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Ouarzazate – Morocco’s Cardboard Hollywood
The Ouarzazate region has been luring filmmakers for years. This is where classics like Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and The Mummy were brought to life. Most tourists begin and end their sightseeing at the famous Atlas Studios. Sure, it’s worth a visit, but limiting yourself to that alone is like watching only the trailer of a good movie. The real adventure with Moroccan cinematography begins in the middle of nowhere. The film world has pretty much forgotten these places. Picture this: massive palaces, fortified castles, and ancient temples built solely for a few scenes, then just… abandoned. No recycling, no dismantling, no packing things into containers. These sets are left…
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Hobbiton – The Shire vs. the Sheep: The Story of an Annexed Farm
As I drove towards Hobbiton, or rather the town of Matamata, I immediately knew I was heading in the right direction. The landscape was dotted with perfectly undulating hills, practically begging to be turned into Hobbit holes. It looked like it had been plucked straight from a film set. Yet the most captivating part of the view was the greenery. The grass was so vividly green it almost seemed unreal. At that moment, I thought it was a fair trade-off for the previous day, when a wall of rain had driven me to despair and offered no hope for the rest of the trip. Incredible how the scenery can transform…
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Arthur’s Pass National Park: The Most Beautiful Route in New Zealand?
Arthur’s Pass National Park – or more precisely, the Great Alpine Highway that runs through it, is often considered the most beautiful road in New Zealand. It’s the oldest national park on the South Island (and the third oldest in the entire country), lying across a key mountain pass that links the eastern and western coast. Yet, driving along the Great Alpine Highway is far from an ordinary experience. The road through Arthur’s Pass is a true feat of engineering. Viaducts, bridges, rock shelters and diverted waterfalls, all designed to make it possible to cross from one side of the island to the other. The pass itself rises more than…
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Auckland – a metropolis on a volcanic minefield
Auckland isn’t actually the capital of New Zealand, though it tries very hard to look like it is. Historically, it did hold that title between 1841 and 1865. Today, its modern business district, with towering skyscrapers and cosmopolitan cafés, still feels like the country’s command centre. The city regularly ranks high in quality-of-life surveys, because life here is simply good. Sure, it’s more expensive than other parts of New Zealand, but that clearly doesn’t put anyone off, least of all tourists. Auckland can boast a pretty unique setting. It sits on the Auckland Volcanic Field, a volcanic area made up of roughly 50–53 volcanoes. They’re all dormant now, but the…
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Auckland, Devonport – the fort that never fired… and the fake news that built it
It takes barely a few minutes to ride a ferry from central Auckland to Devonport – a place that seems to exist in a completely different reality. Devonport lies between two extinct volcanoes that not only shaped its history but also perfectly symbolise it. At first glance, it looks like a calm, almost sleepy Auckland suburb: wooden houses, cafés, restaurants, kids fishing in the bay with Auckland’s skyscrapers in the background… but that’s just the surface. Beneath it lies a turbulent past that once made Devonport one of the most strategic locations in the region. Right next to the ferry terminal rises Mount Victoria, an 87-metre volcanic cone. It may…
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New Zealand, day one: a birthday at the end of the world
I will never forget my first day in New Zealand. It was my birthday, and it was exactly how I’d imagined it – far from home, at the end of the world. Those first days are always stuck in the memory best – they set the tone for the whole trip. And knowing I had 18 days of adventure ahead only cranked up the excitement. Karekare Falls – 30 metres of watery adrenaline The first stop was Karekare Falls in the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park. A short, half-kilometre walk leads to a 30-metre waterfall surrounded by palms and lush, exotic vegetation. Mercer Bay Loop – a walk with views and…
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Oman – discovering Muscat’s surroundings
Oman has been strategically located along trade routes for centuries, which is reflected in the construction of numerous defensive forts designed to ensure protection against invaders. One such structure, Al Hazm Castle, is one of the most impressive buildings in Oman. It was built in the 18th century by Imam Sultan bin Saif II. The castle was not only the residence of the ruler of Oman but also served a defensive function, which is why it is also known as a fort. Al Hazm Castle is unique due to its construction. No wood was used in the building of its ceilings, and it also used an innovative water system known…
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Abu Dhabi – attractions, architecture and local vibe of the UAE
Abu Dhabi, the capital of the largest emirate in the UAE, may not boast a vast array of tourist attractions, but it is undoubtedly worth a visit. At first glance, it’s evident that the city is primarily designed for its residents. While nearby Dubai is dominated by tourists, Abu Dhabi seems to be more overlooked by them. Unlike Dubai, where the economy now heavily relies on new technologies and tourism, Abu Dhabi remains self-sufficient thanks to its oil production, preserving its unique local character. Traditionally, the city center features numerous skyscrapers. Some of them may be a bit overwhelming in their design, but as they say, there’s no accounting for…
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Mt Taranaki in New Zealand: an intelligence test and practical info
I arrived at Egmont National Park in the afternoon. The main star of the show, Mount Taranaki, was of course hidden in the clouds so it did exactly what I’d expected. There was no point in attempting a longer hiking, so I opted for the light version: Dawson Falls and Wilkies Pools. As soon as I crossed the park boundary, it felt like I had stepped into an entirely different reality. A narrow, winding road led through a dense green tunnel, creating an almost fairytale-like landscape. To save time, I decided not to drive all the way to Dawson Falls Visitor Centre and stopped earlier, right at the trailhead. A…
