Set of Drifters

Your hosts Doug & Brady are thrilled to share with you a different slant on both popular, and unexpected, travel destinations across the world and back.
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A lot of love has gone into the creation of our Set of Drifters Instagram, extensive photo albums on Facebook and "pulsation" YouTube video series. We now offer content for over 45 cities in 15 countries - and counting. Please reach out to us to let us know what you think, or if you have any questions about a particular location. And if you work for a travel agency, hotel, restaurant, bar, etc., w

e want to hear from you! Is our information incorrect? Please drop us a line so we can fix it! We wish you happy travels in the year ahead - when it is once again safe to do so!
-Doug & Brady

06/18/2024

Besides a quick establishing shot seen as Luke, C3-PO, R2-D2, and Obi-Wan whiz by on their way to obtain passage to Alderaan, Djerba's Sidi Jemour mosque (located on the isle's west coast) was also used in the filming of a "lost" 'Star Wars' scene at Anchorhead. 'Tosche Station' is mentioned in the final version of the film, but the scenes set here ended up on the cutting room floor as director George Lucas felt their expository information slowed down the pace of the film too much.

Sidi Jemour is certainly the best preserved 'Star Wars' filming location on Djerba, but not because locals see it as a way to attract tourists! This is an actual functioning religious compound, and therefore an important part of daily life for nearby villagers. The caretakers, who live in a building adjacent to the mosque, keep the place looking stunning - whitewashed so perfectly against the azure sky and mesmerizing Gulf of Gabes. As we traversed through the cliffs of Sidi Jemour, families were gathering to take part in a call to prayer. Still, others lingered in the shade, or ran down from the mosque to take a swim. We could not help but ponder that if every religious building in the world had this seascape as a backdrop, there would likely be a lot more "people of faith" out there!

06/16/2024

Sunday in Vondelpark with bitterballen (and a brew, just out of shot), ‘t Blauwe Theehuis, Amsterdam

06/14/2024

Historic, yes, but also, futuristic. The Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites (located in downtown Los Angeles) has provided sci-fi vibes for a number of films and TV series over the years. If you've ever seen 'Escape from LA' (1996), 'Alien Nation' (1988), or the TV adaptations of 'Buck Rogers' or 'Logan's Run,' you might remember architect John C. Porter, Jr.'s iconic Brutalist facade.

06/12/2024

Dedicated SCUBA enthusiasts flock to picturesque Lembeh Resort on the island of Sulawesi to partake in "muck diving," a sport that has the potential to reveal some of the most intriguing sea critters known to humans. Of course, if you are a diving novice like us, Lembeh Resort offers half-day “Discover" lessons for first-timers that include your equipment rental. (Longer PADI-certification packages are available at elevated costs.)

After our class, our instructor, Marine Biologist Dimpy, helped us saunter into the nearby waters of Lembeh Resort’s house reef. At first, we were a bit nervous. Thankfully, the delivery of Dimpy’s instruction quickly allowed us to ease into the 30-45 minute dive. She carefully led us past a number of faux wrecks and other structures that helped propagate new coral growth and other habitation. In only a short time, we became witness to a number of oddball creatures that we probably would have missed without Dimpy’s well-trained eye. Using an etch-a-sketch type notepad, Dimpy wrote down the names of the various fish, nudibranch, and coral species that passed by our masks. We were particularly impressed with the trumpet fish, though perhaps a bit surprised to see so many lobster running amok (no pun intended) in the shallow waters near the shore.

Feeling somewhat vindicated that we survived our first dive, we spent the rest of the afternoon and evening relaxing poolside, watching the sparrows dip their beaks in the water as they zoomed by. A tremendous sunset that highlighted the nearby Gunung Klabat crater soon followed; you can be sure we weren’t the only ones hovering near the shore to snap pictures of the perfect close to a magical day!

06/10/2024

The Victorian-era boom of Cape May, NJ started back in, yes, you guessed it, the late 1800s when socialites from both sides of the Atlantic noted the town's picturesque seaside location as the perfect summer retreat destination. Hordes of pleasure seekers flocked here to take advantage of Cape May's agreeable summertime temps and its more than 20 miles of sparkling coastline!

The explosion of tourism transformed the once sleepy Colonial-era village into the jewel of the New Jersey resort circuit. To keep up with the high demand, construction of hotels, guest houses, and cottages soon followed, and in varied styles of the era (to include Queen Anne, Shingle and Stick, Gothic, Italianate, and Second Empire).

Of course, another aspect that adds to Cape May's charm is its bounty of floral gardens. If visiting in Spring or Summer, plan to get lost in at least a few.

06/08/2024

Mouths still watering over here recalling the fantastic lunch we enjoyed at Paantya restaurant inside the Shiv Niwas Palace in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Take us back there now!

06/06/2024

For , we recall back four years ago to the day we attempted to visit the International Banana Museum only to find out that it, and much of nearby Bombay Beach/Salton Sea, had been shuttered.

Sure, our visit was timed during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, but from the looks of it, this region had already suffered some sort of apocalypse in the months and years leading up to June 2020.

