As January winds to a close and slips away into the past, have you found yourself losing steam on your New Year’s resolutions (which, I’m guessing, might have included something along the lines of “lose weight, live healthier, get in shape”)?

If you find yourself needing a little inspiration to push yourself to turn those goals into reality, think about turning your love of travel and good wine into a bribe.  How, you might ask?

Expand travel plus wine to travel plus run plus wine. Depending on your fitness level, look for a 5K, 10K, half marathon or even a full marathon in a city you want to visit, book your tickets and start training!

The training will force you to get in shape, and many cities offer run clubs which make the effort fun and social.

Running a race course through a new city is not only exhilarating and a great way to get an eyeful of the city, but also a perfect excuse to travel.  And when you’ve finished the race, reward yourself with a visit to the best wine bar in the city … or best Italian restaurant to enjoy a cozy dinner for two accompanied by a wonderful bottle of Chianti … or whatever particular bribe works best for you!

This article was inspired by the Miami ING Half and Full Marathon and 5K, which happens every last weekend in January, in case you want to mark your calendar for 2013.

The scenic course starts in downtown Miami, crosses over the Macarthur Causeway to South Beach, takes you a few miles down the beach and then back to downtown.

This year, the weather was perfect and the runners and crowds were vibrant as ever.

Some enticing races coming up that may inspire you:

• Another one in Miami: the 13.1 Miami Beach Half-Marathon and 5K: March 4 (with beachside dancing bash afterwards)
• Georgia Marathon and Half Marathon (Atlanta; 6^th Annual): March 18
• New York: 13.1 Half Marathon and 5K: March 24
• Boulder, CO: BolderBoulder 10K: May 28 (Recently named America’s All Time Best 10K by Runner’s World magazine)
• WIPRO San Fransisco Marathon: July 29^th (For those who really want a challenge – hills, hills and more hills.)
• Chicago Half Marathon and 5K (16^th Annual): September 9.  (Perfect time of the year to visit the Windy City!)

And of course, there are thousands of other options out there, all over the globe!

Arguably, Bogota’s best attribute is its expansive selection of unexpectedly enchanting dining establishments.  Others may argue that other characteristics deserve that title … its charming people, its wide variety of delicious subtropical fruits, its coffee shops, the prominent mountains that form a distant wall around the city … but in my humble opinion, the restaurants are the hands down winner.

Below are a few options in Colombia’s capital city waiting to delight your senses.

BREAKFAST

To start the day off on the right foot, visit Abasto in Usaquén district for an amazing weekend brunch.  (Preferably on a Sunday; Saturdays are usually quite packed, as this place is not exactly a well-kept secret.)  You’ll be charmed the moment you walk in the door, by the cozy Colombian country-style décor, the tempting baked goods placed strategically near the entrance to keep starvation at bay should a table not be immediately available, and the decadent scents wafting from the kitchen, which can immediately be glimpsed through a large open window by the entry.  You may see bakers preparing the thickest pancakes you’ve ever seen in your life, or arepas crowned with any number of toppings, or waiters may be bringing out trays of freshly squeezed juice or steaming coffee.

Abasto is furnished with an eclectic mix of wooden tables – as far as I could tell, no two are the same.  My favorite is the big wooden table in the back room, where you’ll be surrounded by baskets of fruits and vegetables and shelves of wine, journals, salt and pepper shakers, jars of dates and other such items available for purchase.  Once you’re seated, you’ll be faced with the difficult decision of what to order.  You can’t go wrong with anything, really – all of Abasto’s dishes are prepared with fresh, natural, locally sourced ingredients and are without exception mouthwateringly delicious – but my personal recommendation is a glass of granadilla juice, fruit salad, huevos rancheros, and if you’re really hungry, accompany all of that with a cheese-topped arepa or one of the raspberry crumbles sitting enticingly on the counter.  Then, wash it all down with locally-sourced coffee, or a beautiful aromatica (similar to a tea, but prepared with dried fruits rather than tea leaves.)

To walk off some of those calories, take a stroll afterward through the neighborhood before heading off to your next destination.

