Greece 2016 Trip Report: Day 8 (Crete)

September 30, 2016

Today was spent visiting Elounda in the morning and then Agios Nikolaus in the afternoon. Elounda is just 15 min. north of Agios Nikolaus and full of luxury hotels and resorts. The water here is just as nice as Rhodes but seemed a bit rougher. There's free parking by the beaches around Elounda but just need to look for and follow the signs. Otherwise we saw some lots that charge 3 euros for the day.

Most people do the day trip to Spinalonga, which is an island that housed a former leper colony. Had no Interest to visit it but it's very close by to Plaka Beach in Elounda.

After walking around Plaka Beach, we headed to the center of Elounda for a nice lunch at Lotus Eaters. Owned by a British man and his Romanian wife, the view from the restaurant is fantastic and the food for the most part was good as well.

Not a big fan of octopus but I wanted to try it here so got it. Tasted like chicken! But I hate the look of it so couldn't finish it!! I had the pasta too because I was getting tired of a Greek food.

Afterwards we walked around all over Agios Nikolaus. It is a cute beachy town but not much else to do. The beach in Rhodes was much nicer. Overall it's nice to come here for a slow pace of life but not sure that it's a "must see." However the colors of the water against the backdrop of the barren mountains do relax me from my NYC life!

I will miss vistas like these in the winter

Lastly, had dinner at To Karnagio which was good and our cheapest meal yet!!! Had grilled shrimps (yes...again) with chicken souvlaki and an Asian noodle dish (nice change from Greek food). Also potatoes/fries in Greece are so much more fresh and tastier than in the USA so been eating a lot of that too on this trip! and Greek frappe coffee is delicious!

Greece 2016 Trip Report: Day 7 (Rhodes/Crete)

September 30, 2016

One of the reasons why we spent four nights in Rhodes is because the only flight from Rhodes to Crete was on Thursday. It doesn't fly out before then. So far our experience with Aegean Airlines has been quite nice. Lovely attendants and good snacks on the plane. Also, no issues with delays so far. Our flight to Heraklion in Crete wasn't until 5:45 pm so we had tons of time to kill. We woke up a bit later than usual and then walked around Elli Beach, which is right be where our hotel was located but never had the chance to walk around.

You can stand under my umbrella ella ella ella...

Afterwards we did some browsing at the shops nearby. There's Zara, Mango, H&M and the British chain Mark & Spencers. Didn't buy anything but was a good time killer. Really wanted to have lunch at Tamam (my favorite so far) before we left but they don't open for lunch until 1 pm. So we headed back to Mama Sofia's, where we went when we first arrived and wow do they know service!!

They remebered us and welcomed us back. Even though it's been three days since they saw us, I guess it's easy to remember three Asian women since there were hardly any other Asians around the time we were there. The owner of the place greeted us warmly and took care of us. The food was even better this time around. We had the grilled prawns which were so flavorful and very fresh. Also mussels again, a shrimp salad and this time beef souvlaki. For dessert, instead of little chocolate ice creams we got watermelon and honey dew fruit with delicious ice cream. I don't even know what the flavors were but they were unique and perfect finish to lunch.

We checked out of the hotel at 2 pm and still had time to kill so we drove around and just took more pictures of the beautiful Aegean Sea. I love the sapphire and turquoise colors. It's so pretty I want to drink the sea!

We had a hybrid car but had to fill up the gas for return. For the 2.5 days we used it, we only spent 15 euros on gas. Then we headed to the airport to drop off the car. Rodos Car Rental has a spot near all the car rentals at the airport, in both the parking lot and at the arrivals terminal where you pick up the car. Just park the car in the rental parking lot and drop off the key at the car rental desk at Arrivals.

The flight to Crete was short and sweet. By the time we were handed our refreshment drink, it was time to land. And one way was only $45 USD! We landed at 6:15 pm even though the time said we would land by 6:35 pm. However, by the time we were bussed over from the plane to the terminal and picked up our luggage, it was 6:35. I had read really bad reviews on the Rhodes airport but since we came at the end of high season, things were smooth. Aegean Airlines has been great so far and the check in desk is at desks 7-12 (middle of the terminal). There is no separation for domestic and international flights.

