My 3 Best Kept Travel Secrets

I was tagged to do this post by Steph at 20something travel. She was tapped by Shannon at A Little Adrift and Gray, who writes Solo Friendly. They all have great material. Since I include food and drink as one of my items, this seemed appropriate for the Food Friday post! This was started by Tripbase as a way to get travel bloggers to really bring out travel knowledge that they keep close to them. Anyone can advise on what there is to see at Westminster Abbey or the Tower of London, but it’s those hidden treasures that really are truly fascinating.

1. Provencia de Jaen, Andalucia, Spain – Nestled conveniently close to the Andalusian triad, Seville, Granada, and Cordoba, Jaen is the province of the olive groves. It’s a country of endless rolling landscapes with olive trees producing one of Spain’s most famous crops. The smaller cities and towns provide a real “Spain” experience. When I was working for an international non-profit, I had the good fortune to live in the town of Úbeda, right near Linares. The people were so welcoming, and the cuisine was simply spectacular. And of course, the tradition in Jaen is that when purchasing a beer in a tavern, the tapas are free, and usually randomly chosen by the bar. I was lucky enough to have Serrano Ham, Manchego Cheese, olives, and the specialty of the area, small snails that come in a shot-glass of snail juice. When one is finished with the delectable snails, the true Jaen-er drinks the snail juice. The area is also known for its national parks, as well as mountainous regions and their rugged beauty. Not exactly the flamenco dancing, sangria drinking bull-fighting image most people have of Spain, but wonderful.

The main church in Ubeda. Privately owned!
photo credit: fusky

Olive Groves
photo credit: tedbassman

Ah, beverage.
photo credit: tedbassman

2. Cuban Food in Miami, FL – While this topic itself isn’t a huge secret, its the specific places that I’ve come to appreciate over the years. Every summer, my family would drive (!!) down to Miami. That was as close as they could get back to their native Cuba. The main attraction was the food. Eating in different restaurants, trying the best Cuban food South Florida had to offer. Versailles (3555 Southwest 8th Street Miami, FL) is probably the most well know, but with good reason. It’s the epicenter of Cuban-American culture in the United States, and surprisingly well priced. 3 Guys From Miami does a great post on the restaurant, its history, and the amazing cuisine (which is surprisingly inexpensive). Lesser known, but equally good (and sometimes better) is La Habana Vieja (3622 Coral Way Miami, FL). The restaurant is a little gaudy, but the food is out of this world. For my personal recommendation? The Ropa Vieja, with a side of black beans and fried plantains. It’s the best you’ll get outside Havana. There’s a bartender named Juan Juaristi. Ask him about Jai Alai.

photo credit: Brisan

photo credit: noway

Fried plantains. Nothing better.
photo credit: the queen of subtle

Ropa Vieja
photo credit: are you gonna eat that

3. Postman’s Park, London, GB – This is one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen in my travels, and even though it’s little known and I consider it a secret, I am happy to let many people in on it, because it should be seen. Located just up the street from St. Paul’s, lies a park that was a former burial ground for the city of London, and as such, is elevated above the street level. Named Postman’s Park because it was the former location of the General Post Office, the park is the location of the Monument to Heroic Self-Sacrifice. The designer of the park decided to honour those that had given their lives to save others, but would otherwise have been forgotten in history. There are over a hundred tiles like the ones below, the latest added in 2007.

photo credit: roystonford

photo credit: *****\MOXXO//*****

Since Steph was kind enough to tag me, I’m letting a couple other folks get in on the act:

Adam, Boston graphic designer and RTW traveller who pens TravelsofAdam.

Elizabeth, a Fullbrighter studying food culture in Singapore, who you can read at Go With the Ebb.

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(Title Photo: mag3737)