Category: Travel

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Travel/

Giza & Cairo – A historic getaway

January 2024 – Alright, hands down to have an amazing local experience of Giza, Saqqara Necropolis and Memphis you have to get a local guide. Egypt is a country full of history, and Giza (an Egyptian city on the west bank of the Nile, near Cairo) is really like an open air museum. To get a chance to enjoy it you have to make sure you are not being hassled by locals trying to sell you things, or take you on tours and trick you. We can definitely validate that as we attempted to visit the Giza pyramids and the Sphinx on our own and it was an exhausting 3 hour adventure. Locals were trying to make us ride camels, take pictures with camels and make us pay, sell us local souvenirs. It is too much to handle. It is understandable as the past 5-7 years Egypt inflation is through the roof and people are trying to make ends meet the best way they can. We gave it another go with a guide and honestly it was an absolute pleasure.

Getting a local tour guide (for Giza, Saqqara Necropolis, Memphis)

We booked a tour with the company Emo Tours Egypt and were lucky enough to meet Hamdy our egyptologist guide and Ali our driver. They made this experience as smooth as possible. We love knowing historic facts about the places we visit and Hamdy gave it his all in a very visionary and memorable way. He was super flexible and adjusted his approach to our wants.

Tour details (for Giza, Saqqara Necropolis, Memphis)
  • We visited the following:
    1. Giza Pyramids – Cheops, Chephren and Mykerinos
    2. Sphinx – Legendary guardian with a lion’s body and the head of King Chephren
    3. Saqqara Necropolis – Step pyramid for King Zoser and explore the inside of Unas pyramid
    4. Memphis – Ancient Capital of Egypt
    5. Local crafts store – We requested this to get our own tailored Egyptian Cartouche (read more details below)
  • Duration: 8 hours
  • Private tour
  • Lunch was included at a local restaurant with traditional food
  • Entrance fees to the Giza Pyramids, Saqqara Necropolis and Memphis was included
  • Tips were excluded along
  • You could opt for a camel ride for an extra fee (wasn’t our cup of tea so didn’t go for it)
Egyptian Cartouche (for Cairo)
In Egyptian hieroglyphs, a cartouche is an oval with a line at one end tangent to it, indicating that the text enclosed is a royal name (source Wikipedia). In many local stores you get the option to get a silver Cartouche with your name written in hieroglyphics. That is exactly what we did and we explored two possible ways to get this done. The cheaper way was at the Al Khalil Market in Cairo. To get your own silver Cartouche (2 sided engraving) the price was 750 Egyptian pounds (around €22). You place your order on the spot and they make it there – it takes around 30 minutes.
Food (for Cairo)
Well, it’s no secret that I am not much of a foodie. Martin insisted that it’s not a Cairo experience if we don’t eat at Abou Tarek and he was right. This multistory restaurant that serves only one dish: koshary which is a traditional Egyptian vegetarian dish made with chickpeas, lentils, tomato sauce, vinegar, fried onions, rice, and noodles. It was delicious and soooo filling and the waiter was making fun of us for selecting the small dish option. But it was definitely more than enough. It is a nice local experience and I would definitely recommend it.
Where to stay (for Giza)
Ok this is not the most affordable option but we were really lucky as Martin has a Mariott Bonvoy Titanium Elite status. This gives us discounts, free upgrades to amazing rooms and free access to the executive lounge. So this is where we stayed and was an absolute pleasure with the best view right by the Giza pyramids.
Tips
  • Don’t drink water from the tap as it could upset your stomach. Get a bottle of purified water instead. Use purified water for brushing your teeth too. It is not worth the risk of feeling unwell during your holiday.
  • Visit Egypt during October to April, that is when the weather is best (i.e. not too hot) and it can make the whole experience more pleasant.
  • Uber: it is definitely safe to use Uber in Cairo, however, make sure that you have an e-sim and thus access to the internet at all times. It can get a bit hectic in the city centre during pick hours so a good signal is a must have. If they tell you at the airport that it’s forbidden, not allowed or doesn’t work don’t believe them.
  • Cash: You can withdraw Egyptian pounds from the ATM. In general most nice hotels, restaurants, even the Giza tickets can be paid via credit / debit card. It is a good idea to carry some cash for you for the market and other places you want to visit that may not give you that availability.

To many more travels to come.

