Have you ever vacationed in a city where you can walk through enormous and clean gardens, submerge in its culture and history, and enjoy its well-known quality of life?

You can find this and more in Malmo, Sweden, one of the most sustainable cities in the world.

Located in the southern province of Scania, Malmo is the third largest city in Sweden. It doesn’t get more cosmopolitan than a population of 300,000 with residents representing 150 different nationalities.

Take me Down to the Paradise City Where the Grass is Green…

Malmo is known in Sweden as the “City of Parks” due to its multiple and extensive green areas. Even the locals warn you that visiting all the city parks could take a full week!

Two of the most famous parks to visit are the Kunsparken and the Slottsparken.

Over 130 years old, the Kungsparken is located in the heart of the city and it is the most popular in Malmo.

In these colorful, English-style gardens, you can find a variety of exotic trees, modern art sculptures, and beautiful lakes with ducks swimming in crystal-clear waters.

You truly understand the Swedish quality of life when, on a warm summer evening, you see the locals relaxing in the parks, enjoying the sun, reading underneath a tree, walking babies in strollers, exercising, and simply loving life. How can you not love Sweden?

Be There or Be…

In addition to beautiful parks, the center of Malmo is dotted with picturesque squares surrounded by historical buildings, shopping centers, and elegant restaurants. Walking the scenic brick roads just adds to the charm of this Scandinavian jewel.

The Stortorget (Main Square) has an equestrian statue in honor of King Karl X Gustav, who liberated Scania from the Danish. Buildings surrounding the square have been witness to Malmo’s history since the 16^th Century!

The majestic Town Hall is a site you don’t want to miss (see photo).

A few steps away you can find the charming Lilla Torg (Little Square). This historical square has an old-town feel and you can find great coffee shops, restaurants, as well as popular pubs.

Two other popular squares not to miss are Gustav Adolf Torg (for its colorful flower markets) and Möllevången, great for its shopping centers and nightlife.

A block away from Stortorget (located behind the Town Hall) is the oldest building in Malmo, the gothic-style Church of Saint Peter, built in the 14 century.

Another place history lovers will not want to miss is Koggmuseet, a history museum about ships that houses two medieval cogs (sailing vessels).

These boats sailed commercial routes in the Baltic Sea during the 15 century, but their structural design is quite unique; they have a single mast in the center with only one sail.

Sustainable Example

The famous district of Västra Hamnen (West Harbour) is one of the most modern and sustainable residential developments in the world.

Malmo’s government provides this area with renewable energy, recycling, and green transportation. Concrete and asphalt areas were reduced by replacing them with grass, green roofs, and bio-diversity.

And it is precisely here, in this city of tomorrow, that you can find the most representative and picturesque symbol of Malmo: the Turning Torso (see photo), the tallest residential building in Scandinavia, designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava.

Other activities

With almost 2 miles of coastline, Ribersborg Beach is a popular spot for Swedes and a great place to go for a walk. You can also visit the Malmöhus castle or take a guided boat ride through the different city channels.

Where can you enjoy fine wines?

A centrally located place to enjoy great wines (and dinner) is Sankt Markus Wine Cellar. They have a huge selection of European wines and very experienced sommeliers. It’s right in the heart of Malmo very close to Gustav Adolf Square, on the corner of Stadt Hamburgsgatan and Malmborgsgatan (each probably worth a thousand points in Scrabble!).

Getting There

The fastest way to get to Malmo is actually flying to Copenhagen, Denmark, and then taking either a car or train across the Öresund Bridge, the longest of its type in Europe. The train ride from Copenhagen Airport to Malmo’s Central Station is about 40 minutes.

Weather

And don’t forget the weather in Malmo is more pleasant during the months of April to September.

The Saddle Mountain (or Cerro de la Silla) is the landmark of Monterrey

Monterrey, Mexico is one of the most ignored touristic destinations South of the Border. Grab any Mexico travel guide book and you’ll be lucky if you see more than half a page dedicated to Monterrey.

While it might not offer a beach paradise like Cancun, Monterrey’s tourism industry is growing due to its world-class art museums, fine restaurants, colorful shopping centers, and plenty of other things to do.

When it comes to outdoor activities, there are numerous  options for biking, mountain hiking, cave exploration, and some of the best rock-climbing sites in the country.

When you visit San Diego, it’s highly likely the weather will be gorgeous. However, the winter months can be notorious for rainy days, so here are a few activities to keep you busy and dry in the event that it does rain during your trip.

Ice Skate. This is a fun and family-oriented activity which will keep everyone out of the rain. There’s an ice skating rink located inside the UTC shopping mall food court. Visit the Ice Town website for public skating hours and prices. Admission starts at $13 for adults and $5 for young children. Perfect for families or those who want a little exercise on a rainy day.

