Author: Sagan Pope

Best neighborhoods in Santiago, Chile

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  Chile’s long, skinny profile – with an extensive coastline and an interior hugged by the Andes – is home to just over 18 million people with over 6.5 million residing in the greater Santiago area. The capital is divided into 32 different districts, each consisting of different barrios, or neighborhoods, each with their own character and story. A few local favorites include some of the more popular areas such as Bellavista, Bellas Artes, and some new up-and-coming neighborhoods such as Barrios Brasil y Yungai. Bellavista  How to arrive – Metros: Lines 1 and 5: Baquedano What to do – A neighborhood that’s full of history, charm, and vibrant colors is the perfect place to spend an afternoon wandering around looking at the beautiful street art, taking in the sabores (flavors) of international cuisine, and strolling through galleries, theaters, and shops. Known since the 1970’s as the capitals bohemian barrio -it’s no surprise that famous Chilean poet Pablo Neruda made this neighborhood his home. You can visit La Chascona – a museum dedicated to Neruda’s life and work from Tuesday to Sundays. Looking …

Paris Snapshots

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I’ve now been to Paris twice. My first experience wasn’t my favorite – the city of lights didn’t win me over, it didn’t impress me with its history nor its beautiful architecture. It was just another capital city filled with tourist traps and hidden gems if you looked hard enough. Just like every other city. And while the first time was nice with the people I was with, when I left, I didn’t feel like I’d ever go back. Until we made plans for July. With my two best friends living in Brussels and a small French town in the middle of nowhere, and me in Madrid, Paris was a comfortable place for us all to meet for a cheeky five day reunion. We made the plans, rented our Airbnb, and all arrived on July 1st. And while the city itself still hasn’t captured my heart, this second experience with these two had definitely left me with more fond memories to carry with me for my lifetime. We mostly stayed in our apartment, sipping on …

5 Day Trips from San Francisco

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While we love San Francisco and all its quirky neighborhoods and people, what we love more at Native of the North are those day trip adventures that take you into nature. The city itself isn’t very large, yet with the constant flow of tourism and a bustling city center, sometimes it feels a little congested. When it comes down to it, sometimes it’s just better to grab your friends, pack the car, and take to the road! We share our favorite five day trips from San Francisco. Pacifica Just two miles south of San Francisco, Pacifica is mostly known by beginner surfers and those looking for some fun, laid back waves. Mori Point boasts views of the vast Pacific Ocean along with the seemingly never-ending rolling, green hills and well-groomed paths hugging the coast. It’s best to pack a picnic and choose a spot with a view high above the town. But if you’re looking for a bite to eat, head towards the Pier in Sharp Park along Palmetto Avenue for your choice of French to …

Best Natural Parks close to Marbella, Spain

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A holiday isn’t always sipping cocktails on a rooftop terrace or soaking up the sun on white sandy beaches. For some, it’s seeking out adventure, it’s cycling through the most beautiful landscapes, or it’s working on an olive farm while experiencing the culture. For me, it’s being in nature hiking through the most beautiful natural parks the world over, which is why I sought out the best hiking near Marbella. Parque Natural Los Alcornocales Stretching 170,000 hectares and into 17 Andalusian municipalities, Los Alcornocales is known for its history, caves, and cork oak trees. Travelers can take part in eco-tours to learn about the harvesting and processing of cork, or simply delve into the natural surroundings. Explore caves, disconnect while wandering through the heavily wooded trails, relax next to babbling brooks, and, if you’re lucky, observe the wildlife that call the park home. Torcal de Antequera One of the most impressive Karst landscapes in all of Europe, the rock formations at Torcal de Antequera are not to miss if you’re in Andalusia. The Jurassic-age limestone …

Madrid Snapshots

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One of my favorite spots in Madrid,  along the beautifully manicured riverside park, the Matadero is a set of old slaughter-house buildings given new life. The Matadero is home to cultural events, food truck markets, and a daily slew of locals passing by to have a drink at the Cantina or simply hangout around the grounds. It’s a gorgeous space in the middle of a bustling, cosmopolitan city that makes you feel like you’ve escaped – even just for a minute. I feel connected to nature, to a smaller Spanish culture, and the simply beauty of the moment especially when the sun just starts to go down and highlights those gorgeous buildings just right.

