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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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The Causeway Coastal Route – Northern Ireland
The Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland is one of the most beautiful scenic drives in Europe. This picturesque road stretches almost 200 km, winding through cliffside coasts, green hills and the historic castles of the Emerald Isle. Mussenden Temple – the first stop on the way The first stop is the picturesque Mussenden Temple. This remarkable structure, inspired by Roman temples, was commissioned by a wealthy earl who wished to create his private library here. From the outset, Mussenden Temple has captivated visitors not only with its architecture but also its spectacular cliff-top location. Unfortunately, this location carried the risk of erosion and potential collapse of the building. In…
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One day in Gozo
I start my tour around Gozo at the Ta’ Ċenċ cliffs, located on the southeastern coast of the island. This is one of the must-see places in Malta. From a height of over 130 meters, you can admire an amazing panorama of the Mediterranean Sea. A little further, you can admire an equally spectacular landscape at the so-called Sunset Cliff. To get to know the island not only from the perspective of the cliffs, it is worth visiting the capital of Gozo – Victoria, also known as Rabat. Victoria boasts interesting monuments and architecture. The main tourist attraction is the Il-Kastell citadel. Walking along the defensive walls, you can admire…
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Na Pali from the air – a story of two flights
How did it happen that I landed on board of a helicopter to watch the wonderful Na Pali cliffs, actually on board of two helicopters? The larger part of the Hawaiian island of Kaua’i is not available from land due to inaccessible mountains. That’s why a helicopter trip is the best option to see the whole island. When you look at photos from Hawaii, you can get the impression that there’s always a great sunny weather. However, the location of the archipelago in the middle of the ocean and the mountainous terrain make a specific climate that is characterised by high rainfall and moderate temperatures. A large amount of precipitation…
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Algarve – the best beaches in Portugal
The ocean and beaches are an integral element of Portuguese life. The ocean is an inherent part of the history of Portugal and the era of great geographical discoveries, fado music or the exquisite cuisine of the country. Portuguese attachment to the ocean is reflected even in everyday sayings. The Portuguese equivalent of ” it’s not my cup of tea” is: ” não é a minha praia”- what means it’s not my beach. By the way, it is hard to be surprised by this, after all, the length of Portugal’s coastline amouts to over 800 kilometers. However, some part of it, reaching 160 kilometers, is unique. It’s Algarve region –…
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Na Pali part I – Hawaiian cliffs, doplhins and barking sands
In the area of the green Hawaiian island of Kaua’i you can find a hidden treasure – Nā Pali Coast State Park. The name Nā Pali in Hawaiian means in cliffs, so you can figure out what is the main its attraction. The 17-mile cliff coast stretches from Ke’e Beach to Polihale Beach. Nā Pali cliffs are reportedly among the highest in the world and reach more than 1000 meters above the turquoise waters of the Pacific. They have been shaped over the centuries through erosion activities, like many caves along the coast. Nā Pali cliffs can be seen in three ways: from the air, land and water, and each…
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Spain – fall in love with Santander!
Spain is a popular holidays direction. Sunny weather, monuments and wonderful beaches attract a lot of tourist every year. But why wait for a vacation when you can go there in winter break? It was December, when I received flight tickets confirmation to Santader. Then I realized what actually I had done.In fact, return ticket cost less than 20 €, but the idea of a trip in mid-February was completely devoid of common sense. Beautifully located Santander – the capital of Cantabria is characterised by a mild and humid climate and there’re more rainy days compared to the south of Spain. For this reason, it is not a popular tourist…
