Tom L
What it's like to fly during COVID-19 pandemic ...

Unfortunately, the year 2020 has been the worst of all for all those who loved or had to travel. Many airlines went bankrupt as well as other travel companies. It was the first year when we didn’t travel at all until now. Recently, some flights have resumed and some restrictions eased. However, we can never be sure if that doesn’t change in the near future. In this post I will describe what it’s like to fly during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. I also want to add that the flight I took was not for leisure or vacation.

What it's like to fly during COVID-19 pandemic restrictions
Tom L
How to Visit National Parks in the US if You ...

Ever wanted to visit the magnificent National Parks of the western USA? That might be complicated if you can't drive or don't have too much time. However, there is one solution - we have visited 8 of the most important National Parks in 9 days - yes it was rushed and exhausting, but the experience was unreal. Here's how we did it with all the pros and cons.

It was always my dream to see the Grand Canyon and the other exceptionally magnificent National Parks and canyons in Utah and Arizona, such as: Bryce, Antelope Canyon, Arches and Monument Valley. Finally, having had visited nearly 70 countries, I planned a trip to the USA. We didn’t have too much time - only 9 days and we couldn’t drive. So, the only option was, as a last resort, an organized tour. Something we always try to avoid. How did it go? How much did it cost? Was it efficient? What were the downsides and upsides of such a journey?

How to Visit National Parks in the US if You Don't Drive and Don't Have Too Much Time
Tom L
Best Hike in Slovenian Alps - Triglav Lakes ...

Slovenia is mostly known for the amazing lake Bled. Few actually know what this tiny country hides one of the most spectacular Alpine valleys - the Triglav Lakes valley. The purest rivers and mountainous lakes surrounded by silver rocky peaks and karst formations can be found here. Don’t miss this incredible hiking trail - stay a few days more in Slovenia and enjoy the best of what nature has to offer. Contrary to similar places of this sort in neighboring countries (Italy, Austria, Croatia), you won’t find crowds here - therefore the whole area seems even more enjoyable. In this post I’ll describe the trail and how we got here from lake Bled and continued onwards to the Soca River valley.

Best Hike in Slovenian Alps - Triglav Lakes Valley (part 1)
Tom L
What You Must Know Before Traveling to Egypt in ...

Are you wondering if it's safe to travel to Egypt? Besides the amazing ancient monuments and great fun, these are the not so great things you must be aware of before traveling to Egypt. It's better to be prepared rather than disappointed.

I traveled to nearly 70 countries before Egypt, therefore I’d had some expectations and thought I had prepared myself mentally before visiting the lands of pharaoh. Nevertheless, many things still managed to surprise me in Egypt. The following part is based on my subjective experiences and may differ from what others experienced. However, I would like to share what it was like to follow the trail of ancient Egyptians - from Cairo down to the Sudanese border. I haven’t been to the resorts, so I can’t comment on that.

What You Must Know Before Traveling to Egypt in 2020
Tom L
How to get to Uvac River Canyon, Serbia (if you ...

A couple of years back, we visited the Serbian capital - Belgrade. And to be honest, it wasn't my favorite city in the Balkans - you can read my post here. This year, we decided to go back and rediscover Serbia again. Not only did we give Balgrade another chance but also wanted to see some other places in this little Balkan country. One of them was the beautiful Uvac River Canyon - a place that can be tricky to get to and is virtually unknown among tourists outside of Serbia. In this article I'll focus mainly on how to reach the Uvac River Canyon by public transport (if you cannot drive). I will also show the exact points of the maps where to start the hike if you have your own car and where the best viewpoints are.

How to get to Uvac River Canyon, Serbia (if you don't drive)

South America

Rivers And Waterfalls of Chapada Diamantina National Park, Brazil

Rivers And Waterfalls of Chapada Diamantina National Park, Brazil

Chapada Diamantina National Park is perfect for those who love wild, untouched nature and off the beaten path places with virtually no tourists. Besides the world's class wonders such as spectacular caves with clear blue waters where you can swim as well as table mountains covered with cactuses and succulents, Chapada Diamantina offers in no way less impressive rivers and waterfalls. During our 3-day stay in this beautiful National Park, we had a chance to explore quite a lot, however, there's so much more to see and in this post you'll see only a fraction of what you can expect. Nevertheless, those 3 days were more than enough to fall in love with Chapada Diamantina!

Adventure in The Amazon, Brazil - Part 4 - One Day Around Manaus

Adventure in The Amazon, Brazil - Part 4 - One Day Around Manaus

The 4th, last part of the series of articles about The Amazon will be dedicated to all those who visit the city of Manaus and don't have too much time to spend in the jungle itself (or prefer an easier way to explore the area). And even those who have experienced the amazing adventure in the rain forest will be surprised how many things you can see around Manaus during just a one day trip. We were! You'll have a chance to see a native, local tribe, houses on water, beautiful lake covered with water lilies with plenty of wild birds and curious little monkeys. But the best highlight of the trip is swimming with pink dolphins!

Adventure In The Amazon, Brazil - Part 3 - The City Of Manaus

Adventure In The Amazon, Brazil - Part 3 - The City Of Manaus

The Amazon region is mainly known for adventurous tours exploring the wildlife, jungle treks and river boat/canoe trips. Literally nobody would come here to enjoy the city life. However, the capital of the Amazonas state in Brazil, although located right in the middle of the world's largest rain forest, is a real metropolis with over 2 million inhabitants. The city is basically isolated from the rest of the country which preserves the original culture of the native tribes and gives it the unique touch. And, of course it is the starting point and gateway to the rest of the truly exciting area of the Amazon in Brazil.

