Ibiza - Spain

Ibiza – Spain

Post published:27 October 2013
Post category:Europe Spain

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The Pityussae: Pine Covered Islands

To find such an incredible air fare deal to Ibiza was quite shocking already, but to find out that Ibiza is by far much nicer than I expected, was the real deal. I know it was also the perfect match of the circumstances, like the weather reaching 30 degrees centigrades, the great hotel, spa and the pools, and the unexpected room upgrade just because we and few other tourists were the last guests to stay in the hotel before they were closing during the winter season months.

So what it makes for you to find a cheap ticket here? Going off season, time when as well, all that great discos are closed. This makes the difference between cheap and affordable, or as expensive as if going to Dubai instead. Really, I have seen cheaper tickets to Dubai than Ibiza in July. Then off-season, it is not only that you pay that little, but the hotel deal will be your next surprise, and having so few tourists around. I personally would not like to travel to Ibiza in peak season unless my plan is just to party and go clubbing, and get to the crowded beaches.

On the same note as we did in Tenerife or Kos in other trips, the best option if you want to visit the most the island has to offer is to rent a car. Also inexpensive when out of season. This island is small enough for a cultural weekend trip. But an extra day would be ideal as this would allow you to reach the small sister island of Formentera, just a short boat ride across. (more…)

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Belgrade - Serbia

Belgrade – Serbia

Post published:12 October 2013
Post category:Europe Serbia Southern Europe

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The White City

Loosing the track on how many new countries I have visited so far during this year alone, this time I land in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, in company of two of my travel friends. Thankfully we managed to find such great air fares, although this had to involve travelling there on Friday very early morning and returning Sunday on the very first flight of the morning. Unfortunately, we could not enjoy an extra full day as it could have been Sunday, but at least, we used it to recover and sleep.

Saying this, 2 days are more than enough for this city. I could not imagine another one unless going somewhere else, so yes, it’s a perfect city size for a cultural weekend trip. Very compact, cute old town and great for walking everywhere; however evolving and expanding with plenty of new construction going one and countless projects to restore the older parts becoming the next tourist destination in the Balkans.

To our surprise, the city has much more to offer than we originally though. Searching for pictures and information over the internet did not give us any greater overall idea and image of what Belgrade really is. This was a great sign as we thought we would become sort of stranded without knowing what else to do after few hours. (more…)

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City of San Marino - San Marino

City of San Marino – San Marino

Post published:6 October 2013
Post category:Europe San Marino Southern Europe

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The third smallest state in Europe

Visiting San Marino now a reality; one of the smallest country in Europe within the Italian Peninsula, and absolutely surrounded by this. This is again a two for the price of one trip, meaning travelling to a city not been before but also completing another country of the list. This is getting more complicated lately to get into new countries if doing merely over the weekends, I know that’s crazy, but it is getting easier with the numerous new flight routes and airlines flying all over Europe hence returning to any country. No matter if already been before it does have a bright side, this is the hundreds other cities and places to go within each. I am not the type of person who travels just to tick off the list and say hey! I’ve been there. No, quite the opposite, I like to explore as much as possible, return to where I like the most and visit other places and cities constantly in my desire for being everywhere in the world in my lifetime.

Unlucky for us, the day was very cloudy and while back in Rimini from where we came was a good visibility, it was not the case here in the City of San Marino. The capital is located at the top of Mount Titano, and the clouds were so low that we had continuous thick fog for the whole day. What could have been great pictures with great views even as far as the Adriatic Sea, were only of a few meters ahead of us, with silhouettes of buildings and walls. Nevertheless, it was only after we returned back from the trip and checked the pictures when I started to appreciate these and actually liked them more than I thought. It is definitely another style of view, as beautiful as if it would have been a clear day. Still that’s not an excuse, I have to return for sure.

The capital city is so small with so many levels up and down that the only way to visit is by walking. Just be prepared that you will need to go up and down hills and stairs constantly. Some nice and comfortable footwear would be really appreciated if I may suggest. (more…)

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Ancona, Fano and Rimini - Italy

Ancona, Fano and Rimini – Italy

Post published:5 October 2013
Post category:Europe Italy

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Terminus of the Roman Via Flaminia

Flying to this region was a long time planned not just only for reaching all these cities never been before, but for reaching San Marino, which you can easily do if flying to Rimini, some 15 km away from the border, Ancona or Bologna airports, both around 100 km away. Since flying to Rimini was well overpriced, and Bologna a place we’ve been in other occasions, Ancona was the perfect candidate and get to see as much as possible from the region and the coastline.

Being all such small cities, it is perfect for a weekend trip. You will have plenty of time and no rush for anything, furthermore, since you will end up with more free time than expected, you can stop along the way in other small villages. Almost all of them contain nice Roman remains, bastions, citadels and beautiful buildings.

