Posts by Chrisostomos Kamberis
Chata Plesnivec: A Mild Hike in High Tatras
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 bonus, its moderate length and low elevation gain mean it’s a great trail for kids,…
Read MoreStrbske Pleso: Slovakia’s Most Astonishing Glacial Lake
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, with the bright red September pomes of an occasional rowan tree popping out of the…
Read MoreHeat Stroke: How Not To Turn Holidays Into a Nightmare
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 have lost their lives due to hyperthermia, one of the most tragic being the death…
Read MoreHiking The Scenic Chopok Loop in Low Tatras
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 their way steeper and more demanding peaks. But, the Low Tatras have also much to…
Read MoreOlympus: Trails of the Mythical Mountain
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 quiet, away from the big crowds. The mythical mountain and alleged home of the Greek…
Read MoreHiking the Alluring Kionia – Profitis Ilias Trail in Cyprus
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 built there in the 12th century, this eastern part of Troodos mountain range is uniquely…
Read MoreA Trip to Kinsale and The Old Head Peninsula in Ireland
I’d never intended to visit Kinsale, but more times than not, unexpected encounters prove to be the most fruitful. Wandering around the gloomy city of Cork for a couple of days, I was scouting the county for a gripping seascape to shoot, and my research eventually led me to Old Head of Kinsale at the…
Read MoreHigh Tatras: The Winter Trail to Teryho Chata
Deep in the Small Cold valley, resting at the edge of a cirque, Teryho chata has been weathering the abrupt summer storms and blinding winter blizzards of High Tatras for more than a century. Built in 1899, by the Hungarian Carpathian Association, this mountain refuge was named after the doctor and avid climber Edmund Tery,…
Read MoreBratislava: The First Snow
The forecast said it was going to snow, and indeed, thick flakes had started to fall with the first light of the day. I was looking at them slowly drifting down, layering the dark cobblestone outside the window, thinking what I should do next. It was a frosty but welcoming morning. I grabbed my camera…
Read MoreThe Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum
Bratislava has an array of excellent museums and galleries to visit, but the most prominent, in my opinion, is actually a few kilometers outside the Slovakian capital, where the borders of Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria meet. There, engulfed in a green landscape right on river Danube, built on an artificial peninsula next to Cunovo dam,…
Read MoreStrolling the Christmas Markets of Vienna and Bratislava
Every year around the end of November, hundreds of Christmas markets all over Europe light up, signaling the advent of the world’s biggest holiday. For forty or so days, thousands of small wooden stalls fill the streets and squares, sending their heartwarming smells of chestnut and mulled wine across the atmosphere. Christmas markets, as we…
Read MoreThings to Do in Larnaca, Cyprus
Larnaca is the third biggest city in Cyprus which in turn is the third biggest island of the Mediterranean Sea. Boasting golden beaches, a delicious food scene, and a surprisingly vivid nightlife, Larnaca is not your average European destination. The city has a Middle Eastern essence and its proximity to the turbulent region is evident…
Read MoreSki Resorts in Slovakia
Slovakia is often praised for its pristine nature which is consisted of virgin forests and fierce mountain lines among which High Tatras is the most renowned. The country’s ski resorts on the other hand are many times overlooked. Yes, they surely aren’t as big and lush as neighbouring Austria’s but still they are good enough…
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Zelene Pleso: A fun trail on High Tatras
Zelene pleso means “green tarn” and that’s exactly the hue of its crystal clear waters. Located at the end of Bielej Vody valley, this small mountain lake is surrounded by towering peaks that soar one kilometer high above the valley, casting their long shadows on its floor for the biggest part of the day. On…
Read MoreHiking in High Tatras: Popradske Pleso And Koprovsky
Every year, the missus and I try to tick off at least one summit from our bucket list. Last time, since we love the High Tatras, we decided to go for Gerlakovsky—Slovakia’s highest peak. But life is what happens to us while making other plans, and as we were organizing the whole thing a pregnancy…
Read MoreCyprus: Wine Tasting in Troodos Mountains
Cyprus has always been a winemaking country traditionally producing table wine, with the notable exception of Commandaria. During the last two decades though, the island has seen the rebirth of the local varieties and the flourish of several small winemakers who by aiming higher, have actually achieved to raise the local wine scene and consequently…
Read MoreSamsung S10 Review: Could It Be Your Next Travel Camera?
Samsung S10 hit the market earlier this month and everybody now is expecting to see how these impressive specs translate in real life. No doubt, Samsung’s flagship is a great phone but how does it perform as a camera? Can you solely rely on it for capturing your travels and photographic adventures? The company claims…
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Phone Photography: How To Get Better Photos on Your Next Travel
Sure, your phone is capable of taking pretty good photos, but are you always happy with them, or do they leave you wanting more? The fact that manufacturers have made great leaps during last years means that there is so much more potential to be extracted from phone photography now than ever before. In order…
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Krnohy : The Traditional Sledge Races of Slovakia
First Race of the Year Every year between January and March, at the south foot of Low Tatras in Slovakia, a thrilling championship takes place. It’s the annual races of Krnohy—the traditional Slovak wooden sledges. These heavy sledges are stirred by two unstrapped daredevils who race down a steep snow road—usually through the woods, while…
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Madari Circular Trail in Cyprus
Madari circular trail is in my humble opinion the most beautiful trail in Cyprus. It starts just outside the village of Kyperounta in eastern Troodos Mountains and follows a well signed 13km trail with approximately 650m elevation gain through some of the most beautiful sceneries the island has to offer. Its average difficulty shouldn’t pose…
Read MoreShould You Buy a Camera Or a Top Camera Phone?
Is it better to invest in a flagship phone or get a camera? It’s quite a dilemma and the fact that both devices have improved greatly in the past few years, doesn’t make the choice easier. Let me say in advance that if you never watch your images outside your phone or tablet then the…
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Why Fall is The Best Season to Travel
I have always loved autumn for several reasons. It’s the time of the year that marks the end of a cycle and the beginning of a fresh one more intensely than any other season. Autumn comes just in time to save us from the intolerable heat of summer, and its frenetic energy which by the…
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Los Madrileños: A Photo Story
Shooting a city’s streets always poses a big dilemma in photography. Black & white or color? In the case of Madrid, the answer was clear from the beginning. Even though the city has some amazing Art Deco buildings that would shine in monochrome, still it yells color. And above all, so do its inhabitants. I…
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Madrid : Top Things to Do in The Spanish Capital
I had always been curious about Madrid. After visiting Barcelona and loving it, I was eager to see how the rival city compared. And I was not let down. Madrid is as beautiful and seductive as Barcelona but in an entirely different, almost opposite way. They kind of complement each other and that didn’t come…
Read MoreGreat Food in Madrid and Where to Find It
Food in Madrid From fresh sea food and rich stews, to simple but palatable omelettes and mature cold cuts; food in Madrid offers everything an epicure could dream of. Countless restaurants and tapas bars all over the city, serve a wide variety of dishes, more times than not, at a great prices. This food guide…
Read MoreHiking Cyprus : Atalanti Trail on Troodos
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…
Read MoreSpis Castle : A Medieval Masterpiece in Slovakia
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…
Read MoreHiking Guide: What to Know Before Hitting a Trail For The First Time
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…
Read MoreDunquin : The Pure Essence of Ireland
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…
Read MoreCarrauntoohil : Hiking to the top of Ireland
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…
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