The Valley of Roses and Kings (part 2) The Valley of Kings

Posted by: Maria in June 2026 (3 months, 2 weeks ago)

The Valley of Roses is famous not only for its roses, poppies and lavender, but also for its tombs of … read more

The Valley of Roses and Kings (part 1) The Valley of Roses

Posted by: Maria in June 2026 (3 months, 3 weeks ago)

Out of all the flowers in the world the rose is undeniably one of the most popular, admired and symbolic … read more

In the heart of the Silk Road (part 4) Khiva and the Desert Castles

Posted by: Maria in June 2026 (3 months, 4 weeks ago)

Khiva - It took us 6 hours, almost a whole day, by train through endless cotton fields and the Kyzylkum … read more

In the heart of the Silk Road (part 3) Bukhara

Posted by: Maria in June 2026 (4 months ago)

Bukhara - While Tashkent is a modern city with some medieval and former USSR remnants and Samarkand boasts a few … read more

In the heart of the Silk Road (part 2) Samarkand

Posted by: Maria in May 2026 (4 months, 1 week ago)

Samarkand - No name is so evocative of the Silk Road as Samarkand (or Marakanda to the Greeks), which has … read more

In the heart of the Silk Road (part 1) Tashkent

Posted by: Maria in May 2026 (4 months, 2 weeks ago)

The Great Wall of China, Machu Picchu, the Pyramids of Giza, the Taj Mahal, the Victoria Falls, Stonehenge, the Grand … read more

The Land of Giants at the End of the World (part 2)

Posted by: Maria in January 2026 (8 months, 2 weeks ago)

We crossed for the third time the border between Argentina and Chile, in order to reach another of the highlights … read more

The Land of Giants at the End of the World (part 1)

Posted by: Maria in January 2026 (8 months, 3 weeks ago)

No visitors come back from Antarctica in the same state of mind as on the day of their departure. The … read more

A Vitamin Sea Christmas in the Mediterranean

Posted by: Maria in December 2025 (9 months, 2 weeks ago)

Human beings are full of contradictions! When we used to live in tropical countries, we were looking for trips to … read more

Spring Colours in the Kingdom of the West (part 6) Morocco is yellow

Posted by: Maria in December 2025 (10 months, 1 week ago)

Morocco is yellow - Besides the yellow hues of the dunes along the Atlantic Coast, Morocco has its own "Yellow … read more

Spring Colours in the Kingdom of the West (part 5) Morocco is red

Posted by: Maria in November 2025 (10 months, 2 weeks ago)

Morocco is red - Besides the red hues of the sunset light on the dunes of the Sahara Desert and … read more

Spring Colours in the Kingdom of the West (part 4) Morocco is orange

Posted by: Maria in November 2025 (10 months, 3 weeks ago)

Morocco is orange - Our first encounter with the legendary High Atlas was on our way from Ifrane to Ifri, … read more

Spring Colours in the Kingdom of the West (part 3) Morocco is green

Posted by: Maria in November 2025 (10 months, 4 weeks ago)

Morocco is green - The Rif Mountains east of Tangier, with a length of around 300 km along the Mediterranean … read more

Spring Colours in the Kingdom of the West (part 2) Morocco is blue

Posted by: Maria in November 2025 (11 months ago)

Morocco is blue - The road along the Atlantic Coast is spectacular. It boasts the fifty nuances of the ocean’s … read more

Spring Colours in the Kingdom of the West (part 1) Morocco is white

Posted by: Maria in October 2025 (11 months, 1 week ago)

If I had to use only a couple of words to describe Morocco, they would be "a photographer's dream come … read more

Singapore 101 or my 10 top tips for things to see and do in the Lion City

Posted by: Maria in September 2025 (1 year ago)

After almost 7 years living and working in Singapore, I often get asked about things to see and do in … read more

Tibet - A Journey through the Top of the World (part 2)

Posted by: Maria in July 2025 (1 year, 2 months ago)

A journey through Tibet also means: driving through mountain passes and glaciers. Besides rivers and lakes, the Top of the … read more

Tibet - A Journey through the Top of the World (part 1)

Posted by: Maria in July 2025 (1 year, 3 months ago)

Everyone has heard of the idiom 'on top of the world' referring to an 'exceptionally pleased, happy, or satisfied' person, … read more

Namaste in the Land of Gods (part 4)

Posted by: Maria in June 2025 (1 year, 3 months ago)

BREATHE The third and last healing element of my retreat in the East was going to be the breathing, or … read more

Namaste in the Land of Gods (part 3)