Yours,

Tati

Travel/

El-Nido Palawan, Philippines – An underrated gem

August 2023 – We decided that we want to explore Asia a bit more and this year we chose a destination that combines relaxation with adventure, El-Nido Palawan. We visited El-Nido off season (rainy season) and we don’t regret it. We were very lucky as we enjoyed 8 days of sunshine and it was definitely not very busy which made our whole experience even more enjoyable.

What to do

  • Tour A, B, C & D: There are some predetermined tours called A, B, C and D many local providers are offering. We have tried tours A and B and they were pretty amazing. It’s definitely worth it as you can visit so many beautiful little islands, snorkel, kayak (depending on the tour) and it’s a really good value for money. Prices vary between Php 1,200-1,400 (Circa €22-25) for a day tour that also includes your lunch. We booked our tours via our hotels which is the usual way these tours are arranged. Our tour company was “David John Travel and Tours” and the tour guides were absolutely amazing, helpful, knowledgeable and supportive – Reggie and John John you rock. You can see an overview of the destinations and respective pricing below.
  • Kayaking: Depending on where you are staying you can rent a kayak for the day and visit the local beaches at your on pace, bring your snacks and enjoy this beautiful paradise at your own pace. The price for a day rental is around Php 800 (Circa €13).
  • Canopy Walk: The canopy walk is a nice and easy way to hike up the Taraw Cliff. It is basically a guided walk up to the cliff using the appropriate equipment (harness & helmet) and it takes around 30 minutes both ways. It is suited for families and children and it also works if you are not athletic. There is one suspension bridge on the way to the top that you may consider if you have a fear of heights. That was definitely Martin’s least favourite part. It costs Php 700 (Circa €12) and it is strongly recommended cause the view is amazing. I personally went on the walk with my flip flops on which wasn’t the best idea, wear your sandals or sports shoes and you should be more than fine.
  • Las Cabañas Beach: This is a strongly recommended beach for sunset watching. We went there early afternoon and enjoyed the view at one of the many beach bar restaurants of the area (Maremegmeg Beach Club) named after the 100 years old Maremegmeg tree that is right in front of it. Read more information in the “Where to eat” section below.
  • Napcan Beach: This beach is quite far from the town but it is worth paying a visit. It is approximately 4km long and it is absolutely beautiful. We found an amazing tricycle (or Tuk Tuk) driver Nico Olvinar which you can contact via Facebook / Messenger if you are interested. He drove us to Napcan Beach and back (this is a half day trip) as it is 45 min away from the town for Php 1000 (Circa €16).

Where to eat

As you may know already I am a vegetarian so food in El Nido – Palawan was a challenge. I usually go for the local cuisine but this was not really feasible as most local delicacies contain meat. So these are the following alternative options I would recommend based on our experience:

  • Big Bad Thai: Located right in the centre of El Nido town this is an amazing option if you like Thai food. It has a nice variety of Thai food options you will definitely enjoy. There are also a few options for vegetarians as well. [You can pay by card here]
  • Skybar H Hotel – Piece of Sky: This is a beautiful rooftop bar at the top of H Hotel, a newly established hotel, with a perfect view of the El Nido beach. It has a very modern vibe and a nice collection of food and drinks. The same hotel has a vegetarian restaurant we didn’t get a chance to try but heard amazing things for. [You can pay by card here]
  • Bella Vita: This place was walking distance from our hotel (right on Corong Corong beach) – 3 minute walk on the beach depending on the tide. It is very cute and cozy with some nice Italian options for lunch or dinner. [You can only pay by cash here]
  • Maremegmeg Beach Club: Nice options of western food, local made juices and cocktails, exactly what to need to watch the sunset at the “Las Cabañas Beach”. According to Martin, it’s a nice place – “The piñas were quite coladas“.

I recommend tasting the local tropical juices and coconut water which are available everywhere on the island. They are fresh and delicious in any combination.

Where to stay

Maligaya Beach Bungalows if your answer. When it came to El Nido we decided that we want a quiet stay really close to town and Maligaya Beach Bungalows was definitely the best choice.

