A stunningly beautiful 1930s manor house turned all-inclusive boutique hotel, Giraffe Manor is set within an indigenous forest where critically-endangered Rothschild’s giraffes roam freely. The recipient of countless accolades, Giraffe Manor has enjoyed an avalanche of publicity in recent years, becoming an Instagram icon, so much so that you may recognize the photos before you recognize the name. After all, where else in the world can you eat breakfast with giraffes?
However, staying here does come at a price and the question I am asked most often is, “Is it worth it?”
The answer is a resounding, “Yes, it’s worth every single cent!”
Perhaps the second-most often asked question is, “What’s it like to stay there?” Simply put, Giraffe Manor …
Africa’s answer to the horse, its iconic stripes make the zebra easy to identify. Black, white and adorable all over, zebras are half horse, half donkey and are easily one of my favorite animals to watch while on safari. But there’s much more to this mesmerizing creature than meets the eye. Here are just a handful of wild-ass facts about one of Africa’s most beloved beasts.
1. Zebras have mad self-protection methods! Vulnerable but powerful, zebras are prey to nearly every four-legged hunter. Lions, hyenas and even Nile crocodiles hunt these beautiful creatures. Because they must be on the defensive constantly, zebras have excellent methods of self-protection. Did you know that zebras sleep while standing up and only in groups?
People build statues of heroes. The Greeks built statues of Hercules and Adonis. The British built statues of Nelson and Churchill. The Egyptians, Colossi of Memnon. We Americans build statues of our heroes, too. Like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Heroes usually only get statues when they’re dead. And, when a person travels hundreds or thousands of miles to see a statue, sometimes looking isn’t enough. Sometimes, he or she wants to touch it. And it’s always lucky to touch a hero statue.
But should you?
The short answer is most of the time. As long as you are respectful of local customs and traditions and it’s not prohibited by local law, I say do …
Spend five minutes in any of Eastern Europe’s capital cities and you’re likely to run across a ruin bar. Gloomy but gorgeous, ruin bars are usually found in eclectic, historical buildings that have been recycled into some seriously spectacular spaces.
These slightly spooky-chic establishments are adored by locals and travelers alike. Characterized by funky, non-matching furnishings, these derelict buildings and neglected outdoor spaces have been transformed into cozy, chaotic bars that, oftentimes, are almost exclusively candlelit.
Krakow’s nightlife, in my opinion, is unlike nightlife anywhere else in Europe. While its gorgeous architecture and the glow from Wawel Castle give this city a true fairy-tale feel, the bars in Krakow are anything but textbook. Yes, you can easily find a few …