Iberostar official blog where we can meet and decide our next travel destination
Header

The Fiddler on the Roof is on Vacation… In Croatia

enero 31st, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in The View - (0 Comments)

ViolonSurLeToit

From stage to screen

Best known as a Broadway musical, Fiddler on the Roof has been delighting audiences for almost half a century with its blend of boisterous and mournful melodies. The Tony award winning story of Tevye, the humble milkman with five young daughters and a feisty wife, has played out thousands of times on the stages of Broadway, London’s West End and in theatres all around the world.

With such a popular stage play it was inevitable that a movie version would be made and in 1971 Norman Jewison directed a highly successful big screen adaptation of the Fiddler story. Jewison’s film featured most of the well-loved songs while the famous musician Isaac Stern provided the haunting violin solos.

Location, location, location

The choice of filming location was an interesting one. The Fiddler story is set in Anatevka, a small shtetl (village) in Tsarist Russian not far from Kiev. While now part of Ukraine, at the time of filming the area was deep into the Soviet Union and not the most practical place to shoot an American made movie. A setting was needed that would resemble that turn of the century look of a Eastern European village.  In addition a synagogue had to be constructed as part of the set that was a faithful reproduction of a 1905 Ukrainian synagogue; Robert Boyle, the production designer of ‘Fiddler,’ looked at over 100 Ukrainian synagogues in his quest for absolute authenticity.

The small towns of Lekenik and Mala Gorica in Croatia were chosen to represent Anatevka and for the duration of the movie makers’ presence in town were transformed into 1905 Russian villages. In truth, such a transition was probably not as complicated as its sounds. The buildings of Lekenik were made of wood and very much in the style of the houses that would have stood in Ukraine at the start of the 20th century. The production team took advantage of the fact that things change very slowly in the rural landscapes of Eastern Europe.

Visiting Croatia Today

Take a vacation in Croatia now and you’re likely to enjoy the finest, most modern hotel facilities and some of the Mediterranean’s finest seafood. But if you take a trip into the rural inland areas of Croatia, you may find your mind going back to another age; to a time where five daughters were proving more than a handful for a certain troubled milkman!

Photo | Morburre

, , , , ,

Dominoes: The Quintessential Latin Street Game

enero 30th, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in Snapshots - (0 Comments)

I’m based in Miami, Florida these days, and both here and on my travels down to Latin America – and especially in and around the Caribbean — I regularly come across a board game that I had just a glancing acquaintance with growing up. Dominoes have been around for literally millennia, of course. Originally from China, like pasta they found their way to Europe and beyond centuries ago, and still have a worldwide following. But when was the last time you played, or even heard of anyone actually playing? All that really comes to mind for me are the “goofy-stunts-from-around-the-world” reel TV news channels run every so often about international events where geeks set up gigantic, elaborate domino chains and then knock ‘em over neatly as you please. But that’s not really playing, now, is it?

Now, I do hear that lately dominoes have been staging a comeback in some quarters — in the U.K., for example, it’s something of a popular pub game and has even become a ‘thing’ among teens in recent years. But nowhere have I seen it played more than south of the border. It’s only when I visit Little Havana here at home or travel to the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, and elsewhere in the Spanish-speaking Americas, that I invariably witness the game actually being played everywhere and enthusiastically. It’s pretty much central to socializing, especially among guys. In fact, one of Cuban Miami’s most famous landmarks is “Domino Park” on Calle Ocho (aka Southwest Eighth Street), a covered pavilion filled with tables of elderly Cuban gents playing dominó (said in Spanish, the accent’s on the last syllable), clacking and slamming up a storm with their rectangular little dotted tiles.

In the countries of Latin America (and some places in the English-speaking Caribbean, such as Jamaica), the game also seems to be played mostly by older men, although down there I’ve seen plenty of young guys at it too – more so than in Miami – and a few females, as well.  But many’s been the time I’d stroll through Puerto Plata, or Trinidad, or some other tropical town where more than a few folks live with their doors open and hang out day and night on their front porches, and spot dudes on those porches, and in cafés, bars, town squares, or any number of places both public and private, playing with enthusiasm and even passion on boards both fancy/colorful and rough/improvised. There are various variations depending on the country and even the city, but wherever they’re played and in whatever version, dominoes are all an important part of Latin social life across the hemisphere.

So the next time you find yourself in a bar or town square south of the border, get yourself a little dominoes action: it’s a surefire way to strike up a conversation, and even if you don’t speak the language, the dots will speak for themselves.

