Hannover is not a popular tourist destination like Munich, Berlin and Hamburg, but it is an amazing city to explore. With a blend of British or Germanic medieval culture, Hannover is a place to experience the best of Northern German culture.

The people may be cold, but the lattes are warm and the parks are inviting. One of Hannover’s best features is that is has plenty of cheap and free things to do. I personally do not find Hannover expensive, but with all the inexpensive things to do, it’s easy to travel here on the cheap.  

Northern Germans do not earn a lot of money (the average I heard is 1,800 euros per month), and the locals find plenty of inexpensive things to do, specifically in nature. With plenty of parks and urban spaces, Hannover is a city where nature meets concrete jungle. Get ready to save a pretty penny, well a euro, as you explore the best cheap and free things to do in Hannover. 

Walk The Red Thread
Hannover’s Red Thread is a self-guided walking tour that journeys through the heart of Hannover. This 4,200-meter red painted line contains 36 significant stops featuring the best of Hannover’s past and history.
 
This do-it-yourself walking tour is simple. Just follow the red line. If you want more out of the tour, purchase the Red Thread handbook for three euros from the Tourism Office located across from the Hauptbanhof. I recommend the book as it explains a wealth of knowledge about the monuments and architecture and other cool secrets. Books are available in English and German.

 I recommend taking your time and exploring one of the cafes along the Red Thread. Check out my Noteworthy “Essen und Trinken” Cafes along Germany’s Red Thread. 

Explore Old Town
Old Town is one of the most beautiful areas of Hannover. Sadly, the original architecture was bombed during World War Two, but was rebuilt to replicate the structures pre 1940’s. There are so many places to eat and drink that you can find a place that suits you on my 20 Buzz-worthy cafes in Hannover. Old Town is a perfect spot to try a slice of German cake. With so many choices, check out more on my Hannover Cake Connoisseur Blog and discover what place (or cake) is best for you!

Be sure to visit the Leibnizhaus (where I lived) and Ballhofplatz on Saturday mornings for free jazz during the summer months. The marktkirche (market church) is not to be missed! 

Shop at Hannover’s Flohmarkt “Flea Market”
Every Saturday, or least when the weather is nice; explore the historic flea market in “Altstadt,” or Old Town. Food and antique vendors set up along the Old Town “leine,” or river. Here you’ll find everything from antiques to hardware to old paintings. The flea market is affordable and it’s my favorite market in all of Europe. Read more atHannover, Germany's Flohmarkt: The Best Flea Market in Europe? 

Free Museum Friday
Every Friday the Hannover museums are free. I recommend visiting the Hannover History museum in Old Town to discover Hannover’s medieval and British-influenced history. Here you’ll find beautiful clothing from the 1800’s, historic paintings and even King George's carriage. Be sure to get an English headset from the front desk to discover some of the most unknown history about the city. 
For a complete list of qualifying museums, click here. 

Explore the Rathaus
The Rathaus, or the “city hall” is the most charming architectural structure in Hannover. Take time to walk the grounds and soak up the serene atmosphere.  The building’s reflection from across the pond is the perfect spot for a photograph. 

In side the Rathaus, visitors explore the history and visuals of what life was like when Hannover originated. You’ll also find structures that depict the destruction of Hannover after World War Two. In the lobby there is a tourist office to buy tickets for the roof. The elevator ride is worth the few euros alone.  Before getting in the elevator, be sure to read the signs depicting more historical facts about Hannover. At the top, there are several viewpoints that feature 360-degree views of the city.

Walk Maschsee 
One of the most popular areas in Hannover is Maschsee (Masch Lake). This 6-kilometer walk around the lake is the perfect afternoon stroll. You’ll find locals rollerblading, walking or biking around the quiet lake. There are plenty of cafes and beer gardens dotted around the lake so don’t worry about going hungry. My favorite is Pier 51 bar and lounge and the biergarden at the Aspira and the outdoor café connected to the Marriot Hotel. If you are in Hannover for Vater’s Tag (Father’s Day) in May, head to Maschsee to discover how “herrens” celebrate Father’s day by pulling wagons and playing drinking games around the lake.

Go Swimming
Hannover maybe landlocked, but has no shortages of fresh bodies of water. Various city and private establishments charge a couple euros entry for swimming, like the Aspira, but for something free head to the Maschsee Park Lakes, just south of Maschsee. Read more about what places to swim on my 6 Amazing Places for Summer Swimming in Hannover.

