heydipyourtoesin

Previous experience from visiting medinas in other North African cities like Marrakech had prepared us to expect attention from market hustlers. Tunis was no different. A firm, "No! Thank You" and avoiding eye-contact usually works. But be prepared for some persistent sellers. Still, a wander through the souks is a must-do activity. There are some good bargains to be found for the savvy shopper though.

The carpet shop also had this magnificent four-poster bed. The shop keeper claimed it had historical significance and belonged to ancient Tunisian royalty. We couldn't prove his claim but the bed was stunning, to say the least.

As with most souks in North Africa, visitors must be prepared for aggressive sales tactics. During our visit to Tunis however, it was worth visiting a government-approved carpet shop. We didn't buy any carpets but the shop turned out to have a remarkable mosaic themed rooftop terrace which provided excellent views of the old city. We bought some earrings as a 'thank you' to the owner.

The Medina of Tunis is an intense cultural immersion into dars (similar to Moroccan riads), souks, colours, scents and tradition.

Deep dish or thin crust? What's your pizza preference. We'll throw in one last thought about Chicago before we move on from this theme. This is the city that prides itself on having the best deep dish pizza in the USA. We haven't visited every city in the USA to verify these claims. However, we know that every time we visit, Chicago's deep dish pizza never disappoiints! For foodies who love to travel, visit Chicago

Sticking with our recent Chicago posts, this city's architecture never fails to amaze us. There's just something special about Chicago! Someone we know described the city's vibe as bold, expressive and unashamed. We see these attributes on display every time we visit... #mychicagopix #choosechicago #chicagotourism #artofchi #360chicago

Many great cities evolved around their major rivers and Chicago is no different. We love the city's annual tradition of dyeing the Chicago River green to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. DId you know that this practice dates back over 50 years? River boat tours are a popular way to see the architecture along the trisected branches of the Chicago River and to learn the stories behind famous buildings.

While riverboat and walking tours remain popular ways to experience downtown Chicago’s iconic skyline, an aerial perspective of the city (especially at sunset) is a breathtaking experience and totally worth trying.

Zanzi Resort, Zanzibar: Typically we favour a more active travel style. However, we were grateful for the reclusiveness which this property offered, allowing us to switch off for a few days without worrying about the minutiae of travel. We connected with Zanzi Resort’s main mission of being a year-round relaxing luxury retreat. This photo shows their sea-view massage parlour featuring Japanese inspired Ganbanyoku hot stone spa treatments. Just the perfect dose of "pole pole" (calmness)...

We miss Zanzibar! This image from our balcony at Zanzibar Serena Hotel, Stone Town, evokes nostalgia. The entire hotel is beautifully restored and retains its historic charm. We enjoyed a very spacious wrap-around balcony with views in multiple directions. On one side we gazed upon the rooftops of Stone Town. On the other side, we watched palm trees dancing in the wind to the sound of their own music. Below us, the beach and endless ocean. We can't wait to go back!

Our room at Kurumba offered us a bed big enough to sleep three people, a lounge area, a Jacuzzi, a private coffee and wine bar, a private dipping pool and indoor and outdoor showers (all within a walled enclosure guaranteeing privacy). Surrounded by coconut trees and ferns, there was nothing to disturb our privacy except the stars in the sky.

Although Kurumba Maldives is close enough to Male (the capital island in the Maldives) to see passing marine traffic, the resort was still far enough from commercial activity; enough to give us our desired sense of isolation and tranquillity.

The Maldives is everything we imagined and more; pristine natural beauty, luxurious hospitality and immaculate service. For our visit, we chose Kurumba Maldives resort, located in the North Male Atoll.

On a recent visit to San Diego, we wanted a hotel with close proximity to iconic foodie locations and one that posessed enough character to leave an indelible impression of the city on us. Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, located downtown and right on the edge of the Gaslamp Quarter turned out to be the ideal fit. A highlight of our experience was the offer of a portable record player and a choice of vinyl classics which we enjoyed in our room. Music, Hard Rock and San Diego combine quite naturally!