  • Staff: Beverlie & Ian have been amazing. We do travel the world but it was the first time we got such a warm welcome. Beverlie was kind enough to give us a lot of details on food, activities, laundry, tours and answer all our questions. She really loves what she does. The both of them would be a reason to come back to this little paradise.
  • Room: The rooms are absolutely beautiful, they are just 5 in number. We got the one that was facing the beach and we had an amazing time. Really clean and comfy, they equipped with air conditioning and fans so you will more than survive the warm climate.
  • Breakfast: There were available upon pay different sets of breakfast. Really nice choices and they bring them to your room upon time request with a creative touch. Loved it.
  • Location: Just a 5 minute ride via tricycle from town located right on the Corong Corong beach. This beach is not amazing for swimming especially during the time of year we went (August 2023) but it’s the starting point of the tours you definitely want to do (Tour A, B, C & D). You can walk there, no hustle. It is also a 3 minute beach walk (depending on the tide) to a nice Italian Restaurant (Bella Vita).

We are so happy we didn’t choose to stay in town. This way we had the relaxing and joyful experience we were going for.

Tips

  • In most places you can only pay with cash so make sure you have enough cash with you.
  • Exchange money at the Manila airport, alternatively you may exchange money at the local banks in the El-Nido town, however, the whole process may take more than an hour.
  • Choose a hotel that is away for the town traffic and noise.
  • You can move around via a tricycle (or tuk tuk) they are very affordable.
  • Bring your water shoes, you will need them during island hopping tours.
  • Bring mosquito repellant with you and some after bite cream and make sure you have something appropriate for jelly fish bites as well (just in case you get beaten on the bum like we were).
  • Bring your Go Pro (or other action camera) and buy a waterproof case for your phone and take it with you on the tours.
  • Have fun, people here are so nice. Learn some of the basic words in Filipino and that’s all they need. (“Salamat” we definitely used often which means thank you).
Travel/

Trip to Pelion, Greece – an undisputed paradise for nature lovers

June 2023 – I was honoured to have been asked to become the Godmother for my dearest friends’ child in Pelion, Greece and that is how our adventure started. It is truly paradise on earth with the perfect combination of turquoise blue waters and lush vegetation. The christening took place at the village called Tsangarada. We enjoyed it to the fullest and are definitely going back on the first occasion.

How to get there

Arrive at the Sallonika airport and take a rental car and drive all the way to Pilion Greece (approximately 270 km). The ride is absolutely beautiful, the road is a bit bendy towards the end of the ride so beware in case you get car nauseous. Make sure you have water with you and some snacks.  It is a 4 hour drive including small stops on the way.

Where to stay

We absolutely loved our stay at Iris’ guesthouse. The owners were absolutely wonderful, so friendly and caring. They prepared home-made breakfast for us every single morning using their own local products and it was delicious. They even own a store at the local village, Tsangarada selling their handmade products, herbs, jam, and more.They upgraded our room for free and we got a chance to enjoy every single morning the beautiful view of the Aegean Sea.

We had a bumpy ride trying to get to one of the beaches which ended up in a flat tire which apparently is not that uncommon in the area. We tried contacting the car rental company but it would take ages to get to the nearest city to get it fixed. Instead our amazing hosts just called a local friend and had our tire fixed in no time.They really did make is feel like home.

What to do

Beach hopping of course. I am highlighting below a couple of the beaches we went to that we absolutely loved.

Drive to the path leading to Fakistra beach and then wear your water shoes or your sports shoes and go for a little hike downhill. It may be a little bit tiring but it’s absolutely worth it because it will be one of the best beaches you’ve ever seen or swam in. Turquoise blue crystal clear water, surrounded by an amazing lush scenery and  a small waterfall leading directly to the sea. An alternative way to get there is kayaking from other near by more accessible beaches.

We were so lucky, we visited this place in early June and the weather was just right for a lovely day at the beach. Not too hot and not too cold. We went on a work day so there was literally no one there except for an amazing local restaurant that offered us a delicious home made Mediterranean meal. I have traveled around the world a bit so far, but I have never seen such a beautiful beach. I was staring at the horizon for a couple of minutes and was so lucky to spot 10 dolphins or so happily swimming across the Aegean sea. That’s what I call tranquillity and happiness.

Travel/

The perfect day road trip: Roßtrappe – Quedlinburg

January 2023 – Alright if you are as lucky as I am and have the chance to visit Germany with a local then the experience will definitely exceed your expectations. That’s what we did, planned a day trip from Berlin to two iconic destinations Roßtrappe & Quedlinburg.

