Atalanti is one of the most popular trails in Cyprus Atalanti trail is the second highest in Cyprus after Artemis and one of the most beautiful on Troodos Mountain. Cyprus may not be a popular hiking destination but truth is that it has some excellent trails extending from easy to moderate difficulty which are perfect…
Just east of the imposing High Tatras—Slovakia’s proudest mountain range, on top of a lofty hill, lies the mighty Spis Castle. Though a ruin today, the castle’s strength is still evident on its thick walls and rugged towers. Vast in size it occupies most of the hill casting its shadow on the nearby village of…
Hiking is one of the healthiest and most relaxing activities there is. It’s a great way to get out of your routine, relief stress effectively and improve your mental health while getting some great exercise. Consequently, it’s one of the few things on this world that can improve your overall health and quality of life…
Dunquin If a distillation came out of Ireland — its pure essence concentrated in a single place, that would be Dunquin. The next parish to America, as they used to call it, is the westernmost village of the Irish mainland, right on the tip of Dingle peninsula where the prolific green of the meadows is…
Irish Mountains Talking about mountains in Ireland, might sound a bit ironic since the emerald island is famous for its endless green flats more than anything else. Truth is that Ireland not only has mountains but they also present a great opportunity for people to be introduced to mountaineering (this hiking guide can help) and…
Less than three hours driving north of Bucharest, behind the mighty Carpathians, lies the city of Brasov—one of the seven walled citadels the Saxons built in Transylvania when it was under Hungarian rule. Transylvanian Saxons who were of German ethnicity, had the fame of expert craftsmen and tradesmen, so as soon as they settled the…
Sibiu is a picturesque medieval city located in the renowned Romanian region of Transylvania. The city’s historical center, which holds most of the interest, lies on the east bank of Cibin river and is divided into the pastel colored Lower town and the more strict and upper class, you guessed it, Upper town. Hermannstadt—as Sibiu…
Cemeteries more often than not, tend to cast a shadow on people’s hearts. No other site is so emotionally attached to humans and the bitter pill they have to swallow from the first day they come into this world — death. So, how can something that reflects our mortality be so calm and beautiful at…
Cork is known for many things—Murphy’s Irish stout and the rivalry with Dublin among others—the former probably contributing to the latter. It’s an Irish city full of character, with a beautiful island in the center which is surrounded by the channels of River Lee. As a teen I knew Cork because of one of its…
I was eager to see Bucharest for the first time but on the same time I wasn’t sure what to expect. Romania is not entirely in Balkans, nor is completely a central European country. Historically it was part of the Eastern Bloc but after a certain point it kept its distance from Moscow. All these…
The trail to Chata Plesnivec is one of the “short”, albeit pleasing, trails in High Tatras. The fact that its biggest part cuts through dense forest makes it the perfect route for the, often harsh, Slovak summer days. As a…
On the mouth of Mlynicka valley, at the foothills of west High Tatras, rests Slovakia’s most popular mountain retreat, the glacial lake of Strbske or Strbske Pleso as it is widely known. Surrounded by huge Norway spruces and tall firs,…
An early heat wave that hit Greece last June has claimed five lives, including the famous British journalist Michael Mosley, and with another three people missing the death toll may rise. Sadly, it is not the first time that tourists…
When it comes to hiking in Slovakia, people tend to overlook the Low Tatras in favor of their more adventurous and popular siblings, the High Tatras. The Slovakian mini Alps indeed have an appeal to hikers and mountaineers because of…
Known by everyone and roamed by few, the legendary Mt. Olympus may not be a popular destination, but it is one of the few big mountains in Europe where, at least on weekdays, one can still hike in peace and…
Deep in the heart of Cyprus and away from its blazing coastal line, the luxuriant forest of Machairas thrives against the arid climate of the subtropical Mediterranean island. Especially known to the Christian world for the homonymous monastery that was…