When we landed at Heraklion airport, had to wait for our car rental which I booked for 7 pm pick up. I rented from Dimitris Auto rental Crete based on Trip Advisor recommendations. We got an automatic for 5 days for $190 euro which includes insurance. A rep picked us up and drove us to the lot to get our car and go over the paperwork. The only 'negative' was that she gave us the car with a quarter tank of gas left! So we had to go find a gas station since we had an hour drive to Agios Nikolaus which is where we stayed on our first night in Crete.

GPS with Google Maps is hit or miss. Mostly hits but sometimes it doesn't identify places well (like a non existent gas station in Rhodes or taking us thru private property instead of public). So just really pay attention when driving especially in Crete where the local streets can be so narrow!!! And it's so easy to miss a turn because you won't expect a street to be there. Or you might not be able to turn because it's one way and not two. So best to study directions a bit before going somewhere.

It took us an hour to get to Agios Nikolaus from the airport and we got a bit lost trying to find our accommodations. Stayed at Mantraki Apartments which is owned by the cutest old couple. We were a bit worried because reception closes at 9 pm but we made it in time and the room we have is so adorable with two balconies. It's not fancy but a step up from the last place we stayed at.

We had dinner late nearby at Bel Katsoralakia. Decent food at decent prices. Would recommend. At this point I've memorized the Greek menu. It's all the same offerings I feel like it doesn't matter too much where you go!!!!!

Greece 2016 Trip Report: Day 5 (Rhodes)

September 27, 2016

Today we got out of Rhodes Town and rented a car from Rodos Car. We got a Toyota Hybrid (save on gas!) for $150 for three days. Includes insurance! Anyway the car rep met us at the hotel lobby at 9 am (I made the rsvp online months ago) and explained everything to us. Luckily there's free parking near our hotel so nothing to worry about there.

I read somewhere that Greeks don't really eat breakfast the way Americans do and that seems to be true. We were starving so we went to pick up breakfast at the nearby McDonalds because we wanted something fast and easy. I walked in at 10 am and everything on the boards were burgers. I asked if they had a breakfast menu and she said no, just McToast. So I got three grilled chicken McWraps instead and off to the beach we went.

Drove all the way down to Lindos and luckily found parking off the side of the 95 highway at the very top (just past the supermarket and all the buses at the entrance of town). It was packed by the time we arrived at 11:45. There is beach parking closer but when we walked by I saw how narrow the streets down there are and it was pretty full. So you take a risk going down there if you're arriving at prime time. We ate our wraps in the car (which by the way was actually good!!! Much bigger than the American ones, like double the size, and fresh!) then walked down to the beach. I was afraid the walk would be strenuous but it's really not. If you're remotely fit you can make it. It took us about 15 min to walk down to the beachside and we paid 15 euros for three chairs and umbrellas. Hung out here all afternoon and it was very relaxing. The water is super calm and clear.

The beach in front of Lindos town and below the Acropolis

Afterwards we walked inside of town a bit. We had zero desire to walk up to the Acropolis here but that's an option for tourists. It's just like Rhodes Old Town but seems a bit nicer and more modern. Tons of restaurants and shops. I love all the hats here!! So cheap but they look stylish unlike the pricey ones in America. Got myself a new sun hat for $8 euros. The brim waves out, it doesn't sit flat.

Then we went to have pizza somewhere on the way back to the hotel. Not gonna bother mentioning where because although it was run by a lovely family, it was ok. I'm addicted to NYC pizza and so this was just meh to me, although it was freshly made and not greasy. The rest of the evening was spent walking around the newer part of Rhodes Town. Overall a chill day!

Greece 2016 Trip Report: Day 4 (Rhodes)

September 26, 2016

Today was day trip to Symi, which is an island just north of Rhodes. I picked the 2nd day of our trip to do this because we're going to rent a car the rest of the time after today.