If you explore the Strandbad Hemmingen, check out the local “you pick” strawberry patch down the road. These are the best strawberries I’ve ever tasted. 

For indoor swimming, my favorite pool is Stadionbad, which is adjacent to Maschsee.

Find Nature
Besides Maschsee, two other popular public parks include the Georgengarten nearby the Herrenhauser Garten and the Eilenriede forest near the Zoo. Both are beautiful, spacious parks that radiates with serenity. At Georgengarten, locals “make a picnic,” and grill wursts on portable barbecues.  The forest is the perfect place to escape the city and get lost in the woods.

Cultural Centers in Linden
The Linden neighborhood is the “Berlin” of Hannover. Quirky and ultra-liberal, Café Glocksee and Faust and Mephisto are two cultural centers to photograph graffiti or catch a cheap musical performance. At Faust, you can enjoy a latte at Nachbar or purchase some cheap antiques and goods at the Sunday flea market (warm months only).

Eat & Drink at a Beer Garden
In Hannover, there are no shortages of beer gardens. In Germany, beer is cheaper than bottled water, and is part of a healthy German diet. Which beer garden should you visit? That’s hard to say, but this7 Beloved Beer Gardens in Hannover gives insight to what beer garden is best for you. The Lister Turm is a local favorite. 

What's your favorite cheap or free thing to do in Hannover? Let us know and we'll add it to the list!

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​This Lemon Tree article is now featured on GPSmyCity.  To download this article for offline reading or travel directions to the attractions highlighted in this article, go to 10 Cheap & Free Things to do in Hannover, Germany

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What's your favorite food market in Madrid?

In Mayan, Akumal mean, "land of turtles." And most tourists visit Akumal in hopes to come face to face with the majestic sea turtle. 

Akumal is a small beach town located between Playa del Carmen and Tulum and is 60 miles south of the Cancun International Airport. Most people either choose to lodge in Akumal or visit from one of the neighboring cities. No matter where you stay, Akumal is a popular day trip destination. With so much to do and see, here is how to spend a day (or 24 hours) in Akumal. 

Start the day with a Sunrise. 
Depending on the time  of year, you can expect the sun to rise between 7 to 7:30am during the peak tourist season (winter). If the sky is clear the sunrise is less impressive, but none the less it is a beautiful sight to see the sun rise over the trees. 

If you love flying solo, at sunrise you may be the only person on the beach. Enjoy the quiet atmosphere,  the beach gets crowded by mid-morning. 

8:00am - Breakfast 
Unless you have a kitchen and plan on making your own breakfast, head to the Turtle Bay Cafe, Lucy's Kitchen or La Buena Vida. La Buena Vida now serves breakfast from 8-11am daily. Here you'll find the traditional breakfast options, but with excellent views of the ocean. 

I'm partial to the Turtle Bay Cafe as they have a wide selection of pastries, juices, smoothies and egg dishes. But I do recommend the Turtle Bay Cafe for lunch. Almond and soy milk are also available for vegans. 

9:30am - Park Your Stuff on the Beach & Sign up for Snorkeling with Sea Turtles
Walk to the main entry way to the beach. You'll notice a small shack not too far from the ocean. It's nearby the Akumal dive center. Here, you can sign up for a guided snorkeling sea turtle tour. 

If you have your own gear you do not need a tour guide, but I recommend it. Getting a tour is somewhat of a waiting game. If a time slot is not available, you'll wait at the shack until a few more people sign up to get a group. Sometimes locals wander around asking, "Hey you want to snorkel?" 

Either way, expect to pay around $40USD. The guided tour includes gear and a life vest. The best part is that the tour starts and ends at the shack, so no long distance travel. The guide swims with a small life raft and takes the group around the buoys. Most tours will not let you swim with suntan lotion on. Listen to the guide and do not touch the sea turtles. The lotion and oil from our hands causes an allergic reaction on the turtle's skin. You'll  notice this on the tour where some turtles have goiters on their neck. 

Every tour is different and depends on the weather. I saw around 8 turtles where others have seen close to 20. They are so cute and will surface for air before heading back to the sea grass. 

Afterwards you can shower in the dive shop's shower in town. If not hang out til lunch. 

12:30pm - Lunch at Turtle Bay Cafe
This is my favorite restaurant in Akumal. The cutest part of this cafe are the colorful tables,
and the local stray cats that run around looking for food. I sort of wish I owned the place!