Ancona itself is nothing out of the blue, that’s for sure. Just a busy port city; and maybe because we went out of season and on a weekend, it was hard to find anything even opened, not even the restaurants. The Roman arch is really worth to see, although unfortunately it’s been left stranded in the port hence the surroundings are not the nicest at all with a road passing right at the front. The best view of it is from the Parco del Cardeto Hill. Now, if I am honest with you, do not plan any longer than 4 hours of sightseeing if your plans include to head later towards Rimini or elsewhere. There is not much more you could do in here. (more…)

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Rio de Janeiro - Brazil

Rio de Janeiro – Brazil

Post published:8 June 2013
Post category:Brazil South America

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Carioca Landscapes

And finally in Rio de Janeiro! One of the long time dreams made a reality. In fact, the whole of the trip planned for Brazil was pivoting around Rio, visiting Sao Paulo some days before and then making it our base for getting into magnificent Iguazu Falls.

Once again, and like everywhere you will see over the internet, or the mouth to mouth; what is described as a dangerous city, it does not mean it is. As long as you take care of your belongings and don’t do or go anywhere you should not. It is incredible to hear from people that Downtown is a dangerous area, yet to our surprise, it’s the most beautiful and totally safe place. Maybe some tourists get scared to see that many local people which are on drugs or drunk. Perhaps; yet still, they are harmless as long as you are cautious.

The city is well divided in different areas, all along the coast and within easy reach one to another, either by the very frequent buses, or by metro which runs parallel to the coast and covers all tourist areas in no time. To the south are the world famous beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana. Corcovado Mountain where Christ the Redeemer is at the top; the Sugar Loaf Mountain and Botafogo Beach, which offers amazing views towards the Sugar Loaf. And right behind, the idyllic Tijuca National Park with its wonderful peaks and pristine forests. All of which the city, its landscapes and the national park are listed a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO.

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Iguazu Falls - Brazil

Iguazu Falls – Brazil

Post published:5 June 2013
Post category:Brazil South America

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One of the greatest spectacles of the nature

From the very beginning since booking the flights to Brazil, we knew Iguazu Falls would have to be part of the trip. How or when was secondary, the main point was to plan at whatever the cost was in this point, at least a day trip here. We could not let the chance go now that we were going to be in the country to admire the largest waterfall system in the world, without any doubt a well deserved UNESCO World Heritage Site listed. Fine that you could also get here from the Argentinian side, where you have the people who argue which side is better; and reach them also from Paraguay, from Ciudad del Este which neighbours Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil just across the Parana River.

Now, after the trip, if you ask me if I would return, I certainly say a definitely yes! And possibly to stay longer, and to check the views from the Argentinian side. It is mind blowing and jaw-dropping to see such power and beauty of nature. Simply grandiose.

Fortunately, and considering the size of this country, Iguazu Falls are quite well located at short flight distance from both Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo. From our experience coming from Rio, this was a little less than 2 hours flight. Also, the choice of airlines was good enough to select some of the best times at great prices. After all, this is one of your major places to visit in your lifetime, immerse yourself and appreciate the magnitude and size of it all.

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Sao Paulo - Brazil

Sao Paulo – Brazil

Post published:1 June 2013
Post category:Brazil South America

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I am not led, I lead

As so excited it can get, finally travelling to Brazil, although a very tiny part of the massive country. We managed to find a nice open-jaw ticket, the ones we are more and more frequently starting to seek and take advantage where possible. This means, you depart from one city in a country, but do not return to the same city, but to another, also likely to be in a different country too. So to give you our example, it was a Madrid to Sao Paulo, few days there and then the leg Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro; while for the return flights, it was Rio to Sao Paulo and to London, all with TAM Airlines. But for more information on the different kind of tickets, and when is best to find nice offers do not forget to take a look at the section The Flight Search Guide.

Although the highlight for this trip was getting to Rio de Janeiro of course, one should never underestimate the beautiful and gigantic city of Sao Paulo. Forget what you hear from the mouth to mouth, or even from locals there saying there is nothing to see, or if it’s ugly, dangerous and nothing to do. This is absolutely wrong; and yes, although not much from the historic colonial town remains, it is enough for at least 2 days or even more of full sightseeing.

The city is well divided in neighbourhoods, and as a tourist, the chances are you will be for sure in 2 of them. These are around Paulista Avenue, and the Downtown, where both the historic colonial city was founded and the business district that grew around it.

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Bran and Brasov - Romania

Bran and Brasov – Romania

Post published:27 May 2013
Post category:Eastern Europe Europe Romania

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The home of Dracula

Coming to Romania for the first time at the time of writing this guide, then it could only mean one thing. It had to include both Bran and Brasov, located in the beautiful Transylvania region. The only downside, well, being the major tourist destinations in the country, hence quite a lot of hordes of tourists. From the beauty of the landscapes, mountains and forests; to the beauty of the villages and the many castles. A first time visitor to Romania should definitely include these places in their agenda. You cannot miss the world renown legend on the very same place it is set.

What is best, is that you can easily do both places in a day trip from Bucharest if you are staying there as a base. This will save you in fact a lot of costs, since hotels in this region are way more expensive and more limited than in the capital; and so the basic costs for everything like food, drinks, going out, etc. This is as you can imagine, the main tourist spot in Romania.

By the time of the year we went there, May, it was still great to enjoy the site with not so many tourists, since just few more days later and the site would become packed every day. Also the weather and the sun really made of it a perfect day out, even though the heavy thunderstorm at Brasov later in the afternoon almost did spoil the rest of the day.

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