So, is Symi worth it? Well, it's not pricey to go. Roundtrip ticket from local boat operator Nikolaos X is just 20 euros. But there's not too much to see/do on the tour itself. It is picturesque though. I would say only come if you need to kill time or if you've never seen other European towns where they have colorful houses stacked on top of each other.

The pick up time is at 9 am from Mandraki Harbor in Rhodes. Get there early (like 8:15-830) if you want prime seats on the boat. The boat is high speed and had good bathroom facilities. The ride was smooth the whole time. The first stop is at Panormitis, which houses a monastery. I'm not a religious person so this was not too interesting to me. The boat arrives there at 10:40 and leaves at 11:40. You can walk around the harbor which is nice to see but not much else going on.

Then after another hour, we finally arrive in the downtown area of Symi. It is very quaint and full of tourist shops and restaurants.

As pretty as it looks, something seems lacking. Maybe it's just too small or quiet? Also the meal we had here for lunch was pricier than the one in Old Town. It was good but not that much better. However if you do choose to come, Taverna Spitiko had friendly service and good souvlaki.

After eating, we walked back and forth a couple of times to kill time til the 4 pm pick up. You can also hike up to the top for an overview of the city but the stairs didn't appeal to us!

Got back to Rhodes at 5:45 pm and then took a shower at the hotel. Afterwards we wandered around to find dinner and came across the #1 rated place on Trip Advisor, Tamam. We saw a line and almost didn't get on it. But because there are NO other restaurants that have a line, we figured lets try it. SO glad we did!!!!! We only waited 30 minutes but the time passed quickly. The owner, who is Greek and used to ice in Astoria, Queens, NY for ten years, offers a glass of wine to everyone on line!!!! And it was delcious. They called it summer wine and it had peaches in it. I liked it so much I ordered one for dinner too.

Anyway the hype for this place is worth it. Best meal we had so far. Not traditional Greek but more modern. I had the BBQ pork ribs which were sooo tasty and juicy. Probably one of the better ribs I've ever had anywhere. We also tried the garlic prawns which were fantastic. I wouldn't mind coming back here for lunch! They don't take rsvps and the place is small so get here early to eat. No foodie pics because we ended up inviting a woman dining alone on line with us and she was Swedish and I didn't want to be rude or weird her out by taking too many pics!

Greece 2016 Trip Report: Day 3 (Rhodes)

September 25, 2016

Off to the islands! Had a 9:55 am flight from Athens to Rhodes through Aegean Airlines. After breakfast at the hotel, took a taxi to the airport. Was annoying because I know the flat rate is 38, you're not expected to tip, and of course the driver said the fare was 40 euros. I wanted to say I know it's 38 and would've probably had him keep the change anyway but it's just annoying that he took advantage because I'm clearly a tourist. Didn't think it was worth having negative energy on departure.

Check in was smooth, there is no international or domestic terminal. Aegean Airlines was at drop off entrance #4 (the last one). You go in, shop if you want, and then go thru security. Once you pass security there are no shops! Or at least the nice duty free ones. The flight to Rhodes was very quick, less than an hr. I wanted to fly because otherwise it's an 8 hour ferry ride or something. The flight was $88 USD one way. Once we got to Rhodes, the baggage area looked like chaos! A ton of people from other flights waiting for their luggage. Luckily ours came up pretty fast (mine was first! Probably because we also checked in so early, about 1.5 hours before). Another note: try not to use the bathroom at the airports. Athens was ok but the line for Rhodes was long and gross. There are only two stalls in the bathroom. Even at the Athens airport too!

From the Rhodes airport, we grabbed a taxi to our hotel Rodian Gallery Apartments, near the old city. Flat fare of 25 euros. It's not as nice as our hotel in Athens but it was cheap (312 euros for 4 nights for 3 adults) and we got a two bedroom with a kitchen and sitting area. Showers are tiny though. Basically seems like a college dorm. It's about a 15 minute walk from the Old Town, which is really a Medieval city. Everything is intact or at least seems to be.