I was overjoyed visiting both of these destinations and I would totally recommend them. So what are you waiting for? Add them to your bucket list.

A glimpse of Roßtrappe

Let me tell you about this beautiful valley, which takes its name from what is supposedly a horse’s hoof print, visible in stone on the cliff, left by the mythical Brunhilde when she sprang over the gorge on horseback to avoid marrying the giant Bodo. He leapt after her, landing in a watery grave, horse and all. (Source: Lonely Planet).

We drove directly from Berlin and got to the valley by driving through Thale, a town in the Harz (454 m above sea level, district in Saxony-Anhalt). We parked right next to Akzent Berghotel Rosstrappe and made our way to the view point which was really close in proximity walking distance. I was really excited when I realized that the valley was covered in snow.
It felt like pure magic! we walked to the view point and enjoyed the breathtaking scenery. But why don’t you see for yourself.

A glimpse of Quedlinburg

Following the breathtaking views of Roßtrappe beautiful valley, we headed to the UNESCO world heritage town, Quedlinburg. A town known for its medieval streets, its castle complex and for the best cheesecake out there as per German media or Käsekuchen as the Germans call it. Wondering around this beautiful town has been a wonderful experience, it truly felt as if we were walking into a fairytale. A picture is worth a thousand words, that’s what they say isn’t it?

You have to get to “Vincent Cafe” and try out the different variations they offer and you will definitely not regret it. We did! It was the perfect end to a really cold day.

Oh by the way, as we were driving to Quedlinburg we stopped quickly at Thale. There was a local carnival parade which was nice to watch from the comfort and warmth of our car of course. I am from Cyprus after all, not exactly made for snow.

How we got there

I definitely suggest renting a car for the day, it makes things easier and more convenient.

Travel/

Hallstatt: The perfect postcard destination

December 2022 – All right this was a last minute getaway and it definitely exceeded my expectations. Hallstatt is a beautiful small town in Austria, right by the Hallstätter lake. As soon as you get there you will feel like you’ve walked into a fairytale. We visited this breathtaking town during Christmas time and it was worth it but surely this place is just as magical any time of the year. Usually people prefer to do a day trip to Hallstatt from Vienna. If that’s the case since the train ride is minimum 3.5 hrs they will get to Hallstatt at around 12.00. If you are planning to spend the night like we did, then definitely aim for a morning walk to avoid the crowds. It’s worth it, you will have the time to take it all in and enjoy this beautiful town. Two days are more than enough to explore.

Where to stay

There are beautiful hotels in the Hallstatt town itself, with easy access. Since we booked everything last minute we had to book a hotel at a nearby town ( Obertraun ) which wasn’t that convenient (even though it was beautiful) as we had to use the ferry two days in a row.

What to do

Hallstatt viewpoint 

The postcard shot taken at the Hallstatt viewpoint. Go there early in the morning to avoid the crowds and take your beautiful shot.

Hallstatt Waterfall

The waterfall is just a short walk away from the centre of the town so it is worth it to pay a visit. It is an uphill walk but still you will the chance se it right next two one of the parking places.

Hallstatt Skywalk

This is an observation deck where you can view the entire town from the top. You can get there by taking the cable car. A round trip costs €20. Be sure to get there well in before the last ride which is at 16:30. By the time we got there we had 30 minutes to spare but there was a humongous queue of people waiting to decent. In the end we queued for around 45 minutes and managed to descend at around 17:00. Get there early in order to have a chance to explore and also visit the world’s oldest salt mine as well.

Enjoy yourself 

This is a beautiful place be sure to have some time to relax, visit local coffee shops and souvenir shops, eat well and of course enjoy the company of the many swans that live near by. Tourists tend to feed them a lot so they seem to be quite friendly. Now I would advice against feeding the swans as it seems that the bread and other food we give them is not good for them after all. Taking a nice picture is not worth risking the life of a wild animal.

How to get there

Well there are a few ways with which you can get to Hallstatt. 

By train & ferry

We took the train from Vienna Central Train station. It was a 3,5 hr ride. To book your tickets you can visit Trainline. Tip: choose the ride that will not include any train changes. The cost of the train is around €50 each way.

As soon as you get to the Hallstatt train station you will need to take the ferry to cross the lake and get to the city. A return ticket costs €7 (if you are there just for the day you can store your luggage as soon as you get off from the ferry for €3).

