Bahama Bay is right around the corner from Caribe Cove, a vacation stay there will also put you within easy automobile access to Disney World Orlando.

If you are looking for a way to experience the magic of the mouse, and don’t want to break the bank doing it, then booking a villa where you can prepare your own meals while the kids work out the last of the day’s energy in the pool just might be what the doctor ordered. Have you visited Caribe Cove or Bahama Bay on a family vacation? What were your impressions and experiences?

Photo Credit: Bahama Bay Resort

Disclosure statement: My first experience with Caribe Cove and Bahama Bay was with a media event for travel bloggers and journalists in Central Florida. Both of these resorts hosted portions of the event so that we could accurately experience what the properties had to offer before letting our readers know about the resorts themselves.

My sister Regina and I always spend a day together for our birthdays. Since mine is in July, the options are better for play. Hers is in January, and the best options — those involving sun and warmth — also involve substantial planning and cost. So, this year, she decided she wanted just to go to the New England Aquarium in Boston. We could drive, take a bus or a train. Turns out the weather was going to be unpredictable…typical for New England winters…so we opted for the Concord Lines bus ride; staying home just wasn’t an option. The first thing I learned is that these drivers are pretty awesome. They tackled snow on the way down and freezing rain on the way back, as well as those notorious Boston drivers, with great aplomb and safety. I’ve ridden Concord many, many times, but never in these conditions. Two thumbs up, I say!

We planned on walking once we got to Boston but looked into taking the T anyway, thinking the ride might be a little longer, but we’d stay warm and dry. The second thing I learned is that T staff are very helpful. We got good advice from a T employee who could’ve just sold us tickets and sent us on our way. We’re walkers, and as I said, the snow was no big whoop, so we walked the 1/2 mile or so from South Station to the aquarium instead of using an hour of our day taking the T alternative. Boston is really quite lovely in the snow. The sidewalks were being cleared before us as we traveled, and it was really a good walk.

We arrived at the aquarium to learn that although the staff was present in force, the public wasn’t. The third thing I learned was that a snowy day is a great day to spend at the aquarium. Instead of using the low traffic as an excuse to slough off, the aquarium staff were twice as attentive to those of us who did come in. We saw a turtle get a kidney biopsy and had our own staff telling us the details; got one-on-one info on sea dragons; and heard a more detailed than usual discussion from the divers who maintain the huge central tank and its residents at the aquarium. Also, there was no fighting to see exhibits. It was just great. To be clear, it’s SNOWY days that are good at the aquarium. The staff told us that RAINY days are exactly the opposite.

We capped our day with dinner in the North End at a restaurant called G’Vanni’s. It’s a small dining room — maybe 50 seats. The fourth thing I learned is that, if you are the only guests in a restaurant in the North End, the service level is beyond description. We talked with the host (Gianni) and our waitress (Sherry) the whole time, with the exception of the time we were actually eating. It was a wonderful experience, and the food was wonderful. For those with gluten intolerance, G’Vanni’s has a gluten free pasta option available. Regina and I both had the gluten free linguini.  It was really quite good with the fra diavolo sauce we both chose.

By the time we left G’Vanni’s, it was dark and the weather had deteriorated to my least favorite of the winter options — freezing rain. We walked back to South Station with umbrellas daring the wind to invert them and all the crossing areas flooded with water. The last thing I learned about our day in snowy Boston is to be certain your footwear is waterPROOF and not just water RESISTANT!

In sum, folks in New England know from winter weather. Don’t let a little thing like wintery weather keep you from spending your day as you planned. I’m here to tell you it’s worth the effort to go ahead with it. Just plan your clothing and footwear appropriately and carry an umbrella…just in case.

Photo Credit: Rene S

A trip to Boston, for me, necessarily includes a trip to the North End. It’s a flashback both to my childhood and my college years in Cleveland, Ohio. Listening to the residents interacting, walking through the close streets, smelling the amazing aromas that abound in the North End all bring me back to very  happy memories.

When my sister Regina and I took a recent trip to Boston to celebrate her birthday, the plans naturally included the North End. Dinner was our mission. There are so many excellent eateries in the North End that Regina did a little research before we went to pick one. Based on menu and reviews, she chose G’Vanni’s Ristorante.

It was a snowy day in Boston the day we visited G’Vanni’s. We’d made a reservation on line, but few people were on the streets and no one else was in G’Vanni’s but us. G’Vanni’s is an intimate restaurant. No more than 50 seats, I would say. Since only two of those 50 were occupied (by us), we had the full attention of the host and the waitress. It was wonderful.