Each time my dad and I visited we both ordered a smoothie (they are about 24 ounces) and split a plate of guacamole. ​As you can tell, there is no shortage of American portions in Mexico. You will not leave hungry. I recommend the strawberry banana smoothie. The sun is interesting as it kills my appetite, but sometimes after being in the sun and swimming I'm starving once i get into the shade. I can't consume fried food in the heat so I recommend what we ordered below. It serves 2-3 people. 

1:45pm - Walk the Beach
After lunch, take a walk along Akumal's shoreline. It's the best digestion aide to get your metabolism going. Enjoy the gentle crashing of the waves as you pass various resort beach clubs. Toward the end of the hotel strip, the sand turns into rocks. I recommend bringing sandals or walking slowly to avoid sticks and stones nearly breaking your feet bones. Eventually, you'll notice a half "U" shape tree. This is the perfect tree for a selfie. 

2:45pm - Swim and Sunbathe
After a nice, long hot walk, take a dip during the peak of the heat. The pre-swim walk allows for your food to digest and now it's time to relax and enjoy the ocean. 

4:45pm - Ice Cream Snack at Lucy's Kitchen
Around 5pm, the beach loses sun since it moves behind the trees. This is a great time to pack up your stuff and head into the small beach town. Grab a homemade ice cream cone at Lucy's Kitchen. Located in Plaza Ukana, Lucy's Kitchen is a small street-side shop, similar to a grab-n-go establishment. There are a couple tables outside, but don't be shy, grab a scoop, or two, and start your shopping adventure. You can't go wrong the traditional chocolate or vanilla. 

5:15pm - Go Shopping
Since it's still too warm to eat, head to the beach market shops that are near Lucy's Kitchen, The Turtle Bay Cafe and nearby the beach entryway. You'll find everything from Mexican silver to sea-troves of cheap and really expensive gifts.

Sadly, the silver is American priced. I looked at a quarter-sized Mayan pendant that was quoted around $70-80 USD. The market stalls nearby the Turtle Bay Cafe sells handmade and traditional gifts that are cheaper in price.

If you love vanilla, stock up on some Mexican vanilla. Vanilla is sold at any mainstream gift shop or food market. Try El Pueblito Minisuper.   

You must go to MexicArte. The boutique-style shop features more modernized gifts, but not all gifts are indigenous to Mexico. You may find the occasional scarf made in India or China. 

For Mexican folk art, check out Galeria Lamanai. 

7:00pm - Dinner at El Ultimo Maya
If you want an affordable, local establishment head to El Ultimo Maya. Guests choose from a variety of fajita, quesadilla and taco options. Veggie options available. Here, you'll find nothing but authenticity. They offer heartier meals like lemon and Parmesan pasta (choose either veggies, meat or seafood) or plenty of sea-fare for the sailor to get his chops wet with king prawns, fish or ceviche.  

8:45pm - Drinks
Slog down an ice cold brew or fruity mai-tai at Tequillaville or La Buena Vida. These establishments are open later either til 10pm or 11pm respectively. 

Akumal is a quiet town unlike Playa del Carmen where people party until sunrise. 

10:30pm - Lights Out
Head back to your hotel, apartment or home and say goodnight to a very long and stressful day at the beach. 

What you do recommend to do in just one day in Akumal?

This Lemon Tree article is now featured on GPSmyCity.  To download this article for offline reading or travel directions to the attractions highlighted in this article, go to How to Spend 24 Hours in Akumal.  

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Tulum is a hippie-inspired town located at the south end of the Riviera Maya. Sadly, Tulum is nothing like it was back in the 90's where you could eat a smorgasbord of food for two dollars. Today, Tulum features a variety of international cuisine, some that will break your pocketbook. But, the good news is that there are plenty of local establishments still around. Tulum is evolving to an international foodie paradise, so where ever you go, go hungry. My dad and I explored Tulum with no preconceived notions. And these are my favorite little places that we stumbled upon during our stay.   

Vegans and vegetarians alike will have no problem finding something to meet their demands. It is easier to be vegetarian than vegan, so if you are one of those flexible-vegans, it's well worth it to experience the local flavor.