By car

If you are on a roadtrip which you definitely know by now I strongly recommend you will get straight to the town and access the free parking available. There are a few parking spots available. Generally note that there are no cars allowed within the town itself other than the ones locals use. 

Travel/

Cenotes in Mexico – a unique and refreshing adventure

August 2022 – I was so thrilled when my friend Theodora (friend of mine from uni) reached out and asked my to be her plus one at her best friends wedding. I jumped at the opportunity to explore Mexico with her and of course her lovely Mexican and Norwegian friends. Right before the wedding when everyone started to get to know each other we went on a beautiful group activity in Puerto Morelos (Yucatan Peninsula) to explore the magnificent Cenotes. The Cenotes Zapote Eco Park was really close to the hotel we were staying and the wedding venue so it was our first choice and definitely wasn’t one to regret.

Cenotes

Let me start off by saying that Cenotes (pronounced: se -no-te) are large sinkholes / caves / natural pits formed by the collapse of surface limestone, filled with cool and clear groundwater. Some of them are overground (open Cenotes) and some of them are underground. We chose to take the Zapote tour that included access to four (4) different cenotes (two open cenotes and two undeground ones). We paid 55 USD per person (adults) and our local Mexican friends mentioned that this a reasonable price and it was pretty convenient as we had a guide with us the entire time. The guides were very friendly and were sharing with us all necessary information.

Facilities

  • 4 cenotes (I recall the names for two of them: Las Palmas Cenote & Cenote El Abuelo Che Che)
  • Zip line circuit
  • Mountain bikes
  • Life jackets
  • Lockers
  • Restrooms
  • Restaurant
  • Hammocks
  • Round trip shuttle

What to take with you

  • A waterproof camera or your phone in a plastic case
  • Wear your bathing suit
  • Dry towel
  • Comfortable shoes

It’s an amazing experience, if you are with a group of friends or your family you will definitely enjoy it. You get the chance to swim or float or jump even in some of the cenotes. Our group of friends kept jumping again and again in the open water cenotes and loved every minute of it. The water is very clean and if you look closely you will observe some turtles and fish in there. In the underground cenotes the water is a bit colder but it is worth it as you will be amazed by the scenery.

Stay tuned for more adventures in Mexico!

Travel/

Dolomites: An unforgettable adventure – Sassolungo

June2022 – Have you ever wondered what adventure really feels like? If yes, then you definitely need to visit Dolomites (a UNESCO world heritage site located in the Northern Italian Alps). It’s the experience of a lifetime whether you are a climber, hiker, biker, cyclist, nature lover or even an animal lover! Scenic views that take your breath away! All you have to do is just look at the pictures to convince yourself this is a destination you definitely need to add on your bucket list. 

We were a group of 14 adventure- minded Cypriots ready to explore and take it all in. During our first day of our seven day adventure we went to Mt Sassolungo. We parked our cars by the cable car station (renting a car is strongly recommended as it will give you the freedom to navigate without limitations – remember to download an offline version of google maps as the reception is not great in all areas). We then headed for a mini hike and for single pitch sport climbing routes. The view was breathtaking! 

We then took the cable car, € 22 for a return trip to the top of the mountain, where you can find a cute cozy restaurant – Rifugio Toni Demetz at an altitude of 2685m, ideal to enjoy the view from the top and a hot cup of ginger tea. When taking the cable car be prepared, you have to run and jump in the gondola as they call it. The staff will guide you as to what you need to do. Alternatively, you can hike to the top of the mountain and back. It’s a demanding hike so be prepared.

A five minute drive away from the parking lot at Sassolungo we saw a valley with little holes in the ground (right across Hotel Mariaflora). Within a couple of minutes we spotted two fluffy Marmots wandering around, when they realized we were watching they went straight to their underground home. We decided to get closer and wait patiently for them to make an appearance and guess what, they did! Cute, fluffy and funny, that’s the only way I can describe them.

Where to stay:

The 14 of us stayed at La Stua apartments, a cozy and comfortable accommodation, at a perfect location with breathtaking views. Every morning, I enjoyed a hot cup of tea gazing at the hills right behind the apartment, waiting patiently for the wild deers, hares and marmots to make an appearance. 

