For this post we came up with the idea of sharing with you guys some of our favorite places in the world. If you ever decide to explore them, don’t forget to write us and tell us what you think about them and, as always, don’t hesitate to add any personal recommendations to share with theDIHEDRAL community !
Carrot’s Selections
The location: Sedona Arizona
I wanted to give some advice about a place that I have a certain amount of privileged information on, Sedona most certainly fits that description. I’m lucky enough to have a Mom that lives in one of the most beautiful places in the world, and so going for a visit is always accompanied by serene red rock vistas, and world-class hiking. Being limited to two places to visit and one place to eat makes this a difficult challenge, but here are my recommendations.
Place #1: Cathedral Rock at sunset.
Because this hike isn’t included in a red rock day-pass, a lot of the tourists don’t spend the extra money to make the trek. But sunset at Cathedral rock is priceless. Watching the sun drop below the saddle of this iconic backdrop with the Oak Creek babbling all around you is the essence of tranquility, harmony and balance.
Place #2: Slide Rock State Park
Yeah, it’s a state park and, and yeah it’s overrun with tourists, but there is a reason that Slide Rock is so popular…this place is FUN. There’s a natural water slide running through the canyon, that drops you right into a red rock pool surrounded by mountains and forest that seem to go on for as far as the eye can see! I can’t think of anything better than cooling off on a natural rockslide in 95 degree Arizona heat after soaking up the sun on an epic climb and/or hike.
Noms:
Why settle for five stars when you could have five billion? My recommendation is to pack some food for a hike and eat amongst the gods in a place so beautiful that no restaurant in the world could hold a match to (any hike in Sedona should do the trick). The question then to be asked is what food should I pack? And there is only one answer: bread pudding from the Desert Flour Bakery. I try not to swear too often on theDIHEDRAL, but holy F@CK! To make their bread pudding The Desert Flour uses the left over baked goods. If you have never tried bread pudding composed of cherry Danish and sweetbread, then you have not lived. In addition, since the leftovers always change so too does the recipe. If you ever do in fact make it to this non-assuming bakery make sure to get there early, because as the locals know the Bread Pudding does not last long!
1. Mountain Project: Climb Sedona
Sarah’s Selections
Location: New Orleans
I spend a lot of my free time and vacation time down in the big easy. It is always worth the six hour drive down the terrible I-10. But as soon as I smell the sweet gritty scent of the streets I can’t help but feel at home.
As an avid visitor I’ve come accustomed to eating and breathing like a local. Too many places to eat with too many tasty things. But my number one spot in all of the French Quarter would have to be NOLA poboys. I stumbled across this joint one late July night at the end of bourbon street and fell in love. Cheap and hearty. These plates are exactly what I think of when I think of the big easy.
I’ve seen pretty much all there is to see in New Orleans. But there’s two places you are always bound to see me at. One: Beckham’s bookstore, this three story bookstore sold some of the oldest books I own and as low as one dollar a piece. I never walk out of there with less than ten books.
Now some of you are probably thinking, I don’t want to go sight seeing at a book store. Well my other stop would be the tree of life! Right next to the zoo. And my god is she a beauty. Branches laying as low to the ground, with a trunk about six arms lengths round.
Whatever you choose to see on your stop here, there’s no way you will ever be disappointed!!
Laissez le bon temps rouler!!!
Gaia’s Selections
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
The last time I went to Mexico City I was 16 years old but it impacted me so deeply, I had to select this place for our group post. I know it has been a while since I have visited but my relationship with the city has lived on. My family members currently live there and it has been a way of keeping me updated on the “it” places and the traditional locations to visit.
Place #1: Teotihuacan Pyramids
You cannot go to the State of Mexico and not visit the famous Mesoamerican pyramids of the Sun and Moon. I have to point out that it is a post that attracts a lot of tourists, so you have to come to terms with the fact that it will most likely be packed. However; it is worth checking them out and appreciate a part of the once grandiose ancient Mesoamerican city of Teotihuacan. The pyramids are located approx. 25 miles from Mexico City.
Place #2: Catedral Metropolitana de la Ciudad de Mexico
Visit a cathedral built between the 16th and 19th century, famous for being built on top of an Aztec sacred precinct. Also, you will be able to see how the building has progressively sank with the years.
Noms:
Recommendation from my brother… Taqueria El Califa at Paseo de la Reforma. Cozy place for late-night tacos, craft beers, and friend or family fun.
Thank you for reading,
thedihedral.com 
I love that you chose a bookstore! Some of my favorite places on the planet!
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Well I’m biased. Cape Town, South Africa, we have oceans and mountains to hike and climb….You can’t spend less than a week here if you want to see everything….but you have to ‘save water like a local’ too as we are currently going through a drought and our dams are 24% capacity.
For climbing (besides Cape Town & Montagu), there’s Waterval Boven in Mpumalanga
http://www.climbing.co.za/wiki/Waterval_Boven
For the greenest canyon in the World – you can’t hike Blyde River Canyon without doing the Panorama Route too
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blyde_River_Canyon
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I am sold…I need to make that trip happen!!!
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I am also – Anchorage Alaska. Visit the sites within a 50 to 100 mile radius. And go in June and July when it’s light out most of the time. They don’t call it the Last Frontier for nothing
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Loved Sedona!
Two of my faves are Moab/Indian Creek (too obvious?) and Tofino, British Columbia. Couldn’t have chosen two more opposite places but they’re both so beautiful with a lifetime of adventures to be had! ❤ ❤
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Super suggestions. Sedona area is a beauty. For those who aren’t lucky enough to have a relative in the area, there is a good boondock (free BLM) site off AZ Route 260 at Thousand Trails Rd. Go right on Thousand Trails road, go 1/4 mile, then left on FR 147A. There are many flat areas to camp.
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Awesome recommendation astrowx…you rock!
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Absolutely definitely the pyramids!
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Excellent suggestions! I have heard that New Orleans is a place that simply must be experienced at least once in life, I’m looking forward to hopefully getting there! Favorite place I’ve visited is Monkey Land in the Dominican Republic – highly suggest checking it out if ever planning to visit Punta Cana.
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Great post – next climb should be west….Alberta Rockies!
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All great ideas! Makes me want to go back to New Orleans!
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Delicious tacos along side a craft beer sounds like an amazing way to end a night!
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What interesting choices you made! I haven’t visited them (yet) so I take notes and …make a wish or more 😉
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Omg! How was it when you visited Louisiana? I love the language down there! I wanted to actually go there for Mardi Gras but birth day is in Nov and Mardi Gras is in Feb. When do you suggest the best time to go
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There is not a bad day to be there!!! It gets pretty hot in the summer, and spring is really beautiful, so maybe Feb-April? But really anytime will be a blast!
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Thank you so much I might go in April I’ll be on vacation then ♡
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I really want to do the Sedona hikes you mentioned! Thanks for a great post.
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Oh yeah, of course NorCAl Zen…you would love them. There is also a Stuppa right in town surrounded by the red rocks that is really something worth visiting! I’m sure you would love it!
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Will definitely look into that!
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Uh oh. Cell phone at the table. [Throws penalty flag].
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You just expanded my bucket list 😉
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Yay, Sarah, for including a bookstore! I can never pass up a good one anywhere I travel.
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Sedona is truly magical! Hope to get back again one day and check out that evening hike. You must get to Banff and Jasper if you haven’t been. Awe-inspiring!
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Most definitely on the list Linda, hopefully sooner than later!
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While in Mexico City, it’s always worth checking out the anthropology museum. I tend to get stuck in the Toltec and Olmec sections and there is still a lot I haven’t seen.
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