TRAVEL BLOG
Check Out the Beach town of Borsh, Albania
Borsh is a small seaside village on the West coast of Southern Albania. Known for its olive oil production, it has become more prominent for tourism due to its pristine beach, the largest in the Ionian sea. The town will only become more prominent as tourist-related businesses start to invest in local infrastructure. The Lab dialect of Albanian is typically spoken by locals in the area.
A Journey to the UNESCO Historical Center of Gjirokastër, Albania
Gjirokaster is a UNESCO World Heritage site, located in the South of Albania. It's name in Medieval Greek translates to 'Silver Castle'. The city's record dates it back to 1336, when it was part of the Byzantine Empire. It is the birthplace of Enver Hoxha, the former communist leader. Above the city sits Gjirokaster Fortress and its old town has been recognized for its intact Ottoman influences.
A Journey to the UNESCO Historical Center of Berat, Albania
Berat is a UNESCO World Heritage site, located in the South of Albania. Due to its existence across many times and civilizations, the city comprises many unique styles of architecture and influences. Its origins date back to the 7th century BC. it is often called the 'Town of a Thousand Windows' with notable landmarks such as Berat Castle, Gorica Bridge, and St. Michael's Church.
What To See in Shkodër, Albania
Shkodër, regarded as the traditional capital of Northern Albania, is the 5th largest city of the country. It was created as the Capital of the Illyrian kingdom under the name Skodra. The history of Shkodër is storied, with origins in the Bronze Age coupled with Roman, Serbian, and Ottoman influences. Notable sights to see include Rozafa/Shkodër Castle and the Ebu Bekër Mosque.
The Epic Faroe Islands Road Trip Adventure
The Faroe Islands is a North Atlantic archipelago owned by Denmark. This small country with its 50,000 inhabitants has some of the best nature you can imagine. Islands like Vágar, Mykines, Streymoy, Eysturoy, Kalsoy, Bordoy, Vidoy, and Sandoy all have amazing nature to see and appreciate. Renting a car to travel through Faroe in the summertime is the way to go so use this guide as a resource!
The Waterfalls of the Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands are in no shortage of waterfalls, but some are more gorgeous than others. This is a guide on some of the most notable ones spread across the islands of Streymoy, Vágar, and Bordoy. Notably, the Fossá, Múlafossur, Skarðsáfossur, Bøsdalafossur, Svartafoss, Týggjará, and Svartidalurfoss Waterfalls are the most worth seeing.
A Journey to the Faroe Islands: The Island of Kalsoy
The island of Kalsoy (meaning 'Mans Island') is located within the Faroe Islands archipelago, which is owned by Denmark. The island is isolated and can be reached by a ferry from Klaksvík to Syðradalur. A hike to the Kallur Lighthouse in Trøllanes is a must with stops at the settlements of Mikladalur and Húsar. Kalsoy was also a filming location for the 25th James Bond Film, 'No Time to Die'.
A Journey to the Faroe Islands: The Island of Bordoy
The island of Bordoy (meaning 'Headland island') is located within the Faroe Islands archipelago, which is owned by Denmark. There are 8 settlements on the island with a combined population of 6,314. One settlement is Klaksvík, the second largest city in the Faroe Islands. Notable places to see on Bordoy include Svartidalurfoss, Klakkur, Christianskirkjan, and the Árnafjarðar Church.
A Journey to the Faroe Islands: The Island of Eysturoy
The island of Eysturoy (meaning 'East Island') is located within the Faroe Islands archipelago, which is owned by Denmark. It is the 2nd largest and most populated island in the country, containing the villages of Eiði and Gjógv to the north, the basalt sea stacks Risin og Kellingin, Slættaratindur - the highest mountain in Faroe, and the fjords Skálafjørður and Funningsfjørður.
A Journey to the Faroe Islands: The Island of Streymoy
The island of Streymoy (meaning 'Island of Currents') is located within the Faroe Islands archipelago, which is owned by Denmark. It is the largest/most populated island in the country, also containing the capital city of Tórshavn. Great places to visit include the villages of Tjørnuvík, and Kirkjubøur,, Fossá Waterfall, Tórshavn, Kirkjubøur, Týggjará Waterfall, and the black sand beach at Saksun.
