10 latest experiences http://www.hereorthere.com/members/sarahe en-us The lovely little medieval city of Bruges, near the Belgian coast, is like a grown-up winter wonderland. With chocolate shops on every corner, an ice rink in the main square, more beer than you can fathom and lovely little cobbled streets wending their way over canals, it just doesn't get more picture-perfect than this. You can stroll through the outdoor markets, sip hot spiced wine with mittened hands and even explore a world made of ice with sculptures carved by top artists from all over the world. It may sound a bit twee but actually the city is endlessly charming. Yes, piped christmasy music plays around the clock on several of the main streets and touristy shops crowd around the main squares, but take a few steps away from the bustling centre and you'll come across a plethora of family-owned businesses with a truly authentic feel. Beer halls in Bruges are traditional affairs with dark wood panelling, roaring fires and often more than 300 varieties to choose from. Each brew ha... Brugge, Belgium SarahE Fri, 25 May 2007 13:35:42 +0100 http://www.hereorthere.com/members/sarahe/experience/97 http://www.hereorthere.com/experiences/97 In over 20 years of living in the San Francisco Bay Area I'd never been to Alcatraz – in fact, I'd never even considered it. In true, "superior local" fashion I had quietly smirked whenever visiting friends suggested making the trip. Alcatraz or, "the rock" as it's affectionately known, seemed like an offensive tourist trap, not dissimilar to the hideous Pier 39 (Fisherman's Wharf) from where the ferries to the old prison depart. So when, at the age of 25, I found myself aboard a ferry, chugging swiftly toward the island, smack in the middle of San Francisco bay, I couldn't quite believe I'd let myself get duped into it. At least the ride was beautiful, i thought to myself as i admired the Golden Gate bridge spanning the bay to the west. With my expectations about as low as they could possibly get, I disembarked and climbed up the hill to the prison buildings, which perch on top of the small rocky islet. Enterting the fortified stone structure with a crowd of school children I ... San Francisco, United States SarahE Fri, 25 May 2007 13:20:07 +0100 http://www.hereorthere.com/members/sarahe/experience/95 http://www.hereorthere.com/experiences/95 Marrakech, Morocco SarahE Thu, 24 May 2007 15:49:04 +0100 http://www.hereorthere.com/members/sarahe/experience/88 http://www.hereorthere.com/experiences/88 The Amalfi coast, Italy's riviera, is stunning: deep blue ocean dotted with sparkling white yachts, craggy scrub-covered cliffs and tiny towns clinging to the hillsides. But the experience i really took away from this trip was my time on the road - the famed Amalfi Drive. What a wild ride! Already a little wary of Italian drivers, we had planned to bus it up and down the coast road, hopping between the tiny towns and coves. After consulting the timetables (or lack thereof) we thought better of that plan and found ourselves a car. The cheapest option was, unsurprisingly, a smart car, those little two seater bubbles with only about 6 inches of space between the back of your seat and the bumper. So we said a silent prayer and went for it. Zooming along the tarmac later, crumbling cliffs on our left and sheer drops to the right, we wrestled for space with whirring vespas, the radio turned up and the salty wind blowing in our faces. And when we saw two monstrous public buses slowing... Amalfi, Italy SarahE Thu, 24 May 2007 13:37:25 +0100 http://www.hereorthere.com/members/sarahe/experience/87 http://www.hereorthere.com/experiences/87