Photo | Gabofr

, , , , ,

World’s Sexiest Woman in Brazil: Alessandra Ambrosio

enero 27th, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in Local Characters - (0 Comments)

Brazil is famous for many things: long stretches of golden beaches, lush jungles inhabited by jaguars, all-night-long parties, beach volleyball and most of all, beautiful people. Sultry, sexy and hot – the beauty queens and supermodels of Brazil have long given it a reputation as the land of the world’s most alluring women. From Gisele Bundschen to Adriana Lima (just to name a couple), the list of supermodels who hail from Brazil is longer than that of any other country in the world.

World’s Sexiest Women

One of the hottest Brazilian models in the fashion industry these days is Alessandra Ambrosio (right), a native Brazilian who’s rocked the world with her smouldering good looks and charisma. In her successful career as a top model, Ambrosio is best known as the face of American lingerie brand, Victoria’s Secret. She appeared on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show for the first time in 2000, and continues to steal the limelight ten years on. Her biggest headliner was the runway walk she did in 2005 wearing lingerie made entirely out of candy. As the spokesmodel for Victoria’s Secret, she’s been dubbed by the media as one of the world’s sexiest women. She was also chosen as one of People magazine’s annual 100 Most Beautiful People in the World, in May 2007 .

Ambrosio’s Brazil

While there are probably few chances of finding Ambrosio sun-bathing on the beach, there are certainly other ways to get acquainted with her and her hometown of Florianópolis, Brazil, where she currently lives with her husband and daughter. Florianópolis is the capital of the state of Santa Catarina and boasts a beautiful setting overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

To start your tour of the city, head to the most beautiful building in town, the Catedral Metropolitana, and then wander through the Municipal Market to experience Brazil’s culinary offerings. But the star of Florianópolis has got to be the beaches – all 42 of them – wild, undisturbed and absolutely stunning. Head to any beach in Florianopolis and you’ll be teased by a smorgasbord of beautiful girls spotting gorgeous tans and clad in skimpy bikinis. If that’s not enough of beach bumming for you, be sure to include Salvador da Bahia and Rio de Janeiro – home to the best beaches in Brazil – in your itinerary!

Photo | over_kind_man

, , , , , , ,

Night Train: Train Travel in Europe

enero 26th, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in The View - (1 Comments)

Two night trains at Oslo S

The plot of Night Train is morbid yet undeniably fascinating. A dead man is found on a train. Noone knows who he is and the only item the conductor and two passengers find in his possession is a set of white diamonds. What do they do? Do they tell the police and hand over the jewels? Of course they don’t (there wouldn’t be a movie then, after all). Instead they try to dispose of the body while getting tangled in an ever more dangerous web, as they soon discover that others are equally determined to lay their hands on the diamonds.

Crossing Borders

Thankfully a train journey through Europe is not likely to reveal either dead bodies or stashes of hidden jewels. What the European trains do allow is for travelers to cross from one country to another in a matter of a couple hours. You can be in the Hungarian capital Budapest in the morning, stop in Bratislava for lunch and arrive in Vienna a short while later. Borders are crossed with little drama and often without even a passport inspection.

Night Trains

Night trains are a popular way for those on a budget to get between cities. For those who can sleep almost anywhere, a relatively cheap berth on an overnight train allows a night’s rest without the expense of a hotel night. While some countries (notably the UK) shut down most of their rail services around midnight, in much of central and eastern Europe the stations come to life at this time with traders and travelers waiting on platforms for their onward connections.

Night Train is set in Bulgaria although there is no indication in the movie that the setting is anywhere but North America. Presumably filming a night movie means that little consideration needs to be made for scenery or the architecture of station buildings, while creating a carriage with an American feel is not too difficult.

Bulgaria Travels

Take a vacation in Bulgaria and you’ll find traveling around easy and cheap. The capital Sofia is worth a day or two of exploration, while the Black Sea coast is a great place to unwind on the popular sandy beaches. The country is well connected by a cheap and fairly efficient rail service. One piece of advice though: if you happen to find a set of jewels on a train, it’s always best to hand them in and avoid the consequences. Watch Night Train and I’m sure you’ll agree with us!

Photo | Alasdair McLellan

Tunisian Food 101: A Palette of Exotic Flavors

enero 25th, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in Mystery Guest - (15 Comments)

Sun, sand and sea…what more could a person want for a relaxing vacation? Europeans have long known the allure of travel to Tunisia, that small piece of North Africa that’s been attracting tourists with its natural beauty and Mediterranean coast for years. Steeped in culture that can be dated all the way back to prehistoric times, Tunisia has become a playground for those seeking everything from relaxing sea water therapy to playing the links.