A Journey to the Faroe Islands: The Island of Vágar
The island of Vágar is located within the Faroe Islands archipelago, which is owned by Denmark. The three largest villages are Miðvágur, Sandavágur and Sørvágur but the highlight of Vágar are its natural features: Tindhólmur and Drangarnir, the Múlafossur, Bøsdalafossur, and Skarðsáfossur waterfalls, Lake Sørvágsvatn, and the Trøllkonufingur and Dunnesdrangar Sea Stacks.
The Epic Lofoten Islands Road Trip
The Lofoten Islands are located in Nordland County in Norway. They are composed of the islands Gimsøy, Austvågøy, Vestvågøya, Flakstadøya, Mostenesøya, and Værøy. These islands are some of the most beautiful in the world and a summertime road trip to Lofoten is a huge bucket list item. My favorite spots were Henningsvær, Reine, Ryten, Nusfjord, Vikten, Offersøykammen, and Eggum, to name a few!
The Lighthouses of Iceland
Since it is an island nation, Iceland sure must have plenty of lighthouses. There are about 104 of them, manning the roughly 5000 kilometer coastline. Some notable lighthouses include the Garður Old Lighthouse, and the ones in Malarrif, Svörtuloft, Hvalnes, Öndverðarnes, Súgandisey Island, Dyrhólaey, Old Akranes, Bjargtangar, Dalatangi, Þrídrangaviti, and Grótta Island.
Why Piran is a hidden gem in Slovenia
This small town sits on a peninsula on Slovenia's Adriatic coast. The orange-shingled rooftops evoke impressions from Dubrovnik and other Balkan sea towns. Piran is one big old town with medieval city walls, a city square, a church and bell tower (Zvonik Campanile Bell Tower), and plenty of restaurants and cafes lining the streets. It is a must see stop anything you're in this part of the world.
The best places to see in Triglav National Park in Slovenia
Triglav is the highest mountain in Slovenia and the tallest peak in the Julian Alps. As such, it is the centerpiece (and namesake) of Slovenia's only national park. This park is vast and full of natural wonders, my favorites being Tolmin Gorges, Lake Bohinj, Slap (waterfall) Pericnik, Vintgar and Great Soča Gorges, Fort Kluže, the Russian Chapel, and Slap Virje, among many others!
The Churches of Iceland
The 350 Churches for 330,000 people living in Iceland is probably too much. Regardless of your faith, there are many of these gorgeous churches all around the country that are worth seeing. Here is a guide to some of them like Hvalsneskirkja, Strandarkirkja, Vikurkirkja, Kirkjubaer, Husavikurkirkja, Heimaey Stave Church, Hallgrímskirkja, Seyðisfjarðarkirkja, Hofskirkja, Búðakirkja, and Glaumbaer.
The Most Epic Waterfalls of Iceland
They say there are more than 10,000 waterfalls in Iceland. Though you won't have time to see all of them, here is a list of a few worth seeing: Hundafoss, Svartifoss, Svöðufoss, Hjalparfoss, Seljalandsfoss, Hengifoss, Öxarárfoss, Bruarfoss, Kirkjufellsfoss, Faxifoss, Haifoss, Goðafoss, Selfoss, Hraunfossar, Dettifoss, Klifbrekkufossar, Litlanessfoss, Skógafoss, Kolufoss, and Urriðafoss.
Why the best beaches have black sand: a journey through Iceland’s southern coast in the Winter
This road trip through the south coast of Iceland will take your breath away. Hire a car and set out from Reykjavik and stop at waterfalls like Seljalandfoss and Skógafoss, see glaciers at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon (near Vatnajökull National Park), discover ice caves at Hofn and Skaftafell, and marvel at the rock formations at Reynisdranger at Reynisfjara Beach, just outside of Vík í Mýrdal.