Since we came on the last weekend of September (European Heritage Days) the museum was free so we took advantage of that and saved 6 euros each. The Old Town is nice, cobble stone and windy narrow streets to get lost in.

For lunch we went to Mama Sofia. It was pretty good. Had mussels (yes, again), Greek salad, fried sardines, and chicken soup (I love their soups). So far at every restaurant we've been to dessert is given complimentary. I love that we got small chocolate ice cream bars here! They taste like the Dove ones back in the US.

For dinner we went to Island Lipsi. Also was decent. Their homemade garlic bread was good, as was the saganaki shrimp (shrimp in sauce), and grilled veggies. We tried the mousaka which was ok (don't think I'm a fan of it, it's like beef lasagna) and stuffed tomato and peppers with rice (local Greek dish, also not my style). For free dessert we were given some ice cream (strawberry and mint) and some cake/pastry.

We didn't do much else but walk around and around the Old City. It's quaint but I personally like Prague a lot better. I guess my point is, so far Greece has been nice, but nothing has wow'ed me yet from a sight-seeing perspective. But it is really great to not be in an office for the next two weeks!

Greece 2016 Trip Report: Day 2 (Athens)

September 24, 2016

Woke up at 7:30 am and had breakfast on the rooftop of Athens Gate Hotel. I really do love how central this hotel seem to be to everything! In addition to the Acropolis, other ruins/attractions are nearby within a 15-20 min. walk as well as windy pedestrian-only streets full of shops and restaurants.

After eating, went to the Acropolis Museum. This weekend is the last weekend in September, and its known as the European Heritage Days so most museums are for free, including the Acropolis (which is 20 euros). However, glad we went to the Acropolis yesterday at 5 pm. It wasn't that crowded at all. Today we saw hordes of tourists heading over at 11 am (though at 9 am it was pretty dead). The museum, which is along the path to the Acropolis, also offers free admission today (Saturday) but only from 5 pm-8 pm and all day tomorrow but we're busy at these time so we paid the 5 euro admission per person to get in. The museum showcases excavations from centuries ago. It was pretty cool and worth checking out for a couple of hours.

Lego replica of the Parthenon. Apparently Gandalf hung out with the Greeks too.

Afterwards we walked around the winding streets of Plaka where there's a ton of touristy shops and restaurants. Had a freshly made juice at Novagea. Loved it!! They blend fruits and veggies into a juice or smoothie for you. If you get a fruit or veggie juice, they hand you a glass to place in front of a tap faucet in front of the juice bar and you watch the juice pour out as they pummel the ingredients into the blender. Highly recommend this place if you're nearby.

I can see why people say two days in Athens is enough. I was pretty done after seeing Acropolis. However we went to check out Ancient Agora of Athens since we knew admission was free due to the holiday. It was nice but when you see one structure with marble columns, you've kind of seen it all.

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Where democracy thrived, at Ancient Agora of Athens

Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon

We were done and back at the hotel at 2 pm for a much needed rest. At 4:30 pm, we were then picked up by PK Travel for a private tour to Cape Sounion to see the sunset at the Temple of Poseidon. I chose PK Travel because the price difference between a private hire vs. going on a bus full of people was less than 10 euros. We were picked up in a nice big van with comfortable seats and headed 1 hr and 15 min down to southern Athens. The drive by the coastline was very pretty (didn't get to take pics since I sat on the left side instead of the right) and we stopped for dinner right before reaching the Temple. The driver basically gives you options where to eat and it's not like you can do any research beforehand so we just went along with whatever he suggested. Dinner was decent, have no idea what the name of the place is but we had lovely views of the Temple and the sea.

Fresh grilled fish (tasty), fried cod (ehh was too salty and dry for me), and fresh mussels (meaty and good)

Sunsets in late September are around 7:20 pm

All in all, this was a quick and easy day trip outside of the city of Athens. Was it worth it? I think so if you love chasing sunsets like I do and the color of the Aegean Sea was a beautiful blue. Our tour cost $160 euros for three people. We tipped the driver $20 so it's about 60 euros pp. I am pretty sure the bus tours charge between 53-58 pp depending on which one you look into. Also, you can skip dinner if you want. It's totally optional since it's not included in the price (our dinner ended up costing about 54 euros total).

