This article will probably be a bit off topic but I felt a need to write it after a visit in one of the world's most infamous sites. Auschwitz Concentration Camp in southern Poland has recently become one of the most visited tourist attraction in the Krakow region. However, in my opinion, it should never be perceived as one. The site of incomparable genocide that was committed by the Nazis during the second world war should be seen only if you fully understand what really happened there and what consequences it entailed for those involved in those horrific events.
Riga, Latvia - A Surprising Hidden Gem
Riga, the capital of Latvia is one of those European cities that are hardly ever visited by ordinary tourists traveling across the old continent. There's very little information about it and it almost never appears in the media. To be honest, we hadn't planned visiting Riga either. The reason why we went there at all was because we had a stopover in Latvia on the way to the unknown and absolutely amazing Kazakhstan (read posts Kazakhstan here). Our visit in Riga was completely spontaneous - we didn't have any plan regarding what to see and where to go but the Latvian capital turned out to be a surprising hidden gem - large enough to offer many attractions as well as the beautiful old town and small enough to walk around in only one day!
Athens, Greece - Part 2 - New Athens - Is There Anything Else To See Besides The Acropolis?
The Greek capital - Athens - is known as the center of the ancient world. The temples attract millions of tourists every year. Although the importance of Acropolis cannot be denied, one can feel a little disappointed while looking at the few remaining monuments - there are other, off the beaten path ancient sites which are way better preserved. Go back to the first part of the article about Athens to learn about our impressions of the Acropolis - expectations versus reality.
But is it only Acropolis that is worth visiting in Athens? I've heard many saying that besides this ancient hill, there's nothing to see. Not all modern parts of Athens may be too appealing to the eye - they remind more of Middle Eastern cities (like Amman - have a look here) with houses crammed tightly between the surrounding hills. To be honest, for me, it wasn't one of the best European capitals, but it's still nice to visit and once you explore it a bit deeper, you'll find some exciting places beyond the famous Acropolis. It's possible to visit all the places described here in one day on foot.
Zakopane - What To See in Poland's Winter Capital
Zakopane, also called Poland's winter capital due to the abundance of ski resorts in the region is becoming a popular tourist destination among foreign visitors to the country. It's probably because it's so close to the most famous attraction in Poland - the medieval city of Krakow. Contrary to Zakopane's nickname - "winter capital", although it's perfect for ski lovers, the area is also worth visiting during all other seasons - when the snow melts, you can enjoy hiking spectacular mountainous trails dotted with beautiful, crystal clear postglacial lakes. In this post, however, I will focus on the town itself and highlight what to see around - there are plenty of articles online about Zakopane, basically describing Tatra National park, but few about the actual town.
Furnas, Azores, Portugal - The Village, The Crater Lake and The Hot Springs
The village of Furnas, as well as the nearby volcanic complex of geothermal springs, is situated beside the easternmost of the three spectacular caldera lakes on the island of Sao Miguel - Lagoa das Furnas. Apart from other places in Azores, Furnas, as one of the main tourist attractions on Sao Miguel, is extremely extraordinary yet still very authentic and, comparing to mainland Portugal, visited by few. Probably due to the deficit of beaches and guaranteed sunny weather. But it has so much more to offer! It is idyllic, easily accessible and sometimes confusing, but in a very positive way: when you leave one of the cozy towns, you begin to doubt you are in Portugal and start to think you've been teleported to Iceland, Ireland and New Zealand, all blended into one.
Zlatni Rat on Brac Island - Is It Croatia's Most Beautiful Beach?
Croatia has changed beyond recognition within the last 10 years. Its Mediterranean coast, old medieval towns made of stone, beautiful beaches and superb food attract more and more visitors to this once neglected and forgotten land. In fairness, the tourist attractions in Croatia (as well as in the whole Balkan region) are not in any way less interesting than those famous spots in Italy or France. Besides the hyper popular Dubrovnik (which was featured in great productions, such as The Game of Thrones), the northern portion of Croatian coast has also a lot to offer - the beautiful Roman city of Split (read my article about it here) and dozens of spectacular little islands. When you're in Split, one of them is particularly worth seeing - I'm talking here about Brac island which boasts reputedly the most beautiful beach in Croatia (I even spotted signs saying that in the world! For me this is the most beautiful beach in the world.) But is it really true?
Half a Day In Brussels - What Can You See During An 8-hour Stopover In The Belgian Capital
Usually, I choose to visit more exotic, unknown or off the beaten path destinations. Although there are some towns in Belgium I am planning to visit, Brussels was somehow never on my list. However, while returning from the trip to the amazing Greek Islands, the stopover between the flights in Brussels was around 8 hours. Was there a point to stay that long at the airport? We decided to take a risk and catch a bus to the city - at least to kill time, even if, seemingly, there was no possibility to get around and see everything in such a short time. As it turned out, we managed to visit almost all attractions within the historical center as well the famous Atomium Monument.
Athens, Greece - Part 1 - Ancient Acropolis - Expectations vs Reality
The myths and history of Ancient Greece are probably the most widespread of all throughout the western mainstream media. The very center of Athens - Ancient Acropolis was the cradle of our civilization. Having had watched the films and documentaries about the glorious warriors, Greek scholars, mythical Gods and magnificent temples, it was always my dream to see this magical site in real life. I was warned, however by some people that visiting Athens is a rather disappointing experience and it's better to head straight to the famous Greek beaches on idyllic islands rather than walk around the few piles of ruins that remain today. What is the Acropolis like in reality then? Is it the way you might imagine it in your mind - splendid and impressive - or is it another overrated, overpriced and disappointing tourist attraction?
Ring of Kerry, Ireland - Beautiful Beaches And Idyllic Scenery
Ring of Kerry is a nearly 200 km (125 mile) long loop route in county Kerry among Ireland's most stunning landscapes - little, cozy villages, green hills and fields, castles, bare mountains and hundreds of lakes in Killarney National Park. Moreover, along the Atlantic Coast, as a part of "Wild Atlantic Way" - you can enjoy breathtaking views over dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches with surprisingly clear blue water and amazing and off the beaten path Skellig Islands (sometimes called Irish Machu Picchu) which are the home for thousands of colorful puffins that seemingly love to pose for photographs. Most of what Ireland is famous for can be seen concentrated within this little piece of land.
Gjirokaster - Albania's Most Beautiful UNESCO Town
Traveling along the southern coast of Albania literally made my jaw drop. I had not expected at all what I was going to see. Paradise, completely unspoiled beaches, clearest sea possible, superb food and accommodation at ridiculously low prices, friendliest locals I'd ever met... I thought nothing else was able to surprise me. Then, we reached Gjirokaster - a little Ottoman town which turned out to be breathtakingly unique not only in Albania but in the whole Europe. It could easily compete with the French or Italian equivalents - in Gjirokaster you'll see the most beautifully decorated houses covered with original stone roof tiles, authentic, perfectly well maintained old town with cobblestone, winding little streets and... literally zero tourists!