Iguaçu Falls, Brazil - Spectacular Natural Wonder At The Border Of Three Nations

Iguaçu Falls, Brazil - Spectacular Natural Wonder At The Border Of Three Nations

Right in the place where the borders of three countries (Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay) meet, lies a true natural gem for all those who love adventure and breathtaking scenery. Iguaçu Falls are righteously placed among the greatest and most spectacular waterfalls on the planet. They can easily compete with the famous Niagara Falls or Victoria Falls in Zambia/Zimbabwe. What is absolutely amazing about Iguaçu Falls is the fact that it's less commercialized than Niagara and you are literally surrounded by the miles of rain forests in the center of the national park. There are around 275 falls and cascades within the area creating nature's unforgettable spectacle that cannot be missed while visiting Brazil or Argentina!

Lençóis - Charming town in the heart of Chapada Diamantina National Park, Brazil

Lençóis - Charming town in the heart of Chapada Diamantina National Park, Brazil

Lençóis is a little, charming town in the middle of a large Natural Reserve - Chapada Diamantina National Park in the northern part of Brazil. Usually not visited by western tourists (in contrast to Rio de Janeiro), Chapada Diamantina is a proof that Brazil has much more to offer than Copacabana Beach. To get there, it is easy to catch a bus from the beautiful city of Salvador in Bahia. And then, Lençóis is usually the first step to visiting the vast swathes of The National Park. This cozy, quiet town with cobblestone streets and colonial architecture is as enjoyable as the spectacular highlights of the area: Blue Caves, waterfalls and magnificent table mountains. Especially after dark, when you can sit down in one of the restaurants or bars when you're back from the adventurous trips in the area.

Cuzco, Peru - The Capital of The Inca Empire

Cuzco, Peru - The Capital of The Inca Empire

Cuzco, Cusco or Quscu (in Quechua) is one of the most popular cities i Peru. It was the capital of The Inca Empire and some traces if its grandeur are still visible - both in Cuzco and in the surrounding areas. The city can boast a significant indigenous population and is a perfect gateway to one of the most famous sites of the ancient world - Machu Picchu. Surrounded by green mountains, located at over 3,400m (11,155 ft.) above the sea level, Cuzco has a very specific and original climate. Although most of the visitors head straight towards Machu Picchu, at least one full day spent in The Inca Empire capital is really worth it!

Adventure in The Amazon, Brazil - Part 2 - The Jungle

Adventure in The Amazon, Brazil - Part 2 - The Jungle

After spending all day canoeing down the rivers and streams of The Brazilian Amazon rainforest, piranha fishing and getting caught in the torrential rain (click here to read a full article about it), it's time to venture into the wild jungle. 2 days and nights in a dense forest - forget about even a simple hut, bed to sleep, running water or any other basic blessings of modern civilization. Out of around 20 people who were staying in the Amazon - only 5 decided to take a risk and join the jungle tour! And, although it's not comfortable in any way, I would definitely recommend it! Not everyday you have a chance to experience real wilderness!

Exploring The Caves of Chapada Diamantina National Park in Brazil

Exploring The Caves of Chapada Diamantina National Park in Brazil

Chapada Diamantina (literally "Diamond Plateau") National Park is not nearly as famous as the coastal parts of Brazil. However, it's not less impressive. Deep inland, surrounded by table mountains, semi-deserts, canyons, gorges and ravines, the region hides one of the most beautiful caves in the world. Two of them - "Blue Pool" and "Enchanted Pool" - are filled with crystal clear, intensively blue waters. The other, "Torrinha Cave", one of the biggest and most impressive in Brazil boasts with huge chambers full of cave formations and to walk it through takes around 2 hours.

The sea, The beach and The natural pools among coral reef - Porto de Galinhas, Brazil

The sea, The beach and The natural pools among coral reef - Porto de Galinhas, Brazil

Around 60 kilometers (37 miles) south from Recife, the capital of Pernambuco state in Brazil, lies the beach town of Porto de Galinhas. The beach nearby is believed to be one of the country's most beautiful - this is obviously because the numerous pools shaped naturally by sea waters among the stunning coral reefs that surrounds the coast.

Porto de Galinhas is very popular in terms of tourism, however mainly with Brazilians. When I was there, I didn't encounter any foreigners who usually, when traveling to Brazil go only to Rio de Janeiro. Also, very rarely people spoke English. This situation might change however after the 2014 FIFA world cup as Recife is one of the cities hosting the games.

Adventure in The Amazon, Brazil - Part 1 - The River

Adventure in The Amazon, Brazil - Part 1 - The River

If you are searching for a relaxing, quiet vacation with five start hotels, swimming pools and great comfort, then definitely don't go to the Amazon. Although it is possible to stay in a highly luxurious resort where even some celebrities stay for an astronomical amount of money, I believe that the Amazon is not about comfort. It's about experiencing the raw nature.

This trip was one of those that I enjoyed the most even if it was an organized tour by a travel agency. People who travel to the Amazon are usually very down to Earth and easy going, not afraid to "get dirty", I met some cool friends there. And, it was one of the best adventures of my life.