The ambiance is low light and very Mediterranean with reds and blacks dominating. Italian music plays softly in the background. The menu includes all my favorites – Ossobucco, ravioli, scampi, pollo marsala… I could go on. G’Vanni’s menu also includes an irresistable special — the Veally Good Deal. For $29.99, two diners can get entrees and share a bottle of wine. The deal options were such that we’d've been foolish to go any other way!

An additional plus for both of us — we both keep an eye on gluten intake — was the option for fresh gluten free pasta. We both ordered shrimp fra diavolo and opted for the gluten free pasta. It was delicious! If I hadn’t known it was gluten free, I wouldn’t have.

Basically, two very satisfied diners left G’Vanni’s an hour later on that snowy Tuesday evening. I have no reservation in recommending G’Vanni’s.

Photo credit: Randy Son of Robert

Tahoe’s early snowfall has blanketed South Lake Tahoe with nearly 4 feet of snow at lake level, and 5-6 feet on the mountains.

The winter season is looking good. Snow enthusiasts anxious to visit Tahoe and book their winter trips should take a look at Zephyr Cove Resort. Unlike the hectic and almost urban ski resorts common in the area, Zephyr Cove is a collection of rustic cabins nestled in a grove of pines along the South shoreline and is an ideal place for visitors to escape and nestle into a cozy private cabin surrounded by snow covered acreage.  It’s also home to one of the largest snowmobile centers in the U.S.

This winter, the resort is currently offering up to 25 percent savings on snowmobiling, cruises, lift tickets, meals and lodging with value added  packages allowing travelers to customize their trips to include the Tahoe winter fun of their choice.

Package available Nov. 28 – Dec. 30

December Date Deal – Early in the season bookings with cruise tickets and breakfast

Includes one night’s cabin accommodations, two scenic day cruise tickets and two breakfast entrees.  This deal must be booked  by Dec. 20 and starts at $93 per person based on double occupancy, promo code: decdatedl.

Packages available Nov. 28 – April 11, 2011

Ride, Stay and Cruise – Snowmobile tour, cruise and breakfast.

Starts at $219 per person based on double occupancy, with two nights of lodging, two snowmobile single ride tours, two scenic cruises and two breakfast entrees. Promo code: RSC219PP.

Skiers and Boarders Best Deal package – Lodging only

Bare knuckled boarders, skiers and season pass holders looking for an even better deal can book the package which offers lodge rooms and studio cabins for $25 per person based on quad occupancy,
or $34.50 per person based on double occupancy. Promo code: SKRBSTDL.

Packages available Dec. 11 – April 11, 2011

Two Perfect Tahoe Winter Tahoe Days package – Snowmobile tour, lift tickets and breakfast

Tie in the best of both snow sport worlds with two nights of lodging, two Heavenly lift tickets, breakfast for two, and a two hour double rider snowmobile tour starting at $122 per person. Promo
code: 2perthow.

Zephyr Ski package – Lift tickets and breakfast

Wreck Heavenly’s slope during the day and end the day by retreating to a lakeside cabin at Zephyr Cove Resort.  It features one night of lodging, breakfast for two and two lift tickets for Heavenly Ski
Resort.  The package starts at $140 per person based on double occupancy, promo code: Zephskip.

For more information or to book these specials, visit www.zephycove.com or call (866) 761-6240.

Photo credit: JimG944

Olympic National Park and surroundings set the  stage for a relaxing winter getaway. This year, that getaway is more affordable  than ever.  For November or December travel with the End 2010 with $20.10 Deal, visitors to the area can stay one night at Lake Quinault Lodge (pictured above) or Kalaloch Lodge for $99 and get the second night for ONLY $20.10!

Although it’s one of the wettest regions in the Northwest, there are  plenty of indoor and outdoor activities available to complement an Olympic Peninsula winter escape, rain or shine. Here are some suggestions:

*         Tide pooling at Kalaloch Beach in the twilight hours between 6  and 7 p.m.
*         Storm watching from a cozy cabin at Kalaloch Lodge, as wild Pacific waves crash against boulders
*         Taking a rain forest tour at Lake Quinault Lodge, when fall and winter downpours create the most vibrant setting of the year
*         Watching for the region’s diverse bird species, including crossbills, dippers, warblers, chickadees, nuthatches and thrushes
*         Indulging in the culinary delights of Chef Patrick Norris at Lake Quinault Lodge’s Roosevelt Room, featuring contemporary twists on Northwest fare
*         Relaxing fireside in either lodge’s fireplace rooms or the grand fireplace in Lake Quinault Lodge’s lobby

This package is valid for visits from Nov. 1 to Dec. 30, 2010. Blackout dates include Nov. 23-26 and Dec. 22-26. Visitors must book by November 30. Reservations for either lodges can be made by visiting www.olympicnationalparks.com or by calling (866) 297-7367.

Photo credit:  ARAMARK Parks and Destinations