LUNCH

If your appetite returns in time for lunch, head to Restaurante Casa at Carrera 13 # 85-24 for a fresh and delicious Mediterrean meal.  This is a very pretty part of town, on a street lined with other restaurants and a few classy bars.  If it’s a nice day, you can eat outside in the small back courtyard, under leafy oak trees.  If it’s not a nice day, and you’re lucky, you’ll get the table inside next to the fireplace.

The juices here are too good to miss, and as beautifully presented as any cocktail.  Try the maracuya con menta (passionfruit with mint.)  Unusual combination, but it works.  If you like seafood, the grouper and avocado appetizer doubles very well as a light meal, or if you’re hungrier, the sea bass with quinoa will delight your tastebuds and fill your belly.  If that’s not enough, the French fries here are also sublime.  And you should save room for at least a bite of the apple crumble with vanilla ice cream – although I bet you won’t be able to have just one bite.

Another lunch option, if you are really hungry and in the mood for traditional Colombian dishes, is Club Colombia.  Like Casa, it was formerly a house, and this restaurant still exudes the serene feeling of a stately older home, with its polished wooden floors, wide staircase and fireplaces.  The impeccably dressed waiters seem to have stepped out of a time gone past.

Portions here are generous: a cup of ajiaco or sancocho with a side of empanadas is likely to fill you up.

DINNER

For dinner, if you happen to be craving sushi or seafood, take a cab to Sushi Gozen.  They have the best seaweed salad I’ve had in a long time, consistently fresh, well-prepared sushi and a magnificent seafood and rice platter.

For a unique beverage, try the Umeshu, a Japanese liquor with an unusual taste: complex and slightly sweet.  The wine list offers plenty of options to please the palate, or choose a perfectly shaken caipirinha.

You can also find a very nice wine list and exquisite seafood – or meat – or vegetarian options – at Matiz, the perfect choice for a quiet, elegant meal.  It could be romantic, but it doesn’t have to be.

THE AFTER PARTY

Finish the night by dancing off some of those calories at Andres. (Conveniently located downtown, it’s a smaller version of the original Andres in Chia … smaller, but just as much fun!)  Along with live music and a fun-loving crowd, Andres has an enormous menu of scrumptious beers, cocktails, appetizers and full meals.  The lulada is an irresistible concoction including aguardiente and lulo juice, guaranteed to put you in the mood to dance the night away! 

The only time stepping inside a building has ever caused my jaw to literally drop in awe was the first time I walked through the doors of the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.

There are many spectacular buildings in the world, but this Byzantine structure’s blend of sheer size, regal beauty and intricate detail has a unique impact.

My first interior view of the Hagia Sophia (or, Aya Sofya as it is written in Turkish) is of the statuesque entrance hall, whose ornate golden walls and towering arched ceilings are covered entirely with geometric-patterned mosaics.

Inside the hall, informative plaques relate the dramatic history of the Hagia Sophia.

Originally built as a Catholic church in the 6^th century AD under orders of Justinian the Great, it fell into Muslim control in 1453 when the Ottomans conquered Instanbul (then Constantinople).

Sultan Mehmet II promptly ordered the Byzantine cathedral to be converted into a mosque.  The glittering mosaics on the interior walls depicting Christ, Mary, seraphims and the twelve apostles were covered and overlaid with Muslim symbols and writings of the Koran. Four minarets were added to the exterior.

Centuries later, after Turkey became a secular state, Turkish President Mustafa Kemal Ataturk ordered in 1934 that the mosque be converted into a museum.  The project of uncovering the original Christian mosaics is still underway.

An expansive, bronze-framed doorway leads from the entrance into the main hall of the Hagia Sophia, the sight of which causes my jaw to drop for a second time, more from its size than anything else.

The vast domed interior is dimly lit with light that pours from windows overhead, illuminating the walls, which are covered with a fascinating mix of peeling paint, Christian mosaics and bold Muslim symbols.  A long stone corridor leads to the upper level of the mosque, where the freshly-uncovered mosaics can be seen up close.

Walking distance from the Hagia Sophia, also in Sultanahmet Square, are many other sites that can’t be missed, including Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, and a plethora of carpet shops, bazaars and coffee shops.

Take a taxi to Taksim Square for a glimpse of modern Istanbul: a bustling, brightly lit, seemingly endless stretch of shops, bars, clubs and restaurants.