Posted by: Maria in June 2025 (1 year, 4 months ago)

The examples of Hindu traditions that can be explained by science are endless... I was going to learn about many … read more

Namaste in the Land of Gods (part 2)

Posted by: Maria in May 2025 (1 year, 4 months ago)

The second healing element of my retreat to the East was going to be the prayers or, if you would … read more

Namaste in the Land of Gods (part 1)

Posted by: Maria in May 2025 (1 year, 4 months ago)

Europeans and Americans alike have always looked East for spirituality, in search of happiness and to escape the hustle and … read more

The Hidden Gems of Africa (part 10) The architecture and culinary gems

Posted by: Maria in May 2025 (1 year, 5 months ago)

The architecture gems If in addition to being a culture-vulture, you are an architecture fan, Southern Africa has some architecture … read more

The Hidden Gems of Africa (part 9) The culture gems

Posted by: Maria in May 2025 (1 year, 5 months ago)

On top of their landscape, wildlife and adventure activity gems, Namibia and Botswana are a treasure trove of various tribes … read more

The Hidden Gems of Africa (part 8) The adventure activity gems

Posted by: Maria in April 2025 (1 year, 5 months ago)

Adventure activities thrive in both Namibia and Botswana. If you are an adrenaline-junkie, extreme sports are awaiting for you - … read more

The Hidden Gems of Africa (part 7) The wildlife gems in Chobe, Victoria Falls & Nairobi

Posted by: Maria in April 2025 (1 year, 5 months ago)

After two nights at Nkasa Rupara National Park, we crossed again the border between Namibia and Botswana. Even the highway … read more

The Hidden Gems of Africa (part 6) The wildlife gems in the Caprivi Strip

Posted by: Maria in April 2025 (1 year, 6 months ago)

If Africa was a colour, it would have been a combination of ivory, brown, red, green, and black, except for … read more

The Hidden Gems of Africa (part 5) The wildlife gems in Etosha

Posted by: Maria in April 2025 (1 year, 6 months ago)

Our luck turned again at Hobatere Lodge, next to Etosha National Park! Elephants at Hobatere Lodge Elephants at Hobatere Lodge … read more

The Hidden Gems of Africa (part 4) The wildlife gems in Kalahari, Walvis Bay & Damaraland

Posted by: Maria in March 2025 (1 year, 6 months ago)

On top of their landscape gems, Namibia and Botswana also revealed their wildlife wonders, and, for a first trip to … read more

The Hidden Gems of Africa (part 3) The landscape gems - mountains and rivers

Posted by: Maria in March 2025 (1 year, 6 months ago)

Next to Sossusvlei is another landscape wonder, also part of the Namib-Naukluft National Park but off the beaten track - … read more

The Hidden Gems of Africa (part 2) The landscape gems - sand deserts

Posted by: Maria in March 2025 (1 year, 6 months ago)

Vast deserts, giant sand dunes, alien salt pans, spectacular valleys, deep canyons, beautiful rivers, breathtaking waterfalls, giant rock formations, gorgeous … read more

The Hidden Gems of Africa (part 1) The precious gems

Posted by: Maria in March 2025 (1 year, 7 months ago)

On each and every one of our trips throughout the years, we have travelled to countries far away from Europe … read more

European Snow Trip to the Arctic (part 6) Dog sledding, ice hotel and the Venice of Scandinavia

Posted by: Maria in January 2025 (1 year, 8 months ago)

SWEDEN is the land of lakes, pine forests and beautiful coasts with countless islands in the Baltic Sea. It is … read more

European Snow Trip to the Arctic (part 5) When things got terribly wrong and we ended up in heaven

Posted by: Maria in January 2025 (1 year, 8 months ago)

After the aurora borealis magic, we headed again north. Our goal was Nordkapp in NORWAY (aka the Land of the … read more

European Snow Trip to the Arctic (part 4) Sámi, reindeer and northern lights

Posted by: Maria in January 2025 (1 year, 9 months ago)

We kept driving north and the days went by without any northern lights on the horizon... We started getting worried … read more

European Snow Trip to the Arctic (part 3) Saunas, icebreakers and Santa Claus

Posted by: Maria in January 2025 (1 year, 9 months ago)

The day had finally arrived for us to hop again on a ferry and cross the Gulf of Finland from … read more

European Snow Trip to the Arctic (part 2) The Baltic countries or a first taste of the Arctic

Posted by: Maria in December 2024 (1 year, 9 months ago)

After more than a week on the road, we finally arrived in the Baltic region! LITHUANIA, also known as “The … read more

