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)

Visiting Serbia: Tips & Tricks You Should Know Before Taking The Plunge

Visiting Serbia: Tips & Tricks You Should Know Before Taking The Plunge

Serbia’s candidacy for European Union membership has created added interest in the numerous attractions of this geographically diverse country and is expected to lead to increased tourism in the area. Visitors to this scenic region will enjoy the picturesque villages and resorts located in the mountainous areas of Serbia, the beautiful Danube River and the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the capital city of Belgrade. From cycling tours along the Danube Bike Trail to the picturesque wine routes in rural Serbia, destination holidays in Serbia are an ideal way to explore this historic area.

The Best Beach near Dublin - Silver Strand in Wicklow, Ireland

The Best Beach near Dublin - Silver Strand in Wicklow, Ireland

Ireland is best known for spectacular cliffs, endless green meadows, hundreds of sheep, ubiquitous pubs and of course, above all - Guinness. A beach is something that never comes to mind when you think about things to see in the Emerald Island. However, it’s good to know some nice place where you can relax and enjoy your time when the sun actually appears and chases away the gray cloud cover. During such a rare event, when you visit Dublin, you'll probably notice the masses escaping to Howth, Bray or the city beaches such as Portmarnock. They are all nice locations, however there are no sandy beaches in Howth and Bray and the ones in the north of the capital are long and endless with unimaginable crowds and murky water.

But what if we told you that we discovered a hidden little beach that is mostly known only among locals and it’s not worse than the beaches surrounded by cliffs in countries like Portugal?

Charyn Canyon, Kazakhstan - Unknown Alternative to the Grand Canyon

Charyn Canyon, Kazakhstan - Unknown Alternative to the Grand Canyon

Charyn Canyon, although completely unknown in the west, is probably the biggest attraction of Almaty region and maybe the whole country of Kazakhstan. It is way smaller than its famous counterpart – the Grand Canyon, however this fact doesn’t make it a less exciting place to visit. The canyon is located where two huge climate zones clash - between the barren Altyn Emel desert and the massive, lush green Tien Shan mountain range. From the red rocky cliffs of the canyon, you can spot the snow-covered peaks in the distance.

Things You Must Not Miss in Scotland

Things You Must Not Miss in Scotland

Scotland is the second largest country in the United Kingdom coalition formed in 1707 and is located north of England. Scotland is endowed with natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, making it a very popular tourist destination. It is known for friendly and lively cities and millions of people world wide have Scottish roots as their ancestors migrated from Scotland in the 18th and 19th centuries due to conflicts. The famous game of golf was created by Scots and Scotland boasts of owning some world class golf courses.Scotland has three different types of terrain, the highlands, the lowlands and the flat lands.

Is There Anything in Pisa, Italy Besides the Leaning Tower?

Is There Anything in Pisa, Italy Besides the Leaning Tower?

Everyone comes to Pisa to see one of the world's most famous attractions - the Leaning Tower. While it's an extremely popular destination, we didn't choose Pisa because we wanted to visit the tower. We went there because it turned out to be the best (and cheapest) gateway to the beautiful region of Italy - Tuscany, where you can find: Cinque Terre, Florence and other, less known destinations like Siena and a charming medieval town built on a steep cliff - Pitigliano. But as we already were in Pisa, we decided to give it a go and find out if this little town had anything else in its offer.

Llogara Pass, Dhermi and Vlora - Albanian Riviera, Part 3

Llogara Pass, Dhermi and Vlora - Albanian Riviera, Part 3

Dhermi and Llogara Pass all the way to the town of Vlora were the last points on our itinerary along the Albanian riviera. Going North, we left behind Ksamil, Blue Eye Spring, Himare and my favorite, hidden beaches in Albania - Jala and Ghipe. We already knew Albania is a paradise for those who love unspoiled nature and we just wanted to relax for the last part of the journey. And once more, this little unknown country had another surprise for us - the unbelievable mountainous views all the way to the turquoise, tropical looking Ionian Sea.

Salvador, Bahia, Brazil - The City of Lively Vibes and Colors is even Better than Rio!

Salvador, Bahia, Brazil - The City of Lively Vibes and Colors is even Better than Rio!

Salvador city is the capital of the Bahia state in the North East of Brazil. While it's nothing less attractive than Rio, it gets way fewer tourists and thanks to that, it's easier to feel the local, Brazilian mixed with African influences way of life there. It's one of the oldest colonial cities in South America, founded by the Portuguese in he 16th century. With the spectacular carnivals, it's also believed to be the birthplace of Brazilian culture. You can experience that while strolling down the beautiful, charming streets of the old historical center - Salvador, no doubt has one of the most beautiful old historical centers in Brazil!

Zanjice Beach and Blue Cave, Montenegro

Zanjice Beach and Blue Cave, Montenegro

A "Blue Cave" is a popular attraction in many countries - I visited one in Greece, in Malta or Brazil (click on the links to see my posts). Montenegro is less known in the West and not as famous as other popular destinations but it's good to know that this tiny Balkan country also has its own, beautiful Blue Cave. Although the most visited attractions of Montenegro are the spectacular Kotor Bay and the peculiar (and extremely expensive) St. Stephan's Island, the Blue Cave is also a cool place to see, especially when combined with the charming town of Herceg Novi (take a look at my post about it) and the nearby Zanjice beach.

Graffiti and street art in Costa Rica

Graffiti and street art in Costa Rica

Tropical nature - this is what attracts. Costa Rica, unfortunately, lacks the old, colorful colonial towns like those in Nicaragua, Mexico or Brazil. Therefore, its capital - San Jose, although being the only metropolitan area in the country, is the least visited spot on Costa Rica's tourist map. San Jose is also a jungle, but in a different sense of the word. It's a concrete jungle - and not too pleasant for visitors who are used to beautiful architecture, pristine European old towns or other colonial, vibrant villages.

San Jose is also dirty, and I mean, really dirty. The rubbish rot in between the streets, the plastic bags fly grabbed by the wind - pollution is obvious everywhere, even in the very city center. So why on Earth would anyone want to visit this city? Is there really nothing that it can offer?

Is Cape Town Safe? Visiting South Africa's Most Popular City

Is Cape Town Safe? Visiting South Africa's Most Popular City

Cape Town, South Africa's most famous city is extremely popular among visitors flocking to this beautiful country - especially that it's surrounded by nice beaches from one side, and from the other - spectacular (although not too high) mountains offering some amazing hike opportunities.

However, what I've noticed is that many of the Westerners tend to see mostly the "posh" places around the city, such as the lavish waterfront, luxurious coastline or the most recognizable landmark - the table mountain. These spots are amazing indeed, but what about the very center of Cape Town? What's it like there? Why is it often omitted? How do the ordinary locals get by with their lives? And - the most important thing - is it safe to visit?