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)

Middle East

Petra in Jordan - Part 2 - The Roman Center And The Trail To The Monastery (Ad-Deir)

Petra in Jordan - Part 2 - The Roman Center And The Trail To The Monastery (Ad-Deir)

As I mentioned in the first part, the ancient rock city of Petra has so much more to offer than the most popular monument - the Treasury. Around the Treasury, you can admire other, unique to the Nabataean style enormous structures carved in the rose rock and the short but steep trail to the High Place of Sacrifice. In this part I will describe all the rest - The Roman part of Petra with its impressive Colonnaded Street, the most important Nabataean Temple Qasr al-Bint and the extraordinarily attractive trail to the carved from the rock wall Monastery (Ad-Deir) located on top of the nearby hill. Besides the spectacular Monastery, the whole site also boasts unreal views over the Martian mountainous desert.

Dead Sea (The Lowest Point on Earth), Madaba and Biblical Mount Nebo, Jordan

Dead Sea (The Lowest Point on Earth), Madaba and Biblical Mount Nebo, Jordan

The Dead Sea (which in reality is actually a lake) not only breaks two world's records as the deepest highly saline inland body of water and, at 400 m (1400 ft.) below sea level - the lowest point on the planet, but also is set in a tremendously significant region since antiquity. It was here where the important biblical stories had taken place, where Moses had hit the rocks that opened and spouted a stream of fresh water for the Israelites and Kind David took refuge. It served as one of the earliest spas and a resort in which the rulers of the ancient world used to relax. 

Amman - What To See In The White Capital - Is it safe to visit Jordan?

Amman - What To See In The White Capital - Is it safe to visit Jordan?

Amman is a perfect gateway to the most famous treasures of Jordan - Petra (one of the seven wonders of the ancient world), Dead Sea, Biblical Holy Land - Mount Nebo where Moses died and was buried, Jerash (the best preserved Ancient Roman City - forget Rome!) and Wadi Rum Desert. It is often treated only as a gateway - a place where you transfer to see something else. Underrated and a bit overlooked, Amman may be not the most charming city in the world but it boasts rich history, great architecture and ancient monuments that are still in use today. Although it's skipped by many visitors, it's interesting to see the capital of such a magnificent land as Jordan.

Petra in Jordan - Part 1 - The Treasury, The Ancient Rock City and The High Place of Sacrifice Trail

Petra in Jordan - Part 1 - The Treasury, The Ancient Rock City and The High Place of Sacrifice Trail

Petra (located just off the town of Wadi Musa) is truly one of the most marvelous gems among all ancient sites. The rose-red city carved out of rocks was naturally protected by the walls of the gorge from one side and rocky mountains from the other. The ancient civilization of Nabataeans that settled in Petra was highly advanced, it managed to achieve something not common in the history of humanity - peaceful coexistence with foreign cultures that enabled to create trade routes and brought considerable wealth to the area.

Old Dubai, Arabian Desert and Cruise to Oman

Old Dubai, Arabian Desert and Cruise to Oman

I've heard people say that there's nothing to do in Dubai besides shopping and strolling the endless labyrinths in one of the biggest malls in the world. I just hate shopping and try to avoid it whenever possible. Just being in a shopping mall is a torture for me. However, I must admit that I was enchanted by Dubai Mall right next to the world's tallest building. Probably because, apart from the stores, it also houses a really gargantuan aquarium filled with many exotic fish like manta rays or even sharks. It was nice to sit down in a restaurant where one of its walls was the huge glass sheet through which I could admire the sea life.

But, there's much more to Dubai than those extremely modern ideas, architecture, luxurious hotels and resorts. There's the Arabian Desert, Dubai Creek and also the old part of the city (although not that very old - it dates back to the seventeenth century) but really worth a visit for the contrast between new and old.

The tallest building in the world - Burj Khalifa and modern Dubai

The tallest building in the world - Burj Khalifa and modern Dubai

Dubai - the oil-rich Emirate surrounded by golden dunes of the desert has become a symbol of everything that's largest, tallest and most luxurious. It's hard to believe that a few decades ago this place was just a small fishermen village. With a huge airport and famous Emirates Airlines it is easy to get there from basically any major European or Asian city. Many people seek shelter there from harsh continental winters, within just a few hour flight they can get back to the summer and sunbathe on the beaches. Dubai is a very cosmopolitan and relatively liberal city, although you have to obey some strange rules for westerners, like for example the ban on taking photos on the beach.

Yas Viceroy Hotel in Abu Dhabi - Night photography

Yas Viceroy Hotel in Abu Dhabi - Night photography

Abu Dhabi, like Dubai is getting richer and is becoming a destination that offers luxurious and architecturally unusual, modern hotels, offices other constructions of all sorts. While driving through Abu Dhabi, you can notice how the forest of cranes, beside new skyscrapers being under construction, is taking up more and more of the desert area and turning it into lively city.

Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Zayed Mosque is a must see attraction in Abu Dhabi. You should definitely visit this place while your stay in UAE. It's very easily accessible by public bus or a taxi (35 AED) from the centre of Abu Dhabi. From Dubai, you can take a bus from the main station for 20 AED that connects it with Abu Dhabi, the journey takes around 2 hours. On the bus, there are separate seats for men, women with children and families.