European Snow Trip to the Arctic (part 1) Our first snow in ages

Posted by: Maria in December 2024 (1 year, 9 months ago)

There are people who do not like the cold and I used to be one of them until Covid happened… … read more

Chirping birds and Christmas bells in the Greatest City in the World (part 7) The Seasons

Posted by: Maria in December 2024 (1 year, 10 months ago)

Another thing we learnt during our visits in the Greatest City in the World was that while Hong Kong is … read more

Chirping birds and Christmas bells in the Greatest City in the World (part 6) The Cuisine

Posted by: Maria in November 2024 (1 year, 10 months ago)

While Hong Kong is first and foremost an Asian city with local culture, many parts of NYC feel like Europe, … read more

Chirping birds and Christmas bells in the Greatest City in the World (part 5) The Museums

Posted by: Maria in November 2024 (1 year, 10 months ago)

Along with their parks and gardens, both Hong Kong and New York City have some of the world's finest museums. … read more

Chirping birds and Christmas bells in the Greatest City in the World (part 4) The Parks

Posted by: Maria in November 2024 (1 year, 11 months ago)

Contrary to its nickname, NYC is more than just a concrete jungle of towering skyscrapers, much like its Asian counterpart, … read more

Chirping birds and Christmas bells in the Greatest City in the World (part 3) Lady Liberty & Co.

Posted by: Maria in October 2024 (1 year, 11 months ago)

I envision a time, many decades ago, when immigrants left their native lands to embark on a journey to the … read more

Chirping birds and Christmas bells in the Greatest City in the World (part 2) The Five Boroughs

Posted by: Maria in October 2024 (1 year, 11 months ago)

Like Hong Kong, whose territory consists of the Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories on the mainland and over 200 … read more

Chirping birds and Christmas bells in the Greatest City in the World (part 1) The Nicknames

Posted by: Maria in October 2024 (1 year, 11 months ago)

A friend once told me that Paris is “The Most Beautiful City in the World” but New York is “The … read more

"M" for Mexico (part 10) Monarch Butterflies

Posted by: Maria in August 2024 (2 years, 1 month ago)

Last but not least, Mexico is the Monarch Butterflies! Each November millions of Monarch Butterflies fly more than 4,000 kilometres, … read more

"M" for Mexico (part 9) Margarita and Mezcal

Posted by: Maria in August 2024 (2 years, 1 month ago)

Mexico is Margarita and Mezcal as well! I am sure that it is easy to picture yourself on a beach, … read more

"M" for Mexico (part 8) Mexican cuisine

Posted by: Maria in August 2024 (2 years, 2 months ago)

Mexico is, of course, the Mexican cuisine! The country is a whole new world to discover for the foodies that … read more

"M" for Mexico (part 7) Mariachis and Mojigangas

Posted by: Maria in August 2024 (2 years, 2 months ago)

Mexico is also Mariachis and Mojigangas. We saw them for the first time in the charming San Miguel de Allende. … read more

"M" for Mexico (part 6) Magical towns

Posted by: Maria in July 2024 (2 years, 2 months ago)

Mexico is its Magical Towns as well. Some of the country’s towns have “magical” qualities, including beauty, historic importance and … read more

"M" for Mexico (part 5) Museums

Posted by: Maria in July 2024 (2 years, 2 months ago)

Mexico is also the Museums... Mexico’s museums are amongst the most stunning in the world. It would be great if … read more

"M" for Mexico (part 4) Maya

Posted by: Maria in July 2024 (2 years, 2 months ago)

Mexico is the Maya as well! The Maya inhabited mainly southeast Mexico, Guatemala and Belize between 750 BC and the … read more

"M" for Mexico (part 3) Mexica

Posted by: Maria in July 2024 (2 years, 3 months ago)

Mexico, and in particular Mexico City, is of course the Mexica as well. This is how the famous Aztecs used … read more

"M" for Mexico (part 2) Murals

Posted by: Maria in June 2024 (2 years, 3 months ago)

Mexico is also the Murals. The Mexican Muralism movement began in the early 1920s after the Mexican Revolution. The Mexican … read more

"M" for Mexico (part 1) Mexico City

Posted by: Maria in June 2024 (2 years, 3 months ago)

What is the first thing coming to mind if you think of Mexico? For those of you who have never … read more

A piece of France away from France or a French baguette in the Caribbean (part 4)

Posted by: Maria in June 2024 (2 years, 3 months ago)

Grande-Terre Island may be smaller and flatter than its big mountainous neighbor but it has some pretty stunning views as … read more