06/04/2024

Twenty-seven years in, and NYC's Balthazar brasserie is still packing 'em in for some of the city's best French-inspired food and brunch offerings. BON APPÉTIT indeed!

06/02/2024

If you are running short on time, or simply do not have the patience for ferries and treacherous mountain roads, there are still plenty of nearby opportunities to experience the fecundity that envelops Seattle's city center.

One such spot, Kirkland’s Bridle Trails State Park, is a lovely setting usually reserved for those on horseback. And yet, since it had rained only an hour prior to our visit, the park was empty of nearby stable owners who'd have no choice but to live out their equine fantasies another day.

Bridle Trails State Park bursts at the trunks with colorful moss and lichen creepers that grow on top of one another. Lush green is EVERYWHERE you turn, but after 45 minutes or so of wandering through the trails, our feet were soggy — and cold. We hopped back in our rental and bopped over to Marsh Park (also in Kirkland).

Bordering Lake Washington with views out to the city, this pleasant change of pace offered us the perfect spot to catch a Pacific Northwest sunset. It was springtime, and that meant, thankfully, cherry blossoms in full bloom.

We watched a band of kayakers practicing polo out on the lake as the blossoms silhouetted themselves against a purple haze sky. They say Seattle is part of the "Pacific Rim," and we noted time and time again that hints of Japan and Hawaii are not at all unusual to suss out.

Set of Drifters tip: The trees at Bridle Trails State Park are very tall, and remind once again that one should always strive to look upward as you never know what you could be missing. Just be careful to watch out for pea-sized droplets of rain that cull within the thick canopy of the forest only to be released at the most inopportune of times!

05/31/2024

A definite must for “neon buffs” of fans of vintage Las Vegas is the city's Neon Museum “boneyard," a veritable cemetery of retro signage that is truly overwhelming in its breadth. Thankfully, guided tours offer a well-paced stroll through the beautiful carnage laid out in a path that chronologically follows the history of Sin City’s most memorable casinos. What we loved: bold designs for the Sahara, Algiers, Stardust, and La Co**ha properties. What we didn’t love: limited access for cameras/video — and that blazing sun beating down at all times!

To avoid the latter, check out the Neon Museum event schedule for possible night tours or other one-off events. When we visited, tickets were about $20 - $25 USD for adults.

05/29/2024

A moody stroll through history is available to all who make the off-the-beaten trek through St. Roch Cemetery #1 in New Orleans.

05/27/2024

Postcard from Yelapa, Jalisco.

05/27/2024

A unique confluence of factors has stymied the Third Street Promenade, a car-free outdoor mall by the iconic Santa Monica Pier.

05/25/2024

Brighton's Beyond Retro is a vintage lover's dream! You can find the warehouse-sized resale emporium while visiting the seaside getaway's North Laine Bazaar. Trust us, you will not be disappointed.

05/23/2024

Recently catching the excellent Netflix series 'Ripley' had us recalling our visit to the extraordinary Castello d'Aragones in Ischia. The ancient (400 BC-era) Mediterranean site that looks out to the Gulf of Naples served to provide a similar flavor as Atrani / Positano (locations from the TV series and original novel by Patricia Highsmith) for the 1999 film adaptation of the story that starred Matt Damon, Jude Law, and Gwyneth Paltrow.

05/21/2024

It's always at All Season Brewery. This lively spot (housed inside the former Firestone Tire Building on LaBrea) features the famed contemporary Mexican offerings of Chica's Tacos. Set of Drifters tip: Try the slow braised steak options, or for a vegan option, "the crispy taco" featuring Abbot’s Butcher plant-based meat.

05/19/2024

Picnic silhouette silliness at Lake Isabella, Kernville, California

05/17/2024

Up, up and away, bobbing over the fields of Yountville, Napa Valley

05/15/2024

One of the top draws on the Hawaiian island of Maui is, and always will be, the famed “Road to Hana,” a breathtaking 68-mile journey that takes you from the little surf town of Pa’ia into one of the most beautiful jungle environments you may ever see.

Along the way, a bounty of flowers, waterfalls and grand views will try their best to divert your eyes from the road! But don’t let them completely. The Hana Highway is densely packed with merciless curves, harrowing switchbacks, and no less than 54 narrow bridges! (Many of these are still standing from their original inception; the road was carved out in 1910 to transport sugar plantation workers from Pa’ia to Hana.) Driving conditions along the Hana Highway are, in fact, so legendary that rental car companies add special clauses into their contracts to limit liability should you crash, burn and/or damage their vehicle!

A highlight along the Hana Highway includes a stop-off at Ke'anae Arboretum (where a bevy of red ginger, anthurium and hanging heliconia abound), and the small town’s picturesque coastline where today's dramatic was snapped. Here, jagged lava rocks and crashing waves make for a dangerous environment, especially during high tide, so stay off the outcroppings if the sea is looking too rough!

05/13/2024

Muddling through Monday like we are? Why not scout out your nearest park and take a lil spring stroll through nature? We did just that last year during our splendid stay in Condesa, CDMX.

We cannot be sure if today's was taken in Parque México or Parque España, though if you are in the neighborhood, it is super easy to visit both since they are only a few short blocks from one another.