This “mystery guest” loves nothing more than relaxing in the atmosphere of one of Iberostar’s ten resorts and hotels in Tunisia. Whether it be the elegant five-star Iberostar Solaria in Hammamet, or the comfortable Mehari Djerba with its Tunisian architecture and 27-hole golf course nearby, I’m always ready to relax and soak up some sun and serious food when I visit.

If you’re new to Tunisian food, you’re in for a real treat, as the influences of nearby cultures permeate the foods. Forget what you thought you knew, and open up your senses to the Tunisian tajin, which is a crustless quiche, brik, made of egg and tuna stuffed into a hearty dough, and couscous, the national dish, which in my humble opinion is by far the finest in all of North Africa.

Chef Slim Bettajeb oversees the food at all ten of Iberostar’s Tunisian resorts. I was able to get a few minutes of his time and learn a bit about the man behind the food at our favorite resorts.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your career. How did you get to be an Iberostar chef?

I studied the culinary arts at École Hotelliere from 1984 to 1985. Having worked in several major hotel chains, I took the opportunity to participate in various international events, including the Guinness world records — for the biggest couscous (2 tons), as well as having participated in gastronomic week festivals around the world, until I came to work for Iberostar.

What Tunisian dishes are served at your resort? Are they served every day at lunch and dinner? Is anything typically Tunisian served at breakfast?

We specialize in all types of couscous dishes such as stews, rices, hot appetizers, and hors d’oeuvres. We serve several of them daily for lunch and dinner, changing our menu often. Mornings bring more typical dishes for breakfast such as donuts (ftaia) and bread (mlaoui).

Which is your favorite Tunisian dish, and why?

My favorite food is bourgoul, which you may know as bulghur or cracked wheat. We prepare it with dried meat and vegetables. It’s healthy and hearty with lots of natural fiber, protein and carbohydrates.

Do you have a recipe that you could share with our readers that would be simple to make at home?

Yes, this Ojja with eggs recipe is relatively simple and would give them the opportunity to sample the flavors of Tunisia at home.

Ojja with eggs

Ingredients

  • Diced peppers 0.250 kg
  • Diced tomato 0.200 kg
  • Crushed garlic 0.080
  • Tomato paste 3 gs
  • 5 eggs
  • salt
  • pepper
  • turmeric
  • caraway
  • Olive oil 0.050 l

Coarsely chop the peppers and tomatoes and crush the garlic. Add the fresh tomatoes, peppers and tomato paste until slightly wet, season with salt, pepper, turmeric and caraway. Simmer. At the end of cooking add the eggs and let them cook. Serve hot.

, , , ,

How Lord of the Flies Came Back to Jamaica

enero 24th, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in The View - (0 Comments)

“Lord of the Flies” is without doubt one of the best-read children’s books despite, or perhaps because of, its dark subject material. Published first in 1954, it was hardly an instant success with only 3,000 copies sold on its initial release. Within a few years however it had become a major success and became a mainstay on the curriculum of many school’s English literature classes. Yet the many links between the story and the Caribbean island of Jamaica reveal a web of intrigue and even controversy. Set at the time of a nuclear war, William Golding’s book tells the story of a group of boys who are stranded on an isolated island following a plane crash. They struggle to form a system of law and order and what they do create soon breaks down amid violence and discord.

At Errol Flynn’s Place in Jamaica

While Golding’s book does not reveal the identity of the island, the two movie adaptations of “The Lord of the Flies” have both been set in the Caribbean. A 1963 British version, directed by Peter Hook, was shot in Puerto Rico while the 1990 Hollywood remake was filmed near  the home of Errol Flynn in the popular resort of Port Antonio. Flynn’s property in Jamaica is now very much part of the tourist trail, with visitors coming to see where Harry Hook’s movie had been produced.

High Jamaican Wind

Many claim that Golding took the idea for the book from an earlier classic, the 1929 “High Jamaican Wind” by Richard Hughes. Hughes’s book also tells of a group of children lost at sea and faced with many difficult and deadly situations. Yet while Golding carefully molds each child’s character to represent a particular trait (the leader, the brains, the rebel), Hughes allows the children to be more authentic characters and his book is considered an unsung and under-rated classic as a result. In “High Jamaican Wind” the characters are raised on a Jamaican plantation and are heading back to England some time in the 19th century. The island plays a starring role in the early parts of the book. It is fitting therefore that in the latest adaptation of Golding’s “The Lord of the Flies,” whatever the origins of his idea, at least the story is once again set on the sandy beaches of Jamaica.