By the time we got back to Athens, it was close to 9 pm. Ready to move on to the Greek islands tomorrow!

Greece 2016 Trip Report: Day 1 (Athens)

September 23, 2016

I'm on vacaaaation! After a few super busy weeks of work, I am finally on holiday and trying to soak up every minute that I can. With that being said, I'm also gonna try my best to re-cap my trip experiences while I'm here because I know I'm going to be too lazy to write about a 16 day vacation later after I get home! So here goes:

Arriving into Greece

Flew from JFK on an 8 hr+ overnight flight with Delta. Left at 5:45 pm and arrived closed to 10 am (3 am EDT). The dinner on the plane was surprisingly good (chicken with pesto mashed potatoes and some pasta) and the flight crew even handed out hot wet towels! When did Delta step up their game?? I brought sleeping pills with me and was able to pass out most of the flight but was still tired when the plane landed.

Going thru customs was super easy!!!!! Like what the hell? No immigration forms or questioning at all! Just show your passport, get it stamped and off to baggage claim you go. They don't ask you to declare anything! Even when you leave baggage claim, there are zero people asking anything. Not that I want to be held up with questions but I don't know. With all going on in the world, I expected some more security...

Before leaving baggage claim, I stopped by the ATM to get cash. I heard many places take cash only but so far in Athens, the only thing I've paid cash for is the taxi! But maybe when I'm out of the city it'll be different.

Taxi to the city center is a flat rate of 38 euros. I thought the taxi driver would automatically know where the hotel I'm staying at was but he had no clue. Thank goodness I have international service on my phone and showed him on my GPS. He didn't speak English or have GPS and even after he called his company for directions (since my phone wasn't getting great signals), he dropped me off at the wrong place! But he was off by just a block so I wheeled myself over.

Where to Stay

Since I was only going to be in Athens for two nights, I decided to stay close to where the main attractions are and also at a place that's comfortable but on an upper scale side. The Athens Gate Hotel totally meets this criteria. Located right in the heart of everything, it's a great place to base yourself. And check out the view from my balcony! I don't even need to visit the Temple of Zeus because I think the best view is from my room!

All the hotels around here all seem to have rooftop bars/restaurants as well. This is the one at my hotel:

First of many sunset obsession pictures to come

Where to Eat

Had two good meals today

1) Avocado Cafe. Vegetarian friendly spot near the hotel. Quality fresh food and decent prices. Casual and gives off a hipster vibe. They also offer yoga and Pilates classes. Tried the hummus with avocado (ok), caprese sandwich (good) and the mushroom burger (also good, different than other ones I've had).

2) Oroscopo. About 7 euros away from the hotel by taxi or 4 by Uber (took an Uber back). Food was huge portions and for the most part, delicious! Wasn't a fan of the table bread they give you but the complimentary leek soup and three different pieces of cake for dessert at the end was good. I had the Ionian seabass which was light and tasty with steamed veggies. Travel partners had Greek short ribs (so good) and other had a baked chicken dish, also very tender and flavorful. Would recommend to others.

What to See (on limited time and when jet lagged)

Decided to walk up the Acropolis in the late afternoon to avoid massive tourist crowds and the heat. The hotel is super close to it, by about 5-10 min. to the entrance. Note there are two entrances and you should take the second one for more direct access up to the Parthenon. You'll be missing seeing this theatre but think you'll survive.

Also since we were going up late in the day, we skipped the new Acropolis museum to save it for tomorrow instead. I didn't want to wake up too early and rush thru breakfast to get to the Parthenon so this is why I jammed it into today. Glad I didn't because it's not as big or tough as I thought it was to get up there. There really are marble floors and walkways though so wear shoes with grip on them! Otherwise you might be sliding around.