05/11/2024

"Takin' care of business" during an overnight at Graceland during our cross-country move / road trip waaaaay back in 2007, Memphis

05/10/2024

The residents of Jodhpur's Mehrangarh Fort must have seen life through blue, red, yellow and green lenses... or at least that is what we mused when we toured the historic spot in November 2013.

05/07/2024

Aside from lux spa days, vortex-hunting, and, yes, fudge, one of Sedona's top MUST-DOs is a jeep tour of the rugged, yet stunning, back country just outside of town.

Jeep excursions have long been a popular method of getting in touch with Sedona’s impressive nature, and many shop fronts along State Route 89A will offer information on the city's different operators. During our summer 2017 excursion, we felt Sedona Offroad Adventures gave us undeniable bang for our buck! Though heed this warning... These 4X4 jeep treks are no joke! Thrills abound at every turn. Expect to hang on for your dear life as your bemused driver whisks you up-and-over countless ravines, puddles, and gnarled heaps of chaparral. Set of Drifters tip: Ask for driver "VJ" on the 'Secret Mountain' tour, and don't forget to drain your bladder beforehand!

05/05/2024

At Design Museum Brussels, beautiful things are witnessed both inside and out. Inside, don't miss the permanent exhibit, Plasticarium, that features space-age 20th century plastic works by the likes of Gaetano Pesce, Verner Panton, Philippe Starck, and the Apple Design Team (among many others). The museum has also previously displayed over 200 unseen photographs by Mid-Century design duo Charles and Ray Eames!

Outside, take a rest in front of the faboo view of the Atomium, the landmark modernist building designed by André and Jean P***k (and engineer André Waterkeyn) that dominates the skyline of Brussel's Heysel plateau.

05/03/2024

If visiting Las Vegas for the first time, chances are you'll find yourself wandering aimlessly down The Strip at some point of the visit (likely after a few cocktails.) Set of Drifters tip: Those flashy showgirls you spot walking across the street in pairs aren't on their way to their next gig! They have specifically dressed up to work tourists, hoping you'll be so enamored with their dazzle, that you'll want a picture with them. Naturally, this Insta moment comes at a price, usually upwards of $25!

Sure, these "showgirls" may not be as cut-throat as Nomi Malone from the film of the same name, but they're also going to ensure you pony up the cash after taking a photo by haranguing you in front of anyone nearby. Just remember lasses, "There's always someone younger and hungrier coming down the stairs after you."

05/01/2024

One of our favorite aspects of San Francisco's Mission District is its many offerings of public art. For a tour of the neighborhood's vibrant, ever-changing murals, a good place to start is Clarion Alley, a conglomeration of rather impressive (and socially-charged) pieces protected by the Clarion Alley Mural Project. (Set of Drifters tip: Look for great block parties held here each October.) CAMP began in 1992, the brainchild of six North Mission residents who wanted to foster a location where artists could create work that spoke to both “social inclusiveness” and “aesthetic variety.” A wander up and down Clarion will only take about 15 minutes and showcases some of the best modern work in the Mission!

If you are looking for a more structured experience, contact the Precita Eyes Muralists to inquire about one of several tour options of the neighborhood. Ticket prices run about $25 USD, and are well worth it. The operators of Precita are well-versed on both the Mission District’s history and the murals that rose out from its tumult. As a collective, they strive to educate both community residents and inner city children about the tradition and beauty that emanates from these great modern-day works of art. In fact, they work with city planners, neighborhood merchants and local artists to ensure more than 40 new murals are created each year!

04/29/2024

Breakfast (lunch and dinner) is always done right at Sage Bistro & Brewery, Echo Park

04/27/2024

The colors are rich out there today on the West Coast of the Americas...

04/25/2024

Beneath us in the high city, Cattedrale di Sant'Alessandro, Piazza Duomo, Bergamo

04/23/2024

Ulysse Djerba Thalasso & Spa is themed after Homer's classics (and Tunisia's Mediterranean connection to Carthaginian history.) Upon our arrival, we were instantly impressed by the architecture and decor, a clever mix of classic Tunisian shapes and colors that blended perfectly with the hotel's more modern, functional amenities inside.

Having just completed a week-long trek through the desert, we were thrilled to finally enjoy both super comfy beds, and a bevy of fine quality bath products, from our hotel suite. (Set of Drifters tip: Our room featured balcony views of the exquisitely landscaped courtyard garden. But with a small crane of our necks, we could also spot the crystal blue sea just beyond as well! We suggest inquiring at the front desk to see if there are any rooms available with unobstructed views of the Mediterranean.)

The resort itself had so much on offer in the way of restaurants, bars, and activities. We had not nearly enough time to hit them all up. Aside from the many on-site fine dining restaurants, five bars, fitness center, two pools (and the private beach), Ulysse Djerba also features an extensive hamman/thalasso spa, and a concierge that will help you organize tours over to the mainland if you are traveling without a car.

Overall, we give it FOUR GROVEYS out of five. We felt the management did a great job of providing us with a high-end 'boutique hotel' experience that offered all the amenities of a resort, but at a relatively affordable price.

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