P.S. If you plan on taking a picture of a wild animal, patience is key

Travel/

Thermal waterfalls in Tuscany: Cascate del Mulino

October 2021, the second day of an amazing road trip in Italy and following an overnight stay in Pitigliano, a beautiful town located in the Tuscany region, we took our rental car and headed very early in the morning to Cascade del Mulino, thermal waterfalls located just a few kilometers from the village of Saturnia. Looks amazing doesn’t it? The entrance to the springs of sulfuric water is free and that is exactly why you have to go very early in the morning as soon it will get packed with locals and tourists. The temperature of the water is 37.5° C, creating open-air thermal pools. The experience is amazing and relaxing once you get the chance to secure a comfortable spot and the best part is Cascate del Mulino is open all year round 24/7.

What to bring

1. Your swimsuit
2. Water shoes (to protect your feet from the rocks as they can get slippery)
3. Towel / Bath rope
4. Dry clothes
5. An underwater sports camera (if you have one)

How to get there and where to park

We got there by car from Pitigliano, about a 30 min drive (23km away). There is a car park right outside the thermal waterfall which is easily accessible. It is strongly recommended to rent a car if you are keen to explore the Tuscany region in Italy. It’s worth it! You will be able to take your time at every stop and enjoy your adventures abroad. If your trip abroad is approaching, hurry up. Due to the pandemic lately a rental car is the preferred means of transportation.
Just download a navigation app like Waze. It’s absolutely amazing, helps you navigate and warns you about speed cameras or hazards in the road.

 

Where to stay

As previously mentioned we stayed at a near by town, Pitigliano, an absolutely stunning ancient town built on tuff rock. Also known for as “Little Jerusalem” for the historical presence of a Jewish community, Pitigliano is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. We rented an earth house via AirBnB for the night, La Grotta, which means cave in English. Surprisingly enough it looked exactly like a cave inside, with an amazing panoramic view of the town. It is by far the most unique accommodation I’ve stayed in the past decade.
Stay tuned, there’s more to read and explore!
Note that Cascate del Mulino is different to the Terme di Saturnia – the latter is a luxurious spa resort so don’t get confused when you get to Saturnia.
Travel/

Walking into a fairy-tale: Strasbourg – Colmar – Eguisheim

January 2019 – I had to be in Paris for work and thought to myself, I need to combine this with a short adventure. I reached out to a good friend of mine and asked her whether she would join and she said yes. That’s how this mini escape started and turned out to be an amazing trip.

Strasbourg

Located in the Alsace region (the German region of France; next to Germany and Switzerland), Strasbourg is a mesmerizing destination. If you ever choose to visit Strasbourg you definitely need to stay in “Petite France (Little France)” area. It’s literally like walking into a fairy-tale. The streets were still decorated for Christmas. A perfect wintery scenery! It was a bit freezing for us (being Mediterranean and all) but breath-taking. There was only one thing missing from turning this into the perfect winter get-away… Snow. That’s what we kept discussing with my friend and just our luck, the last day of our trip we woke up and everything was covered in snow. It was 6 am and I begged my friend to get out and start taking pictures of the fantastic scenery. Luckily she said yes, and to tell you the truth it was totally worth it, we were ecstatic.

But why don’t I show you.

Petite France – on a snowy day

How to get there

By train: We took a train from Paris to Strasbourg, booked it online to make sure there are available seats via https://en.oui.sncf/en/ouigo

By plane: You can fly there to Strasbourg Airport if it’s convenient to you. Use skyscanner.net to identify flights that are most suited for you and your itinerary.

By car: You can always rent a car and use it to explore the near by towns as well.

Where to stay

We booked our stay at this fantastic boutique hotel “Hotel Suisse”. Cute and cozy, those are the words that come to mind first. If we are ever back in Strasbourg it will definitely be our number one choice.

What I bought and absolutely loved

Well of course the handcrafted German wooden Cuckoo clocks. My grandma used to have one in her living room and I always wanted to get one myself. When I walked into a local store with handcrafted wooden clocks, right in the centre of Petite France, I couldn’t resist.