Enjoy a drink at the Top of the Hyatt. While the Top of the Hyatt (a bar located at the top of the Hyatt Hotel tower in downtown) is typically reserved for drop-dead gorgeous sunsets, it can also be a great location to watch the clouds roll in and the rain fall on San Diego. Ideal for couples, small groups of friends, 21+.

Balboa Park Museums. Grab your umbrella, find a close parking spot, and make a dash for the nearest Balboa Park Museum. Forget walking through the park on a rainy day, so be sure to enjoy the many museums located in the park. There’s something for everyone: Natural History Museum, Air & Space Museum, Hall of Champions Sports Museum, and the Museum of Photographic Arts among many others. Visit the Balboa Park website for a full listing, operating hours, and admission prices. Ideal for people of all ages and those seeking inspiration or an educational activity.

Birch Aquarium. Although this aquarium does have a few open areas, there is enough indoor undersea life to keep the little ones out of the rain and occupied for a couple of hours. Visit the website for more information. Perfect for families with small children.

Independent Films. A couple of movie theaters in San Diego offer a great selection of foreign films. La Paloma in Encinitas, Ken Cinemas in Kensington, Hillcrest Cinemas close to downtown, and La Jolla Village Cinemas. Great for people who don’t want to see another ‘ordinary’ Hollywood flick.

For more ideas on money-saving family activities in San Diego as well as a list of the latest bargains and events, visit San Diego Bargain Mama online when planning your trip.

Thanks to Safety Center, Concerro, Balboa Park, Birch Aquarium, and igougo for the photos!

I took this picture on January 7, 2006 when the City of Tampa, Florida had a fascinating artistic event called Lights on Tampa. All around downtown you could admire different art expressions through the use of light.

In the example above, The University of Tampa‘s main building was the canvas for Argentinian artist Jorge Orta, known around the world for his very colorful large-scale image projections. He has also done similar installations in famous sites such as the Pompidou Centre in Paris, Machu Picchu citadel in Peru, Cappadocia in Turkey, and the Zócalo in Mexico City, among others.

It is argued that the best red wines in France come from Bordeaux. But where can you find the best white wines in France?

Although there are plenty of regions that produce great white wines, most French wine connoisseurs will point the way to Alsace.

Located in the eastern part of France, Alsace has produced white wines since the end of the first millennium. Talk about experience!

The only interruption of wine making in Alsace happened because of the Thirty Years’ War in 1618 which devastated the region.

But the Wine Gods would not leave Alsace in such misery!

Fortunately for wine lovers, local winemakers revived the production of high quality wines at the end of World War I using exclusively Alsatian grapes. The results have been amazing!

Village of Ribeauvillé, Alsace

Today you can find wines from Alsace all over the world. The tall and slim Alsatian flute bottle makes it easy to identify wines from this region in shops.

Now, before I explain each of the seven grape varieties, you should know that Alsatian wines are consumed young since they don’t require a lot of fermentation time in barrels to reveal their splendid character. Typically, the aging process goes from six months to five years.

Without further ado, here are descriptions of the seven grape varieties along with food pairing suggestions.

Sylvaner – This is a very refreshing, light bodied wine with a sweet delicate touch. It is great to enjoy with seafood and cold cuts.

Pinot Blanc – This is an all-purpose wine with a very smooth taste. This is one of the most representative wines in Alsace and you can’t go wrong pairing it with fish and other traditional seafood plates.

A Perfect Pairing: Riesling and Choucroute

Riesling – This is the most celebrated of all the white wines in Alsace. It’s dry but refined and delicately fruity with an elegant bouquet. The excellence of this wine is unbeatable when pairing it with most seafood dishes and, of course, with choucroute, the traditional Alsatian dish.

Muscat D’ Alsace – Don’t think this is your typical sweet Muscat! This one is dry, but very aromatic and delightfully grapey. Its goes perfect with appetizers, vegetarian dishes, asparagus, and pastas.

Pinot Gris – This is a rich, full bodied wine with a lingering finish. It exhibits aromas that are slightly woody as well as smoky. If you are having foie gras or poultry dishes, look no further, this is the perfect wine.

Pinot Noir – In Alsace, the Pinot Noir grape not only produces an outstanding red wine, but also a fruity rosé with hints of cherries. It pairs great with game, red meat & barbecues, as well as with strong goat cheeses or gruyere.

Gewurztraminer – You can call this an all-terrain wine. Its character is full- bodied with exotic fruity aromas. Contrary to other Gewurztraminers, the Alsatian counterpart tends to be a bit on the dry side. It is a very flexible wine when it comes to pairings and goes well with appetizers, exotic international dishes, strong cheeses and desserts.

Bonus Wine

Alsace also produces a high quality sparkling wine similar to champagne. The Cremant D’ Alsace is a terrific option to celebrate those special moments in life. You can find it white and rosé. Try them both!

Boat Ride in Colmar, Alsace