From the Water to Air – Adventures on Grand Cayman Island

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It’s easy to get wrapped up in the resort life, spending long days on the beautiful, white-sand beaches, sipping on cocktails at bars with unforgettable sea views, or rejuvenating yourself at the hotel’s on-site spa as the sun sets and soft sherbet colored skies float overhead. However, the Cayman Islands are full of activities for the adrenaline seekers to fashion lovers, and on the biggest of the three islands, Grand Cayman has it all. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite things to do and hope they can help you make your Caribbean adventure the most memorable holiday yet. Water Adventures From diving and exploring a ship wreck to spending the day at sea on a catamaran cruise, find your perfect water-based adventure on the island. Choose between various diving expeditions, visiting the reefs, walls, or putting fears to the test with night-diving. Head out off the coast for a day of deep-sea fishing and bring the catch home to eat! Don’t want to get wet? Check out the Atlantis Under Water Adventure, taking riders …

Hipmunk City Love: The Hottest Boutique Hotels in Vancouver

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A city where the mountains act as a backdrop and the ocean kisses the downtown shore line, Vancouver, British Columbia, is a dream city come to life. The West Coast capital is full of trendy places to stay, tasty restaurants home to world-class chefs, music venues galore, and nature escapes just outside the city limits. So whether it’s a Canucks hockey game or simply a love for traveling that brings you to the city, you can find the perfect boutique hotel in Vancouver. L’Hermitage Hotel If you’re looking for a place to stay with a feeling of home, look no further than the L’Hermitage Hotel. Located on the fifth, sixth, and seventh floors of a residential building in the heart of Vancouver, guests will experience all the perks of home while visiting the beautiful West Coast city. L’Hermitage Hotel has free bicycles for exploring the bike-friendly downtown area, as well as a private rooftop heated saltwater lap pool and Jacuzzi. All the rooms – from the “Petite” Boutique Room to the Two-Bedroom Signature Suite, guests can …

Hipmunk City Love: The Parisian Dream, Hotels Close to the Eiffel Tower

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The city of lights, romance, and beautifully dressed Parisians – and French bread, and French cheeses, well, you get the point. While Paris, France, is much more than the stereotypes we’ve fallen in love with from the films (or personal experiences) we love to revel in them all. From boutique shopping on Rue des Francs-Bourgeois in the chic Marais neighborhood to the hidden, lesser known museums such as the Musée Marmottan and the Musée Rodin, experience the real Paris that tourists don’t often see. However, staying at a hotel close to the Eiffel Tower (some even having views) is must when visiting the city of fashion. Radisson Blu Le Dokhan’s Hotel, Paris Trocadéro Located in a beautiful, Parisian style building, the Radisson Blu Le Dokhan’s Hotel is a charmingly elegant hotel with perfectly decorated rooms. The hotel houses a Champagne bar featuring over 70 variations of the sophisticated drink. There are views of the Eiffel Tower from the hotel’s most sought after suite. Hotel Maison FL Paris Across the way from the Eiffel Tower, the Hotel Maison FL …

Hipmunk City Love: Hotels Near the Duomo, Milan

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The city of fashion, beautiful architecture, and gorgeous men and women, Milan, Italy, is on the not-to-miss list of cities when visiting the land of pizza, pasta, and coffee. But whatever brings you to the fashion capital of the world, it can be topped off by staying at some of the best hotels the city has to offer. And there’s nothing better than a hotel with a view of Duomo, Milan’s cathedral dating back to 1387, when construction began. Explore the cathedral and all its activities, take a guided tour to learn the interestinghistory of the Duomo, or simply bask in the greatness of the fifth-largest Christian church in the world. UNA Maison Milano A modern gem in the middle of the central historic district of Milan, UNA Maison Milano is a superb hotel choice if you’re looking to be close to the Duomo. It’s just around the corner from the famous cathedral, and guests are treated like royalty. Expect exceptional service, uniquely designed guest rooms, and a multilingual staff to help make your stay all …

Hipmunk City Love: How to do Chicago on a Budget

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As always, planning ahead can help you make the most of your visit to any city — even your own! Check for a monthly breakdown of ”what to do in Chicago” in order to have a better idea of what’s going on while you’re in town. Of course, letting things happen spontaneously can always make for some fantastically memorable stories — but why not at least know where all the free stuff is, just in case? Museums Take advantage of the tons of museums in Chicago and see if your travel dates match up with any of their free-admission days, which change every month. There are some museums that have a weekly date which is always free, such as the Loyola Museum of Modern Art, although some allow only residents of Illinois to take advantage of their free-admission policies. Some museums, such as Adler Planetarium, the first planetarium in the United States, also have special-admission passes. Attractions There’s a free water display every hour at Buckingham Fountain from mid-April to mid-October. In the evening, the fountain show features a light-and-music spectacle …