So I left the hotel at 4 and by the time I walked over, bought entrance fee (20 euros) and got up there, it was close to 5 pm. I think late Sept. is a good time to go because there wasn't as many people as I expected. Finished walking around up there and by the time I was done, it was just after 6 pm. It was enjoyable with wonderful panoramic views of the city all around.

May 2016 Trip Report: Copenhagen, Denmark

June 25, 2016

This past Memorial Day weekend (the last weekend in May in the U.S.) I decided to spend it solo in Copenhagen, Denmark. There was a fairly good deal from SAS Airlines. For a non-stop direct flight from Newark airport, roundtrip airfare was just under $700 USD. On top of that, the flight schedule was great--I flew out on a Wednesday at around 5:30 pm and arrived in Copenhagen at 7:15 am. My flight home was the following Monday at 6:35 pm, arriving back in Newark airport at 9 pm. This allowed me 5 full days to spend there. I usually never fly out of Newark but now that Uber offers ride sharing, it's actually affordable to get to. Through rideshare, my Uber fare was $38, and I did not have to pay extra for toll! JFK is so much more expensive.

Copenhagen is an excellent place to spend a few days on your own, or with someone else. There is SO MUCH TO DO THERE. I did not anticipate this. I was not bored for one second, and I was generally out and about the whole entire day, getting back at midnight almost every day. Sometimes when I travel alone, of course you wish you had someone to talk to or share the experience with, but I was really glad not to have anyone to cater to or organize my plans with. There were so many restaurants I wanted to try and places I wanted to tour, and I know I tend to be a bit overbearing in wanting to do everything and see everything so I was a bit relieved to go at whatever pace I wanted.

What I Love About Copenhagen

As I mentioned before, there is so much for everyone--whether you're a foodie, love art, history, nature, shopping, activities. I can't imagine anyone getting bored here unless you care nothing for beauty or culture.
It's very easy to navigate and super clean! In fact, Copenhagen reminded me of a European version of Japan. If you've ever been to Japan, you'll know what I mean. Public transit is very easy to follow and public restrooms were so well kept. I was surprised at how many public restrooms were easily accessible and some had attendants who made sure they were kept clean and safe. Being a New Yorker, this is pretty much a luxury I'm not used to.
There is a plethora of different neighborhoods and areas. I definitely did not see it all but many places had their own charm and character.
Highlights for me was visiting Kronborg castle (which inspired Shakespeare's Hamlet), the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, taking a boat tour on the canal, Paper Island, and exploring the parks.

But...

It's really expensive to eat out.
Food for me was a hit or miss. For the most part, you can tell their ingredients are local and fresh but I think Scandinavian food tends to have some pickly taste to it that I'm not a fan of. So certain meals/dishes I didn't enjoy much due to this flavor, but I did find some places that I thought were good.
Hotels are also really expensive. Definitely try to do Air Bnb! I stayed in the Norreboro area which was great, it was easy to get anywhere else in the city (especially to the airport). The lovely couple who rent out the guest room are friendly and the place is just as described online.

Overall Impressions & Tips

Five days is enough to see everything and squeeze in a day trip. See my itinerary below for suggestions.
Go in May or June, when the weather is warm, many sunshine hours, and before it's peak tourist season.
Get a 24 hour metro card for at least a couple of days--especially for the day you arrive, so you can use it on the train to the city from the airport. It's worth it if you just use it at least 3-4x to get around the city, and it works on the water taxis on the canal. All you need to do is show it to the bus/water taxi driver and whoever might be checking on the train (and they do check!). I definitely got tired from walking around so much and getting on the bus was a relief at times. I bought a 24 hour metro card pass for the day trip to Kronborg and Louisiana as well, this is a slightly different pass (I think you pick you want it for all zones, Copenhagen is just zones 1-3).
If you choose to do a day trip while you're here, do it on a Sunday, when most shops are closed anyway. I went to Kronborg and Louisiana Museum of Modern Art on a Sunday. They are both on the same train route and you can easily see both in a single day.
Sweden is super close! I didn't get to go, but the nearest city is about an hour away by train. Bring your passport if you decide to visit.