When planning a trip to Turkey, be sure to leave several days at minimum for Istanbul, because there’s a lot to see in this city.

* Photos courtesy of Sonya Stoa

Puerto Rico … it’s called the Island of Enchantment for a reason.

Make that many reasons.

The number of enchanting places and things to see and experience on this mountainous 3500 square mile island is practically endless, but here are a few of the best.

If you’re staying in Condado (and if you are, the Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino is a good place to stay, right on the beach with excellent restaurants and shops within walking distance), a little jewel of a bar/restaurant called Jam Rum Bar & Bistro Moderne is a fun place to stop for a drink.

It’s a few blocks of a walk down from the Marriott – the cross street is Manuel Rodriguez Serra.

Your senses will be charmed by the comfortable yet elegant old-world exterior, and brightened by the funky yet tasteful decor of its interior.

Order the Acerola Rum Iced Tea to start and your tastebuds will turn somersaults in delight. It’s the perfect combination of sweet, sour and … rum!

The staff is laid back and friendly.

Their menu looks tempting, but I only tried the Tiramisu, which was small but rich, and satisfied my sweet tooth nicely.

Historical Old San Juan…

About a ten minute drive from the Marriott, you’ll find historical Old San Juan.  The streets of Viejo San Juan are lined with brightly colored establishments bursting with character and individuality: restaurants, coffee shops, art galleries, clothing stores, jewelry stores, touristic, artisanal shops and more.

It’s a pleasant experience just to walk the streets, admiring the Spanish Colonial architecture and ornate balconies overflowing with flowers, especially on a sunny day when it’s not too hot and ocean breezes waft through the streets.

In Old San Juan you’ll also find a national historic site comprised of 4 fortifications constructed over a 250-year period, beginning in the 16^th century.  La Fortaleza is the oldest and most well-known of the four.  Open for guided tours, it is also the official residence of the governor of Puerto Rico.

My favorite daytime stopping point in Old San Juan is the coffee shop Caficultura (Calle San Francisco, 401, San Juan.)

Housed in the corner of a lovely pastel-blue building where Fortaleza and San Francisco streets intersect, its tall, wood-framed glass windows, high ceilings and the feel of old world charm blended with a modern vibe that emanates from the cyber-savvy patrons surfing the internet while sipping iced café con leche give the impression that it’s a classic Old San Juan staple.

That’s not the case actually: Caficultura has only been open since April 2009, but I predict it will be around for many years to come.

The iced café con leche served here is perfect – strong, refreshing, great earthy coffee flavor.  The menu also offers a wide variety of coffee choices, including a few liquor-enhanced options, along with fresh juices, beer and wine.

Their light food menu includes sandwiches, salads and dessert pastries.  Try the Chicken Breast Tower with avocado, pico de gallo and sour cream.  It’s served with tostones and it’s wonderful.

By night, don’t miss Nono’s Bar & Restaurant in Old San Juan, where the best mojitos on the island can be found.

Sip one at the bar under the serene gaze of a bull’s head, mounted above the bar, then move upstairs to shoot a game of pool, look out the balcony at passersby meandering down the cobblestone street below and if you’re lucky, after exchanging a few pleasantries with the man behind the upstairs bar, he may offer you a complimentary shot one of his mysterious but delicious concoctions.

If you have your dancing shoes on, when you leave Nono’s, you won’t have to walk far to find a bar to dance salsa, merengue, or reggaeton.

Cafe La Plage - Beach House Hotel

Once you’re ready to return to the beach, you may want to make your way to Café La Plage (at the Beach House Hotel) in Isla Verde, a beach bar worth visiting just for the view of the white-fabric-draped four-poster beds situated under tall palm trees 50 yards away from the sparkling turquoise Atlantic waters.

The place is about rustic, South Beachy charm so don’t come expecting luxury and you’ll have a great time.

During the day, the music is chill yet upeat and not too loud, the cocktails are cold, the food is good and the staff are pleasant.  During the night, the outdoor bar is equally charming: a very romantic place to go if you have your sweetheart with you.

