the Travel Enthusiast
- 10 Mar
Adventure travel in Ukraine
Kiev
For many travelers, Ukraine is like a blank spot on the map, remembered for past disasters or political unrest. But for those who have visited it, Ukraine is a treasure trove of mystery, adventure, and most of all, culture.
As a former Russian country, Ukraine has a fair number of cities brimming with chunky Soviet architecture, grandiose monuments, and gloomy grey forests of apartment blocks.
But Ukraine also has incredible scenery that remained out of the grasp of mainstream tourism, with few facilities and hard to find – that is, Ukraine has the perfect setting for an adventure. With the country’s dramatic landscapes and many natural wonders, adventure travel in Ukraine is some of the best you could find anywhere. …
- 06 Marpapillon in Travel Planning | NO COMMENTS
The spookiest buildings in the world
Wat Rong Khun, photo by beggs on Flickr
Buildings can favor function over form, or be a feast for the eyes, or both, but in some cases the form seems to be intended not to give architects and architecture fans shiver or delight, but shivers of a different kind. To put it simply, some buildings in the world are creepy, so much that many would prefer to sleep without a roof over their head rather than spend the night in these monstrous structures.
Whether the creepy factor was an accident or an attempt to instill awe in onlookers and residents is a matter of debate. What’s certain is that some of the spookiest buildings in the world can easily become nightmare fodder for those with impressionable imaginations. …
- 20 Janlizzy_a in Fun and Travel | NO COMMENTS
Easter around the world: the Balkans and Eastern Europe
Plovdiv
Easter is celebrated by Christians of all kinds, but depending on culture and rite, different Easter traditions and customs. The Balkans have always danced to their own tune, even when it comes to religion.
Much of the Balkans is Eastern Orthodox, and if you come from a place with a majority of Catholics or Protenstants etc, you might discover that Eastern is a whole different kettle of fish in the Balkans. Although the gist of the holidays is the same as anywhere else, what makes Easter in the Balkans really unique is the way in which it is celebrated.
In addition to the fact that Orthodox Easter is usually on a different date than the one used by Western Christianity, there are a lot of interesting traditions that make Easter a perfect time to visit the Balkans. So if you’re interested in cultural experiences, how about checking out how people celebrate Easter around the world – the Balkans and Eastern Europe are a good place to start. …
- 15 Sep
Mysterious Ukraine: top 5 travel destinations
Odessa
Eastern Europe is becoming a more and more popular tourist destination, and although the Balkans are now attracting a steady stream of tourists, there are parts of Europe that haven’t had yet a share in the limelight. Ukraine, the ‘borderland’ as its name says, is slowly shifting into something completely different, with improving economy and a more carefree attitude.
Ukraine is a cultural and historical patchwork , whose Slavic heritage is peppered with Scythian gold stuffed into museums, cave monasteries, Byzantine murals and Tatar stories. There are countless reasons for visiting this country, and here’s a taste of what awaits you in mysterious Ukraine: top 5 travel destinations. …
- 02 Augtylerd in Travel Planning | 2 COMMENTS
The best European rivers for cruises
Belgrade
Never let it be said that the only worthwhile cruises in Europe are in the Baltic Sea or in the Mediterranean! ‘Salt water cruises’ are awesome and definitely the best way of seeing the jagged coastline of Nothern Europe or the glitzy beaches and islands of the Mediterranean, but how about actually visiting the mainland on a boat?
Europe is criss-crossed by countless rivers, some larger, some smaller and many which are seemingly tailor-made for a cruise. The majestic Danube, the scenic Elbe, the Rhone, the Rhine and many lesser known rivers are perfect settings for a week-long holiday, so here are the best European rivers for cruises. …
- 15 Junkachou_n in Travel Planning | NO COMMENTS
The most amazing monuments in the world
Ushiku Daibutsu, photo by Norio Nakayama
The world is full of amazing structures made by humans, but possibly the most astounding are those created with the purpose of commemorating or honoring a person or an event. Since ancient times, monuments have been erected every time that people felt the need to celebrate or to mourn something, so it’s no surprise that usually the most impressive buildings on the planet are monuments.
When visiting a new place, it’s always a good idea to take a look at the monuments you can find there, because it can give you a feel of what the place is like, and of its past, so here are some of the most amazing monuments in the world, in case you happen to be traveling anywhere near them. …
- 14 Jun
Top beautiful but underrated cities in Europe
Lyon
When someone comes to Europe for the first time, they tend to visit the most popular destinations on the continent, especially when it comes to cosmopolitan cities like London, Paris, Vienna or Rome. However, there are many more places that deserve a tourist’s attention in Europe, and some of them don’t quite get as much hype as they deserve.
Some of top beautiful but underrated cities in Europe are also some of the most interesting and lively, and often they are also much more affordable than the destinations that tend to dominate tourist brochures. So if you want to see the hidden, unjustly under-appreciated side of Europe, here are some interesting destinations for you. …
- 18 Apr
Easter dishes from around the world
Pashka, photo by Mitrius
About a third of the world’s population will celebrate Easter next Sunday, and while many of the basic Easter rituals are similar wherever you are on the planet, important details such as the traditional Easter meal are not. Easter breakfasts and sometimes dinners are special, just like other holiday meals, and they are the perfect occasion for many families to dig out old and trusted recipes passed down from generation to generation.
So for all the gourmets who are planning on traveling this Easter, here are some interesting Easter dishes from around the world that you can try on your trip, or maybe cook on your own! …
- 31 Marandra88 in Travel Planning | NO COMMENTS
Backpacking in Crimea
Mentions of Crimea appear far more often in discussions about the Crimean War, but the name hardly appears when it comes to tourism. Crimea is known to be the place where live war reporting became a widespread practice, but it its still not exactly what you’d call a popular tourist destination.The Crimean Peninsula, however, has all the makings of an interesting travel destination: unique geography (Crimea looks like an island linked to the mainland through a narrow natural bridge), diverse beaches and mountain scenery. For a backpacker, Crimea is one of Europe’s best kept secrets, so here’s a short guide to backpacking in Crimea. …
- 08 Markachou_n in Travel Planning | 1 COMMENT
The creepiest ghost towns outside the US
Kolmanskop, Namibia
The remains of forgotten Wild West towns can be found in many states in the US, and they important historical sites, as well as destinations that combine fun and creepiness. If you’re a fan of western movies, a trip to places like Bodie will be a delight for your inner movie buff, and make you want to don a cowboy hat and head to the nearest saloon.
But ghost towns can be found outside the US as well, and while they won’t remind you of John Wayne films, they are suitably creepy and mysterious. Here are some of the creepiest ghost towns outside the US. …
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