A piece of France away from France or a French baguette in the Caribbean (part 3)

Posted by: Maria in June 2024 (2 years, 4 months ago)

Each island of Guadeloupe is different and has something special to awe you with! Les Saintes - Terre-de-Haut Les Saintes … read more

A piece of France away from France or a French baguette in the Caribbean (part 2)

Posted by: Maria in May 2024 (2 years, 4 months ago)

The Guadeloupean architecture will be another clue that you are not in Europe. No Haussmann, Provence or medieval buildings around! … read more

A piece of France away from France or a French baguette in the Caribbean (part 1)

Posted by: Maria in May 2024 (2 years, 4 months ago)

From an administrative point of view Guadeloupe is a French overseas region (département d'outre-mer). All shops, banks and administrative buildings … read more

Another World (part 6)

Posted by: Maria in March 2024 (2 years, 7 months ago)

Hopping from island to island in the Falkland/Malvinas Islands When life on land had become a distant memory and all … read more

Another World (part 5)

Posted by: Maria in February 2024 (2 years, 7 months ago)

A day in South Georgia After two days at rough sea, we saw the snow-capped peaks of South Georgia. Gracious … read more

Another World (part 4)

Posted by: Maria in February 2024 (2 years, 7 months ago)

Whales The third kings of Antarctica after the seals and the penguins are the whales. While we were still recovering … read more

Another World (part 3)

Posted by: Maria in February 2024 (2 years, 8 months ago)

Icebergs The first view or feeling of Antarctica is always an iceberg… Its scientific definition is fresh water ice that … read more

Another World (part 2)

Posted by: Maria in February 2024 (2 years, 8 months ago)

The Drake Passage We heard from one of our fellow expeditioners on the ship that ‘Antarctica is heaven but you … read more

Another World (part 1)

Posted by: Maria in January 2024 (2 years, 8 months ago)

“Antarctica is a separate world.” Mark Jones, Wild Ice: Antarctic Journeys, 1990 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, the Strait of Magellan, … read more

Pura Vida in the Tropics (part 2)

Posted by: Maria in July 2021 (5 years, 2 months ago)

Pura Vida means amazing encounters The highlight of Costa Rica are the animals who are vividly coloured like anything else … read more

Pura Vida in the Tropics (part 1)

Posted by: Maria in July 2021 (5 years, 2 months ago)

I don’t know about you but whenever I try to picture paradise, I usually see tons of surreal bright colours, … read more

The Little Red Dot (part 7)

Posted by: Maria in February 2021 (5 years, 7 months ago)

If Singapore was a ritual, it would be Yu Sheng. I was surprised to learn that 捞起魚生 or “tossing up … read more

The Little Red Dot (part 6)

Posted by: Maria in February 2021 (5 years, 7 months ago)

If Singapore was a house, it would be a shophouse. One of the most popular forms of local architecture are … read more

The Little Red Dot (part 5)

Posted by: Maria in February 2021 (5 years, 7 months ago)

If Singapore was a neighborhood, it would be Little India, Chinatown, Kampong Glam, Katong and Orchard. Each of these neighbourhoods … read more

The Little Red Dot (part 4)

Posted by: Maria in February 2021 (5 years, 7 months ago)

If Singapore was a restaurant, it would be a food court or a hawker centre. Hawker centres are in my … read more

The Little Red Dot (part 3)

Posted by: Maria in February 2021 (5 years, 8 months ago)

If Singapore was a fruit, it would be a durian. This oddly-looking fruit has been proclaimed the “king of fruits”. … read more

The Little Red Dot (part 2)

Posted by: Maria in February 2021 (5 years, 8 months ago)

If Singapore was a prohibition sign, it would be tons of them on a single board! Yes, there are a … read more

The Little Red Dot (part 1)

Posted by: Maria in January 2021 (5 years, 8 months ago)

Out of the few city-states still remaining in the world only one is located in Asia. It is an island, … read more

The Island of the Gods

Posted by: Maria in May 2020 (6 years, 5 months ago)

If you have watched the movie 'Eat Pray Love' you certainly remember that Julia Roberts starring as Elizabeth Gilbert, an … read more

Iguana Land (part 3)

Posted by: Maria in April 2020 (6 years, 5 months ago)

The following day on the oldest and southernmost island Española offered us the experience of a lifetime! An even closer … read more

Iguana Land (part 2)

Posted by: Maria in April 2020 (6 years, 5 months ago)

There are plenty of wonders to discover on Santa Cruz Island! However, you should definitely explore some of the other … read more