Worth seeing in Strasbourg

  1. The iconic Petite France Area
  2. The Strasbourg cathedral
  3. The covered bridges (“Les Ponts Couverts de Strasbourg”)
  4. Vauban Barrage (“Vauban Dam”)

Colmar

We jumped into a train and in just 30 minutes we were in Colmar. It was absolutely freezing for us so we had to make a short stop to a local store and buy an additional sweater to wear. But it was worth it, Colmar was as beautiful as Strasbourg. Amazing narrow little streets, wooden houses, fairy-tale vibe. We walked into a local coffee shop and enjoyed our coffee and tea gazing at the beautiful view. 

Eguisheim

Despite the really cold weather we decided to walk there. It was a 2 hour long pace walk that gave us the opportunity to take lot’s of pictures and walk through the vine yards. I would suggest to go the in Autumn if you want to see the vine yards, the town will be a bit busier and you will also get a chance to visit local shops, eat and taste the local wine. By the time we got there the town was empty, mostly because we were there off-season but we didn’t mind at all. We started walking around the centre of the town… and there it was the street Eguisheim is mostly known for. Trust me in real life is much more beautiful.  Just grab a map or use your phone and get yourself lost in the narrow streets of the old centre of Eguisheim.

We wanted to go back to Colmar and the only way there (besides walking) was a taxi. We walked into the information centre and asked a kind lady there to call for one as considering the small size of Eguisheim taxis are only available from Colmar.

Interesting fact: The Alsace region has long been associated with White Storks (Ciconia Ciconia). They represent tenacity, loyalty and fidelity of the region’s inhabitants.

Petite France on a snowy morning

P.S. I loved all three destinations I had to go back. But I’ll tell you about this story later on.

Travel/

Kanchanaburi – Our unique stay at a floating hotel

August 2018 – There are literally no words to describe our experience at River Kwai Jungle Rafts a floating hotel or floatel in Kanchanaburi – Thailand. How did it all start? Well we decided to spend 3 weeks in Thailand. The first 2 weeks we explored Thailand through an adventurous holiday we booked via Shoestring, a fantastic travel agency. It offered a very well organized itinerary through which we got the chance to meet our amazing local tour guide, Wan and other likeminded wanderers. But let me tell you a bit more about the floatel.

Key facts to know

Facilities – When we arrived the hotel we realized that as the name suggests, it floats on the river Kwai. The coolest thing about this floatel is that it is ecofriendly, which means that throughout our stay there was no electricity! The rooms were made of local bamboo and decorated with wood, the shower was outdoors facing the river bank for more privacy and our porch was equipped with a veeeery comfortable hammocks. They also have wellness facilities and and a local restaurant where you can enjoy the delicious Thai local food. In the evening we enjoyed a live traditional and Mon tribal performance. This was definitely a unique experience.

The River Jump & other activities – When we got there (a 20 minute ride from the Phutakian Pier via a long-tail boat) they told us that we could actually swim or float in the river if we wanted to. I was trying to figure out how exactly we were going to do that. Well the hotel provided us with lifejackets and instructed us on how to stay safe while jumping from one end of the floatel to the other. The so called “River Jump”! We enjoyed “swimming” or “floating” in the river so much that we kept going in again and again. From a point onwards we literally couldn’t stop laughing. Other activities you can enjoy at the floatel include boat trips, canoeing, paddling, you can even participate in cooking classes.

Our morning surprise

The day after we had to go! We kept wishing our stay at this floatel would last longer. While getting ready to depart from the floatel I saw a group of people (tourists probably) approaching the river bank and speaking in a language that I couldn’t understand! ( So far I can only speak fluently Greek and English). That’s when I asked my cousin Leda to go over there and check out what was going on. And so she did, standing by the crowd, trying to figure out what everyone is staring at.

She said to me “Tati, I can’t see anything. Everyone is staring at the river bank but I honestly can’t understand why!”. That’s when I decided to join her and try to solve the mystery. And then I saw it…a huge elephant bathing in the river. I started laughing and I couldn’t stop, I completely forgot that Leda did not have her eye lenses on. “It’s an elephant, I can’t believe it. But Leda mou, it’s huge I can’t believe you couldn’t spot it” (mou means my dear in Greek).  We immediately crossed the bridge that was connecting the floatel with the local village and went there to take a closer look. The elephant was friendly and a guide was escorting it so we got the chance to get even closer. We were ecstatic! I took a picture let me show you!

Honestly that’s it one of the funniest and concurrently most fascinating moments I’ve experienced travelling abroad.

And that is why I definitely recommend staying at a floatel if you are ever in Kanchanaburi!