El Gourmet
El Gourmet is an award-winning Trip Advisor favorite. I stumbled across this place as my dad and I met a newly-wed American couple who said this is one of the best rated restaurants on Trip Advisor. And damn. They were right. The caprese sandwich is a vegetarian favorite and the slight drizzle of olive oil and italian herbs takes an old recipe to a whole new level. The baguette, soft yet firm and chewy, is the best you'll ever experience outside of Europe. Visitors can choose from a variety of European delicatessens and cheeses. I recommend the soy chai latte. 

El Vegetariano
Located off the main drag, El Vegetariano is the perfect place for a healthy meal. Even if you love meat, don't skip this restaurant just because of the name. In fact, my dad (meat guy) loved the hearty vegetarian pasta so much that we ate here twice. The vibe is exactly what you'd expect from a vegetarian restaurant. Part indoor, part outdoor, free-flowing tree huggers wearing bohemian pants hang here morning, day and night. Every meal comes with chips and SPICY salsa. Buyer's beware for those who can't handle spice. 

Mateo's
Mateo's is a Mexican bar and grill located near the shore. Most seating is on the main level, but there is an upper level deck where guests enjoy the sunset. Surrounded by graffiti and tiled walls, the vibe suits anyone looking to relax with a drink or some tacos. The portions are hearty and I recommend the pineapple coconut smoothie. It's literally paradise in a cup, and the "coolest" drink in Tulum. It's so amazing that I recreated it without honey to put in my cookbook. Don't be shy and try the vegetarian burger or burrito. The portions require you to unbuckle your bathing suit, but it's well worth it. 

Antojitos la Chiapaneca
This local favorite is one of the most popular restaurants in downtown Tulum. This is a place where you find true locals. The tacos are so cheap, I think a vegetarian taco cost around 7 pesos or 50-ish cents. And for seven pesos don't expect luxury but the furnishings that would supply your college balcony. The lines can be long, but the staff are quick. In the front, you'll notice a pork-turning spit topped with a pineapple, that a guy carves and plays tricks with the pieces of pineapple. Once you get your tacos, you can fix it up with various types of salsas and dressings. 

Local Fruit Markets
In downtown Tulum, you'll find several fruit and vegetable stands. Some stands are small that smell minimal items like bananas and tomatoes, where others are actual markets. You'll find a stand on the opposite side of the street of, and nearby Antojitos la Chiapaneca.   

La Hoja Verde
Formally known as Pachelle, this vegetarian restaurant serves a combination of western, middle eastern and Mexican cuisine. Whether you want a light fare such as hummus with a green juice or something dense like a veggie burger, there are plenty of selections for a feast or famine appetite. 

La Fournee
This small little bakery is one that I recommend for baguettes, bread and chocolate croissants. I visited here often for baked goods for next morning's breakfast.  For a slice of Paris, try one of the sweet, chocolate crepes. 

Thai Tulum
Now, this is not the most epic Thai food you'll ever eat in your life, but for Mexico it's pretty good. When you stay in the RM for three weeks, there are only so many bean burritos and pico de gallo cups one can eat. Trick your palate with eastern fusion for a good, hearty alternative to carbo-load for tomorrow's day at the beach. It's tasty, affordable and simple, like it's decor. 

Restaurant Don Cafeto
If you love spicy pico, pickled vegetables and live music, head downtown to Don Cafeto. This restaurant is open from breakfast to late-night dinner. They offer various vegetarian options, but is certainly a meat-dominated restaurant. I LOVED the flan. Nothing quit fits the local vibe more than a slice of flan accompanied by local musicians. Arriba! 

Mezzanine Thai Restaurant & Martini Bar
Mezzanine is a deck bar and restaurant inside of a luxury boutique hotel that overlooks the ocean and the beach. The cool views and chic vibes make it an ideal mid-afternoon coffee (or margarita) pause (as the Germans say). The ambient music inspires the sunny atmosphere, and if you're lucky a live DJ will play some down-tempo beats. The overpriced menu mainly serves Thai along with some local favorites like tacos, guacamole and plenty of meat options like cerviche. Like anywhere in the world, you get what you pay for, and here, you definitely pay for the view. 

What's your favorite spot in Tulum? There are so many vegan and veg-friendly places in Tulum that you'll have no problem finding food that suits your palate. 

This Lemon Tree article is now featured on GPSmyCity.  To download this article for offline reading or travel directions to the attractions highlighted in this article, go to 10 Foodie Spots for Vegetarians in Tulum, Mexico. 
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