By the way, as all hidden treasures are, Café La Plage is hard to find – I drove past it about 3 times before I spotted the tiny little sign on the white wall bordering its parking lot.  It’s right across from the Howard Johnson hotel.  (4851 Ave Isla Verde, Carolina 00979)

More of the Outdoors

Looking for ways to experience the Puerto Rico’s natural beauty?

You can’t be bored here … you can go horseback riding on the beach, hiking through El Yunque, snorkeling, paddle surfing, body surfing, regular surfing … but in my opinion, hands down the most spectacular thing you can do is to discover one of the island’s three bioluminescent bays.

Vieques Bay Puerto Rico

In these seemingly magical bays, after nightfall, the water glows when disturbed by movement.

It may look like magic, but the glowing water is really due to tiny bioluminescent microorganisms (called dinoflagellates) in the water.

There are very few places in the world where this phenomenon exists, and Puerto Rico is home to the three brightest.

At Las Croabas in Fajardo, the brightest of all the bays, many tour operators offer kayak expeditions.

Swimming in the bay at Las Croabas is not allowed, to protect the dinoflagellates from potential extinction, since some of them die upon human contact, but at the Vieques bay, you are allowed to swim – an unforgettable experience!

The best time to go is when there is not much light – the smaller the moon, the better.  No moon?  Perfect. Many websites, including Biobay, publish a moon calendar to help you strategically plan your visit.

Another plus (for some travelers) although Puerto Rico feels like another country, you don’t need a passport to get there.  But be forewarned before you go … visiting Puerto Rico may be addictive!

(Photos by: Sonya Stoa. Vieques Bay photo via Concierge.com.)

It’s easy to fall in love with the vibrant Mediterranean port city of Barcelona.  Here are a just a few of the reasons:

1. The Architecture: Barcelona is considered by many to be the world capital of architecture and design, and with good reason.

The extraordinary structures of Antoni Gaudi, Barcelona’s most well-known architect, with their mosaics, bright colors and flowing shapes and curves  will be unlike anything you’ve ever seen, as least as far as 19^th century European architecture goes.

The unfinished Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s most famous work, draws the most visitors, but Casa Milá (La Pedrera), Casa Batlló (see photo) and Parc Guell also deserve a visit.  Parc Guell has no entrance fee, and offers a spectacular view of the city, in addition to the beauty of its own grounds.

Work has continued on the Sagrada Familia for the 25 years since Gaudi’s death, and at least another 25 years of work remains before it will be completed.  Pope Benedict XVI will be visiting the church in November to formally consecrate it.  From then on, masses will be held inside.

Aside from Gaudi’s fanciful creations, the streets of Barcelona hold myriads of classically elegant European buildings.  Their stately presence lends a feel of serene stability to the otherwise lively atmosphere of this cosmopolitan city.

2. Al fresco dining: you have the opportunity to savor a leisurely meal or wine and tapas at comfortable outdoor tables at a multitude of restaurants along Barcelona’s wide, palm-tree lined streets.

3. The wine: If you’re traveling on a budget, you’ll be happy to know that Spanish wine can be found for prices cheaper than bottled water.

This glass of Qu Qu’s red table wine cost 1.5 euros, and the shrimp, mushroom and bacon kebab that accompanied it left my taste buds dancing with pleasure.

You can also take the opportunity to try some local wines – wine production has been an important part of Catalonia’s culture for centuries.

The most well-known fermented beverage native to the region is Cava, the Spanish version of champagne.

4. Paella! Need I say more?  If that doesn’t tell you enough, order some – you’ll see what I mean.

5. The coffee shops: My personal favorite is Il Caffe di Francesco: a little treasure tucked away on a little side street about a block away from Casa Batllo.

High ceilings and brick-walled interiors are the backdrop for a mouthwatering selection of pastries and croissants, and the coffee menu …mmm. The Caffe Italiana (espresso, amaretto, chocolate and whipped cream) is divine.  (Address: Consell  de Cent, 347 08001-Barcelona)

6. Montjuic: the views and the dancing musical water fountain that (literally) leaps into action after nightfall.

7. If you happen to be a soccer – sorry, football – fan, there’s Camp Nou stadium, home of Club Barça.

These are only a few of Barcelona’s many attractions. But the only way to truly understand the irresistible charm of this Spanish city is, of course, to experience it for yourself!

* Photos courtesy of Sonya Stoa