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)

Bucharest, Romania - The Real "Paris of the East"

Bucharest, Romania - The Real "Paris of the East"

Bucharest was the last place on our itinerary in Romania, before heading more east - to the mysterious and least visited capital in Europe - Chisinau (soon I'll write a post about it). Unfortunately, this time we didn't have a chance to make it to the Romania's Black Sea coast resort city - Constanta.

After visiting somehow fairy tale-like scenery and medieval towns of Transylvania, Bucharest seemed a lot different. More rough, grey and heavy. Hundreds of concrete blocks everywhere, landscape filled with brutalist architecture. But there is one place in Bucharest that lets you escape the gloomy, communist atmosphere - the Old Town. Many cities have been called the "Paris of the East" - Warsaw, Beirut or Budapest. However, Bucharest Old Town is the one that truly resembles the French capital the most, in my opinion.

8 Things You Did Not Know About the Island of Malta

8 Things You Did Not Know About the Island of Malta

Malta is an absolute gem in the Mediterranean, visited by millions every year and offering a unique holiday experience to travellers from around the world. The island is not only beautiful, but also rich in culture and offers great cuisines to try.
Malta offers more than beautiful beaches and perfect weather. There are actually a lot of interesting things about this island nation and its place in the European Union. That is why we are going to take a look at the 8 things you didn’t know about Malta in this article.
 

What to see in Panama City, Panama - Contrast Between Old and New

What to see in Panama City, Panama - Contrast Between Old and New

Typing "Panama City" in an image search engine will give you multiple results showing extremely modern and attractive skyline filled with a forest of impressive skyscrapers. Indeed, Panama City has the largest number of skyscrapers in Latin America and the view over the horizon is spectacular without a doubt. However, looking more deeply, the city is not as perfect. Often, the sidewalks between the glass high-rise buildings are damaged and some wires and other objects protrude directly from the ground. The pollution is another issue.

Nevertheless, Panama City is an interesting capital to visit, unlike some other cities in the region - such as San Jose in Costa Rica (take a look at my post about San Jose). Not many people know that Panama City, apart from the skyscrapers, also has a historical district called Casco Viejo which is an equivalent of an "Old Town". The architecture here is beautiful, very colorful and more and more buildings are renovated in a hope of bringing more life and tourists into this forgotten former heart of the city.

Driving the Amalfi Coast by Motorbike

Driving the Amalfi Coast by Motorbike

The Amalfi Coast in Italy is becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in the West, with its beautifully surreal, yet entirely real, stunning coast and spectacular vistas. 
A 50 kilometre stretch of stacked houses, deep turquoise sea and pristine sandy beaches in the south of Italy is perfect for even the fussiest traveller. 
It is a delight to bikers who wish to see this glorious pocket of the planet on two wheels. So, here are our top tips for driving the Amalfi Coast by motorbike.

Kruger Park, South Africa - Big Five in One Day - An Honest Review

Kruger Park, South Africa - Big Five in One Day - An Honest Review

Kruger Park in South Africa is one of the largest wild game reserves on the African continent. One of the must-see places in South Africa where you can see multiple wild animals roaming around freely. Sounds great - nature at its best - but what it is really like in real life? In this post you will find an honest review of our experiences in the park - all the pros and cons, how we managed to visit it in just 2 days (traveling from Johannesburg) and how lucky we were to actually see the "Big Five" and much more in just one day!

Nordeste, Azores, Portugal - The Charming Village and Spectacular Coastline

Nordeste, Azores, Portugal - The Charming Village and Spectacular Coastline

Nordeste is a town and the north-eastern area of the Sao Miguel island in Azores. The name literally means "northeast" and it is exactly what it describes. The town of Nordeste is the center of the region which is incredibly picturesque - dotted with little villages, green fields, spectacular cliffs, waterfalls and multiple viewpoints. You can also find here the oldest and the only still functioning tea plantation in Europe.

The town of Nordeste has the extraordinary Portuguese architecture - typical for Azores with whitewashed buildings and black corners and window frames (see the post about Ponta Delgada - the capital). As I mentioned in the previous article about Furnas, the red roofs of the houses among green fields and high cliffs create such an unusual mix of the Irish countryside and some tropical, volcanic islands. Nordeste is perfect for a day trip - it's probably the least visited part of Azores.

Brava, Cape Verde - The Greenest and One of the Best Islands of the Archipelago

Brava, Cape Verde - The Greenest and One of the Best Islands of the Archipelago

Brava is the greenest, coolest and one of the smallest islands of the archipelago Cape Verde. It has its own micro-climate which makes it so unique. Most of the tourists tend to flock to the dry, sandy islands such as Sal or Boa Vista, but in my opinion the less known ones are way more interesting. And Brava was the one we liked the most. Contrary to Sal, in Brava, you won't see any crowds of tourists.

It's located right beside another pretty unique island with the infamous volcano in its center - Fogo (take a look at my post about Fogo to see the entire old village engulfed by lava and a new village with typical round houses made of volcanic rock built by the locals on top of the destroyed town). When you're in Fogo, don't miss Brava - it's so close and it feels like a completely different world! Brava does not have typical sandy beaches but it does have amazing cliffs, coastline, nature and pretty much the most picturesque towns in Cape Verde.

Is Beirut, Lebanon Safe? Visiting the Most Beautiful City in the Middle East

Is Beirut, Lebanon Safe? Visiting the Most Beautiful City in the Middle East

Beirut used to be called the "Paris" of the Middle East. But to be honest, after having visited both cities, it's way more interesting than the real Paris. Thanks to the diversity of various cultures, the city boasts influences from Europe and the Middle East. It is especially evident in the unique, golden architecture around the Nijmeh Square. Due to the city's sensitive location, this diversity is not only a blessing but, unfortunately also a curse. As recently as the 1990s, Beirut was heavily damaged by the Lebanese Civil War. Now it has been rebuilt and if it wasn't for the reputation of the region, Beirut would be as popular as all the other great cities on our planet. But is it safe to visit it now?

Koper and Strunjan - Mediterranean Town and Hidden Beach in Slovenia

Koper and Strunjan - Mediterranean Town and Hidden Beach in Slovenia

The town of Koper in Slovenia is rarely on anyone's itinerary. Initially, it wasn't on ours either. It was supposed to be simply the first point of entry into the country. Although it is not as spectacular as the neighboring  Piran (a must see when visiting Slovenia - it has the vibe and beauty of the extremely famous Dubrovnik), Koper still boasts the Mediterranean charm and the tiny Old Town covered with red brick roofs is similar to other towns along the Adriatic coast. Near Koper, we also found a little, secluded wild beach shielded by a large white cliff - it's completely off the beaten path and visited by locals only. What a nice surprise it was after the whole day of visiting!

How to Get to Big Almaty Lake, Kazakhstan - One of the World's Most Surreal Lakes

How to Get to Big Almaty Lake, Kazakhstan - One of the World's Most Surreal Lakes

Big Almaty Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes we've ever seen. If it was located somewhere in Europe, it would definitely be one of the most visited natural attractions, especially considering the fact how easy it is to reach it. However, because it is in the high mountains of the country that no one cares about - Kazakhstan, hardly anyone even heard about it. But if you love off the beaten path places, you'll love Kazakhstan. And Big Almaty lake will be one of the highlights of this vast and rich in spectacular natural wonders country. But although it's so close to the largest city in Kazakhstan - Almaty - and getting there is not a problem, it's quite tricky because it has been closed off for tourists by the government. So, how to get there?