Iberostar Hotels & Resorts offers 3 luxury all-inclusive hotels in Jamaica on some of the best Caribbean beaches.

Photo |  jemasmith

Chankanaab: Cozumel Island’s Top Ticket

enero 23rd, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in Snapshots - (0 Comments)

Cozumel is one of my earliest travel memories, back in the early 1970s when Cancun was still but a glimmer in the eyes of Mexico’s tourism planners, and Chankanaab Lagoon – a five minute cab ride from the island’s town, San Miguel –  was for a then aspiring marine biologist the hands-down highlight of a vacation on this island. It sent my sense of wonder into overdrive as I snorkeled through crystalline water above a section of the world-famous Palancar Reef, surrounded by a riot of colorful fish. I guess you could say I found Nemo three decades before the movie came out.

Fast-forward…and obviously, things are just, well, a wee bit different in 2012 than in 1972. More resorts on Cozumel (including the 306-room Iberostar Cozumel), a bigger airport, and perhaps most of all, routine cruise-ship calls are among the major factors that’ve led to some changes in the landscape and seascape at Chankanaab (Mayan for “small sea,” declared a national park in 1980, and since 1995 part of the larger Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park). Development since my first visit has added to the menu organized snorkel/scuba tours; Snuba (scuba diving but tethered to a raft; no training required); Seatrek (strolling across the seabed with an oxygenated helmet; also no experience needed); statues in an underwater sculpture garden such as a dramatic Christ (pictured above); kayaking; and Dolphin Discovery, which lets folks get in the water with dolphins, sea lions, and manatees. On land, meanwhile, there are a couple of restaurants and reproductions of a traditional Maya village and ruins to tour. So yes, it’s much pricier now – $21 per adult and $14 for kids – but a lot is included, and the magic’s still there, undah da sea…

Iberostar Hotels & Resorts offers 9 hotels in Mexico on Cancun’s and the Riviera Maya’s best Caribbean beaches.

Photo | Jason T. Fowler

, , , , , , ,

Who Won “On the Set With Banderas”?

enero 20th, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in Mystery Guest - (1 Comments)

We know that inquiring (and anxious) minds want to know! Antonio Banderas has that effect when he’s onscreen – but we also happen to think that in this case it has a little something to do with another star – the gorgeous new Iberostar Cancun. We’ve heard you – you love it!

Before we get to the actual winner, here are the answers to our contest’s six questions:

Q: In Desperado, Banderas plays a tough guy with a guitarist past. Which Iberostar country is the character from?
A: Mexico (ay, chihuahua, kind of a no-brainer, eh?)

Q: Which European city was the backdrop for the film version of Evita, in which Banderas starred with Madonna?
A: Budapest (site of Iberostar’s newest property, the Grand Hotel Budapest, covered in our blog when it opened last summer)

Q: The lead characters of The Mambo Kings (one of which is of course played by our redoubtable Antonio) left this, their native country, to make it in the States. Which Iberostar destination is it?
A: Cuba (Ricky Ricardo, move over!)

Q: In his latest, the animated Puss in Boots, Banderas voices the fearless feline. Where’s this kool kitty from?
A: Spain (finally, Antonio’s home country – not to mention Iberostar’s!)

Q: Antonio and Angelina Jolie make an explosive pair in 2001′s high-octane Original Sin. Where’s this one shot (so to speak)?
A: Mexico (again – hey, what can we say, it’s an exciting place)

Q: Black Gold casts Banderas as an oil-fevered emir in Arabia. In which country (with ten Iberostar hotels) was it filmed?
A: Tunisia (no oil, but oh so lovely beaches and cool historic sites)

So, did you get ‘em all right? Seems like we’ve got a lot of Banderas and Iberostar experts out there, because almost half of you did. But unfortunately there could only be one winner, chosen by random drawing, of our all-expenses paid trip for two to the new Iberostar Cancun. A hearty congratulations to Robin Seeger! You could say this is one blockbuster of a prize, Robin, and we hope you’ll tell us all about your trip!