Iguana Land (part 1)

Posted by: Maria in April 2020 (6 years, 5 months ago)

'Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?' is one of the most famous paintings of … read more

Castaway in paradise

Posted by: Maria in April 2020 (6 years, 6 months ago)

Every kid has heard the story of Robinson Crusoe, a castaway on a tropical desert island who managed to survive … read more

The Land of a Million Elephants (part 2)

Posted by: Maria in April 2020 (6 years, 6 months ago)

The Royal Palace which was the residence of the kings during the French colonial era up until when the monarchy … read more

The Land of a Million Elephants (part 1)

Posted by: Maria in April 2020 (6 years, 6 months ago)

Everybody loves elephants but not so many people know that this beautiful majestic animal is also a symbol of greatness … read more

The Golden Country (part 3)

Posted by: Maria in February 2020 (6 years, 7 months ago)

The soul of Myanmar is its people who are as colourful and diverse as its temples, colonial buildings, fishing villages … read more

The Golden Country (part 2)

Posted by: Maria in October 2019 (6 years, 11 months ago)

Bagan (or Pagan, as you already noticed, everything has two names in Myanmar!) is an active religious site of thousands … read more

The Golden Country (part 1)

Posted by: Maria in September 2019 (7 years ago)

Do you remember the legend of King Midas who made a wish that whatever he touches turns into gold but … read more

Stone legends and dancing nymphs

Posted by: Maria in May 2018 (8 years, 4 months ago)

Have you ever dreamed of joining Indiana Jones in “The Temple of Doom” or Lara Croft in “Tomb Raider” in … read more

Devil’s island

Posted by: Maria in August 2017 (9 years, 1 month ago)

Everyone has heard of Taz, the Tasmanian Devil of the Warner Bros series of cartoons. The real Tasmanian Devil who … read more

Into the Oz-Wild

Posted by: Maria in August 2017 (9 years, 1 month ago)

If you want to get off the beaten path in Oz, the Indian Ocean drive along the Coral Coast north … read more

Australia’s SouthWest - the meeting point of two oceans

Posted by: Maria in August 2017 (9 years, 2 months ago)

Have you ever wondered how it felt to travel back in time? read more

Aussie farniente and prison break in heaven

Posted by: Maria in July 2017 (9 years, 2 months ago)

‘G’day, mate! How are you today?’ read more

Surfing through Great Ocean sculptures & Melb street art

Posted by: Maria in December 2016 (9 years, 10 months ago)

There are roads and there are mythical roads! Even though the Australian coastline roads are all beautiful, there is one … read more

50 shades of golden and blue

Posted by: Maria in November 2016 (9 years, 10 months ago)

People call it the Sunshine State because it experiences over 300 days of sunshine each year. Besides the always present … read more

From aboriginal art to opera arias Down Under

Posted by: Maria in October 2016 (9 years, 11 months ago)

There is a place on our small planet which is a mystery and a dream for many people in the … read more

Planet Japan

Posted by: Maria in October 2016 (9 years, 11 months ago)

Even after a few journeys, Japan remains a complete mystery to any foreigner. read more

Wonder-Land of the Long White Cloud... the South Island

Posted by: Maria in October 2016 (10 years ago)

Crossing the Cook Strait switching from one gorgeous fjord to another is the preamble of what you will see on … read more

Wonder-Land of the Long White Cloud... the North Island

Posted by: Maria in October 2016 (10 years ago)

Kia ora and haere mai (or ‘hello’ and 'welcome' in maori)! read more

Colours and smiles of the Pacific (part 3)

Posted by: Maria in September 2016 (10 years ago)

Besides the SMILES , the COLOURS of Vanuatu will make you feel like you have been shaken in a magical … read more

Colours and smiles of the Pacific (part 2)

Posted by: Maria in September 2016 (10 years ago)

Whether you are in a school, on a bus or on a playground, SMILES are everywhere! Even when you are … read more

Colours and smiles of the Pacific (part 1)

Posted by: Maria in September 2016 (10 years ago)

Vanuatu can be defined with two words - COLOURS and SMILES ! read more

A search for happiness above the clouds... (part 3)

Posted by: Maria in September 2016 (10 years ago)

Happiness is also watching the pride in the eyes of the Bhutanese when they see their one and only CHOPPER … read more

A search for happiness above the clouds... (part 2)

Posted by: Maria in September 2016 (10 years ago)

So, what is happiness? What definitely is not happiness is material richness and anyone who thought that Bhutanese are happy … read more