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The Editors Picks brings you some of the best travel stories, photos and recommendations from the RealTravel community, and also provides related travel news and links, for anyone who is passionate about travel.

Coffee culture in SeattleDecember 11 2008

You can go to almost any city in the world and get a cup of Starbucks, but only Seattle, Washington owns the bragging rights of saying it is home to the world’s leading retailer of specialty coffee.

It all began in a little coffee shop next to Pike Place Market in 1971, and to this day, visitors come from all over to stand in the birthplace of their beloved coffee bean provider. But the coffee tour does not end there, Seattle is also known for the original chains, Seattle’s Best and Tully’s, as well as amazing local coffee shops all around town. Enjoy the artistic lattes, strong aromas, and unique settings of Zeitgeist Coffee (Pioneer Square), Uptown Espresso (Belltown), or Cafe Ladro (downtown).

Once the caffeine kicks in, head over to Lake Union to enjoy the bourbon corn chowder at Duke’s Chowderhouse and soak in the beautiful view from the harbor. The South Lake Union Trolley will then drop you off downtown next to the Pacific Place mall for some good shopping (Seattle is also the original home of the clothing retail store, Nordstroms). There is plenty to do downtown and all around the friendly city of Seattle including a trip up the Space Needle (b

Hot coffee in AmsterdamDecember 8 2008

The winter season brings with it cold weather and the desire for hot beverages and cozy settings. This week, we will let coffee take us around the world to find the best cup of joe and great cities where it can be found.

Amsterdam, Netherlands is the world capital of coffee shops. With over 300 coffee shops and cafes to choose from, you can decide which is best for you. Young travelers usually search for the shops that offer legal “herbs”, but most coffee shops offer much more than that. Locals enjoy the relaxed settings and warm environments conducive to enjoying a coffee and a good book in the afternoon. To complement these great coffee shops are delicious bakeries–Taart van m’n Tante is a well-reviewed colorfully decorated café with large, ornate cakes luring you in the windows and centered at each table to be enjoyed.

Once you’re ready to start the day, walk through beautiful Vondelpark (complete with lakes, mystical trees, and beautiful buildings and hotels), visit the Van Gogh museum (housing the largest collection of Van Gogh’s paintings and drawings in the world) and Rikjsmuseum (displaying Dutch art and history), tak

Cheap travels in NicaraguaDecember 6 2008

While most winter vacationers escape to well-traveled island and sun destinations like Mexico and Costa Rica, head next door to the less-discovered Nicaragua where you’ll find a bargain vacation.

Nicaragua offers expansive beaches and not-so-crowded surf, music, cheap eats, and a less touristy polish to provide a true cultural immersionand insight onto some of the less developed countries in Central America. Remnants of Spanish colonialism are scattered throughout the country, leaving some amazing architecture and charming small towns to discover.

The most popular sites to see are the towns of Managua and Granada. Realtraveller, volunteersamerica, gave their description of Granada:

“Reaching Granada, a beautiful colonial town, well preserved, we went into a church and climbed to the top where we had a beautiful view of Granad

Tax-free shopping in AndorraDecember 2 2008

Stock up on items from music to jewelry (and everything in between) in the tax-free country of Andorra. In this quaint small principality located between France and Spain, visitors outnumber residents to take advantage of tax-free shopping, great ski resorts, and the beautiful mountains, lakes, and valleys planted in the middle of the Pyrenees.

Real Travel bloggers enjoyed Andorra’s hot springs, cheap drinks and night life, dramatic scenery, and outdoor activities. Andorra’s capital is Andorra la vella, the largest city with the highest concentration of the country’s 2000 shops. As the Journeyers, put it: “The place is clean, pretty, and unbelievably full of stores.”

Other Real Travel bloggers suggest drinks at El Cau in the Andorran village of Arinsal, Anyos Park where the locals are extremely friendly to kids, and skiing wherever you see fit.

Budget Travel TipsDecember 1 2008

During this winter season when consumerism is high, there are some great affordable deals and destinations that will leave your pocket full for gift shopping and other activities. Here are some tricks to keep your expenses to a minimum:

1. Flying: If you’re living on a whim, try waiting for last minute hotel and flight deals because when seats are empty, they will want your business at any price. An easy way to track these deals is to get on airlines and travel organizers’ e-mail updates and newsletters. Though we live in a world unwelcoming to spam mail, sometimes an interesting deal for the weekend may pop up on your list that brings you to adventures you hadn’t planned.

2. Sleeping: Who said you have to pay for sleep accommodations? There are now many friendly and affordable ways to sleep based on networks who want to make traveling easier in these economic times. There are house exchanges available through credible companies, Craigslist and other classified options, as well as organizations such as Couch Surfers. With these resources provided worldwide,