Tag: budget travel

My 2023 Travel Plans: Inspiring, Ambitious or Pie in the Sky?

My 2023 Travel Plans: Inspiring, Ambitious or Pie in the Sky?

Hot on the heels of my 2022 travel year comes the 2023 travel plans, or intentions, as the hip ones like to say now. If my speed of writing this blog is anything to go by, I might have finished it in a week or 

Great travel on a budget in economic uncertainty

Great travel on a budget in economic uncertainty

Here in Central Europe, we are good at doom and gloom after nearly three years of pandemic and nearly a year of war at our doorstep.  Not to mention other conflicts not so far from us – Israel-Palestine, various environmental disasters, and now… if media 

Why not visit Turkey this year? Here is what you need for a wonderful trip!

Why not visit Turkey this year? Here is what you need for a wonderful trip!

Turkey has recently been one of the places to escape the madness, the overtime and the ever changing sets of rules that have dictated life in the past two years. Have you considered to visit Turkey this year? And while I am making more vague 

Visiting graceful Venice after a long Lockdown

Visiting graceful Venice after a long Lockdown

After nine travel-free months this reluctant traveller stepped onto an airplane and visited a place outside home and work for the first time. I went to Venice after a long Lockdown!  I think the last time I had such a long gap of travel was 

The Beauty of Kakheti Winelands of Georgia

The Beauty of Kakheti Winelands of Georgia

Fresh off our minibus from Stepantsminda/Kazbegi and still shuddering a bit, we wanted to go somewhere warm and quiet. We had heard about  the beauty of Kakheti and despite having tried our best  and failed with the qvevri style “original Georgian Wine”,  we were curious 

Learn to Sail on a RYA Competent Crew Course in Gibraltar

Learn to Sail on a RYA Competent Crew Course in Gibraltar

Throw back to late summer 2012, and a boat trip through the Vieux Port: As we glided past moored sailing yachts against the backdrop of a sunny Marseille, I decided that I must learn to sail. I have always liked water, and anything on or 

Florence in high season – mad, bad and dangerous for you?

Florence in high season – mad, bad and dangerous for you?

This mad dog is back from Florence! So, what is Florence in high season like? After seeing to the killer migraine and draining a few humongous blisters, I now want to tell you all about it. Is Florence in high season a good idea? As 

What can you realistically expect from a Day Trip to Wadi Rum?

What can you realistically expect from a Day Trip to Wadi Rum?

When I planned my little winter sun trip to Jordan, I didn’t plan on visiting Wadi Rum.  My priorities were on Petra, catching some sun in Aqaba and viewing the Desert Castles east of Amman. So I simply ran out of time. However, after seeing 

Two Days in Samarkand: What not to miss (Part Two)

Two Days in Samarkand: What not to miss (Part Two)

I had the opportunity to fulfill a big dream, thanks to an unexpected week off work and the end of the Uzbek visa rule in March.  And I had to act fast before this gift of extra time was to be booked up. Quickly I 

Two Days in Samarkand – what not to miss (Part One)

Two Days in Samarkand – what not to miss (Part One)

My impromptu Silk Road trip to Samarkand and Bukhara lasted six days, including two long flights, and time was a bit of an issue. What to do if you have limited time, want to see everything, but don’t want to spend a ton of money 

Yerevan to Tatev and back in a Day’s Journey

Yerevan to Tatev and back in a Day’s Journey

When you travel to Armenia, you will undoubtledly be offered a tour of the Country.  But will you really need one to see the noteworthy sights, or are Armenia tours something for those who like their trips super organised? And what about Tatev, pretty much 

The Pillars of Hercules: Easy trips from Gibraltar

The Pillars of Hercules: Easy trips from Gibraltar

Would you think of Gibraltar as a to-go place to learn sailing in the sun? Perhaps, if you are from the UK but otherwise? Croatia, Turkey, Portugal and Spain all spring to mind for super nearly all-year round sailing holidays, but Gibraltar? Well, deeply entrenched 

Hotel Review Marble House, Athens: perfect for an autumn culture break

Hotel Review Marble House, Athens: perfect for an autumn culture break

Last October, I went to Athens to catch a bit of sun. We spent three days in Athens and three days on Aegina Island. In Athens, we stayed at the Marble House Hotel. We could not have wished for a better hotel: quiet, friendly, individual, and 

Florence: 10 bites of advice from the mad dog

Florence: 10 bites of advice from the mad dog

Yes, yes, listicles are so great, and lovely for SEO. So I am going to write one, too. It’s not gonna be great, but I promise it will be an easy read.  It might provide you with some useful inspiration about what to do and 

Greece in Autumn? Yes, please!

Greece in Autumn? Yes, please!

Greece is a wonderful place to visit out of season. In fact, Greece in autumn is son wonderful that I’ve been to Greece in the months of October well into November again and again. Autumn in Greece is still warm You know, that time when