And the rest of you, don’t despair, guys. Stay tuned, because we’ve got a lot more cool contests coming up, starting next month…

, , , ,

Stalking the Giant Anaconda in the Brazilian Amazon

enero 19th, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in The View - (0 Comments)

a baby anaconda

The movie Anaconda was a box office hit when it was released in 1997. Starring Jennifer Lopez and telling the story of a group of documentary makers who make enemies with a giant anaconda in the Amazon rainforest, it brought the drama of the jungle to cinema screens and TVs all over the world. Much of the movie was shot in the spectacular landscapes around the  Brazilian city of Manaus.

Anacondas: How deadly?

It doesn’t take long to realize why they chose the anaconda to play the leading role in the movie (no offense J.Lo). Anacondas are one of the most dangerous snakes in the world, not for their bite (they are non-venomous) but for their ability to crush their prey to death. As a water-loving snake they are most likely to eat large fish but have been known to catch caimans and even jaguars in the Amazon jungle.

A debate has raged for many years about the existence of giant anacondas. Doubts persist as to just how large these fearsome snakes can be, with some claiming that anacondas can reach over 60 feet in length while the largest recorded sighting is a ‘mere’ 28 feet. The question remains therefore whether the story of giant snakes in the Amazon is a myth that belongs in the same category as Jurassic Park and King Kong.

Searching for the truth

The search for the giant anaconda was fuelled over 100 years ago when Colonel Percy Fawcett, an early 20th century British explorer, was working in the Amazon on a mission to map parts of the jungle to settle a dispute between rubber producers. Fawcett claimed to have shot an anaconda that was 19 metres (62 feet) from nose to tail. His stories were given little credibility by the scientific community at the time although since then others have suggested that the claims may have been more plausible than first thought.

The biggest challenge to measuring an anaconda is its fondness for remaining at least partially in the water. This makes the task of verifying its full length a difficult one and few people will be happy to jump into the river with a tape measure alongside such a dangerous creature.

Another issue is the ease with which the skin of a dead snake can be stretched, leading to claims of giant snakes that are supported only by a photograph of the snake skin. It is not surprising therefore that the scientific community insists on live capture of an anaconda in order to verify its size; not a small demand considering that the weight of such a giant snake, should it indeed exist, is likely to be close to 2000 lbs.

Eyes on the prize

So why the fascination with finding the elusive giant anaconda? As so often is the case it boils down to money and prestige. The World Conservation Society has put up a prize for the live capture of a snake over 9 metres (30 feet) in length. The prize money currently stands at $50,000 and has never been successfully claimed despite the many alleged sightings.

A stay in hotels in Manaus or even a journey into the jungle is unlikely to reveal any giant snakes. If, however, you have your eye on the $50,000 prize and a lifetime of fame, it may be wise to bring a suitable sized snake container: something about the size of a small house should be sufficient.

Photo | lana.japan

Tunisia’s Ancient Glory: The Ruins of Mighty Carthage

enero 18th, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in Snapshots - (0 Comments)

Chances are you’ve heard of Hannibal, and maybe even that he and his army tried to invade Italy by crossing the Alps with elephants. The city-state he fought for, Carthage, was classical Rome’s biggest rival in the Mediterranean, and one of the big kahunas of the entire ancient world. Even if you’re coming to Tunisia mainly for a warm beach vacation, you owe it to yourself to not miss this important UNESCO World Heritage Site (especially if you’re staying in Hammamet, less than an hour’s drive away).

Just across the bay from the modern capital Tunis, “Kart-hadasht” was founded even earlier than Rome, in the 8th or 9th century BC, as a colony of Phoenicians from farther east along the Mediterranean coast, under a queen that history most commonly knows by her Greek name Dido; eventually the city became a commerce-oriented republic rich and powerful enough to rule over hundreds of other Phoenician (aka Punic) cities along the coast, as well as coastal areas of what are now Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Spain. But its rivalry with Rome led to what are called the Punic wars, and Rome finally defeated, invaded, and refounded Carthage in 146 BC. It was later overrun by the Vandals, then became part of the Byzantine Empire until it was conquered by Arabs in 698 AD. So the ruins you’ll find here today include various and sundry cultural and historical influences.

The sprawling and utterly fascinating modern-day archaeological site includes ports, an acropolis, necropoles (cemeteries), an amphitheater, temples, baths, residential areas, early Christian churches, Islamic mosques, and more (there are also several nearby archaeology, oceanography, and history museums). There’s a lot of ground to cover, so bring a hat, water, sunscreen, and good walking shoes!

Photo | Unitopia

, , , , , , , , , , , , ,