Sunset at 10 pm at Amass, a farm-to-table restaurant

My 5 Day Itinerary

The Quick Version:

Day 1: Landed at around 7 am. Got into the Air Bnb by 9 am. Walked around Christiania, Paper Island, Opera House, Nyhavn market, took a canal tour, dinner at Amass.
Day 2: Breakfast at Torvehallerne Market (many food vendors here), visited Rosenborg Castle, saw the changing of the guard at noon at Amalienborg Palace (where the Danish royal family lives), went to the top of the tower at Christiansborg Palace (free, panoramic views of the city), went to Tivoli Gardens, had a drink at a great cocktail place called Curfew, and had dinner at Radio.
Day 3: Lunch at Fiskebar, shopping around Strøget street, dinner on Paper Island.
Day 4: Visited Kronborg Castle and Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. Dinner at Oysters & Grill.
Day 5: Last minute shopping and lunch at Grod, snack at Joe and the Juice. Left for the airport at 3:30 pm.

I will expand more in upcoming posts!

March 2016 Trip Report: Cartagena, Colombia

April 23, 2016

South America is a place I've only skimmed the surface of. Whenever I travel, I usually prefer to go to Europe or Asia but lately I've asked myself while I haven't spent more time down there.

Graffiti art in the Getsemani neighborhood of Cartagena

Given that I have a full time job in finance, it's hard for me to take too much time off every year (I am allotted 15 days of vacation time a year) so I try to take trips around holiday weekends to maximize time off. I was a bit hesitant to go to Colombia alone, but I was craving to go somewhere culturally different and easy to get to from NYC and easy to get around once I was there. Cartagena definitely met my expectations!

Is it safe traveling there alone as a woman? It is. Of course you should keep your wits about you and do some research so you know what to expect. Be sensible of your surroundings and have a basic understanding of the culture and rules. For example, one thing I read about Colombia before I left is that everyone, including tourists, need to have some sort of identification with them at all times.

It's also very helpful if you know some Spanish. Mine is terrible and I tried to brush up on it by watching the Netflix series Narcos. Narcos is an amazing show about Colombia's most notorious drug lord, Pablo Escobar. Whether you know or don't know anything about him, the show (which has only 1 season out so far) is entertaining and you will definitely learn quite a bit about Colombia's history, politics, and drug trade. Knowing Spanish or not won't make or break your trip, though it would be helpful.

So!

Why I Went to Cartagena, Colombia

It's easy to get to. JetBlue flies there direct from JFK and you will get there in under 5 hours. While Cartagena is in the same time zone as NY, they don't observe daylight savings time so there might be a time difference based on when you go. I went over Easter weekend, which was after daylight savings time in NY, and gained an hour when I arrived (since they don't spring forward).
Met my criteria of being out of comfort zone (meaning, not being in the U.S or a developed country)
Met my criteria of being easy to get around. Cartagena is a really small city, but there is lots to do in the outer areas. I stuck mostly to staying in and around the Old City because I just didn't have the time to research and go further out.
It's super cheap there! When I went, the exchange rate was $100 USD = $300,000 pesos. A taxi ride from the airport to the city, which is about 15 minutes, cost around $8,000 pesos, which is like $3 USD.

Overall Impressions

Go if you're also looking for a quick/easy trip and you can fly there direct. However, be warned that you don't really need more than two days in Cartagena itself. You can see the whole city in a day and a half. If you want to do more and go for 5 days, then definitely do a day and/or overnight trip out to the Rosario Islands. I didn't do this but wish I had. I just didn't have time to plan it.
Don't expect a lot when it comes to food. Food wasn't terrible, but nothing was memorable either.
People are generally friendly, but again, you do have to be careful where you go. The Walled City and Getsemani were generally safe, but can't speak to any area outside of this.
Five days is more than enough if you're just doing Cartagena. I'll discuss my itinerary in upcoming posts!