Category Archives: Travel

Travel

Ayia Napa (Cyprus) – to go or not to go?

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Ayia Napa is full of drunk teenagers and Russian tourist – not always polite (just stating the fact, almost everyone was rude). I don’t want to give you the wrong impression – I once was a teenager and drank a lot, I’m just not a big fan of watching them when I’m on vacation and tolerating rude people around me.

Ayia Napa is a typical tourist spot in Cyprus. But! if you try not to go when everyone else is going you will discover the other Ayia Napa and you will love it! And you will forget the things you don’t like.

Here are some rules to like this place. πŸ˜‰ Okay let’s start.

Rule no 1

Go on your own and book some hotel in the city (by the beach will be crowdy and loud ;p)

Rule no 2

You will see lots of fast food restaurants – KFC, etc. Many people go there and this is good for you – you know why? Because you will be one of just a few guests in the best Greek restaurant –Β Tony’s Taverna –Β a place with lemon trees inside, a place where the owner thanks you for visit and as a thank you gift gives you flowers – and these flowers are fresh basil leaves. Do I have to say more? I love such places!!!

Rule no 3

Go on a tour!

Cape Greco

There is a public bus going there, from the bus stop you need to walk a little but the view is just stunning. Just look.

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Paralimni

The nearest city with huge supermarket where you can do some shopping. We bought lots of food there, which we had for breakfast and took some home. If you like cheese you need to try my favourite cheese –Β halloumi.Β I could eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. πŸ˜€

Ayia Napa architecture

Not much to see but worth it. Just walk around the city.

 

Cyprus is perfect for relaxing at the beach. Nissi beach is crowded but sooo beautiful, go to Makronissos Beach and other near Nissi. Sun is really strong there – sunscreen 50 SPF unless you want to get burn on a very first day!

Rule no 4

Drink ice coffee – locals do not drink beer in that heat, it’s ice coffee. And it’s delicious. πŸ˜€

 

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Only one sandy beach and you still want to go there – Madeira!

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Madeira is a small Portuguese island in the Atlantic Ocean, also called Island of Eternal Spring or Pearl of the Atlantic.

Madeira is situated north of Canary Islands, it’s of volcanic origin with great climate which enables you to go there the whole year round.

Getting around – in almost every travel guide or a blog you will read that you will definitely need to rentΒ a car. Well I have to disagree, not only because I don’t like people telling me what to do ;p but also because the public transport is cheap and you can get anywhere you want. Not to mention those hairpin bends all over the island which made me dizzy just in a bus – I don’t think I would feel good driving a car on these roads. ;p

Cabo GirΓ£o

Cabo GirΓ£o is famous for 580 meter cliff with a glass floor. Standing there is one thing but the other is riding a bus there – I couldn’t sit by the window!

 

Porto Moniz

Absolutely amazing natural lava pools! oSoo cool and if I remember correctly it cost only 1.5€ – yes exactly!

More details at the official website ofΒ Porto Moniz.

Ponta de São Lourenço

I know I often use the word amazing in this post by seriously – Madeira is amazing! Ponta de Sao Lourenco is a walking trail. There are some steep inclinations and no shade so a cup and proper walking shoes required. This is a challenging walk but totally worth it! The views of blue ocean, brown soil and black cliffs make something truly beautiful. You can get to the beginning of a walking trail by bus.

Eat and drink local πŸ˜€

I had my favourite place in Funchal with nice service and delicious food and drinks – Madeira Tapas & Wine. I recommend you the octopus sandwich and of courseΒ ponchaΒ de Madeira –Β Β traditional alcoholic drink made withΒ aguardenteΒ de cana (distilled alcohol made from sugar cane juice), honey, sugar, lemon rind and with different fruit juices according to the version of poncha. With less % I drank local beer – Coral. πŸ™‚ When it came to breakfast we did it like locals – cafezinho (small coffee) with pastel.

Β Levadas

AΒ levadaΒ is anΒ irrigationΒ channel orΒ aqueductΒ and Β in Madeira. There are more than 2,000 km of levadas and they provide a network of walking paths. I walked one – 11 km – check the views.

 

At the end I will add some more picture which may convince you to visit this gorgeous island.

Travel

My favourite spots in Gdynia

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I’ve been to Gdynia many times for Opener Festival, but last year for the first time I was there for a long weekend and could do some sightseeing and get to know the city a little more.

I really liked what I saw. πŸ™‚ Maybe if you have some time during this weekend or any other time you could check mine top spots/activities in Gdynia. πŸ™‚

1.Walking around and admiring the street art

There are so many murals around the city. My guest house for example was just cross this one, which I think is super cool.

Ludwik turysta #streetart #mural #gdynia

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Most of them are around the city center so just by walking you will definitely see them.

2. Awesome food

I had the best breakfast at Chwila Moment. It was “pain perdu” – a brioche coated with egg and fried, served with fruits, maple syrup and sour cream. It cost only 16 PLN!!!

OMG #sniadaniowelove #gdynia #mistrz #brioche

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Another nice breakfast was at GΕ‚Γ³wna Osobowa. Reasonable prices, tasty food, nice place.

Cytrusowe aioli πŸ‘πŸ» #sniadaniowelove

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3. The Torpedo House at Babie DoΕ‚y

Nice clean beach and beautiful view? Visit Babie DoΕ‚y. The Torpedo House is situated 300m from shore and looks like a ruined castle. Link to the place.

Torpedownia w Gdyni

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4. Kamienna GΓ³ra

If you want nice view over the city and the sea go there, but not the view point near the cross, but at the parking just ahead of restaurant “Panorama”.

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5. Cliff at the OrΕ‚owo district

Can be pretty crowdy but if you like walking by the sea – why not πŸ˜‰

Ludwik i klif #gdynia #orlowo

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#klif #orlowo #gdynia

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Weekend in Madrid – including the best club I’ve ever been to abroad!

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Madrid is a perfect place to spend a city break. I went there on Friday afternoon and got back on Sunday evening. We got some cheap tickets and rented a small flat in the city center – we got everywhere we wanted to on foot.

Here are some nice spots and activities I would strongly recommend πŸ™‚

1. For art lovers – Del Prado and Reina Sofia Museums

I liked the Reina Sofia Museum – lots of paintings by Salvador Dali and Picasso – including famous “The great masturbator” by Dali. There is also really cool gift shop – I got a mug and bookmark with the painting – you can also check what they have onlineΒ  – Reina Sofia gift shop.

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The great masturbator by Salvador Dali.

 

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The installation in front of the Reine Sofia Museum.

When it comes to Del Prado – it is huge. Prepare to choose artists or art works you want to see. Unless you have the whole day. I didn’t. Good news is that there is a free admission from Monday to Saturday 6 pm – 8 pm and Sundays and holidays 5 pm – 7 pm. There is a line but don’t worry it goes super fast.

2. Chill out in Retiro Park

The park is a complex of gardens, fountains and buildings located at the edge of the city center. There is an artificial pond where people can rents kayaks and canoes.

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Inside the park there is a beautiful palace called The Crystal Palace.

 

3. Walk around

As we stayed in the city center weΒ  just wandered around. Without the travel guide. We saw so many murals and other street art. Spanish people are very creative when it comes to decorating buildings.

 

4. Eat classic Spanish breakfast

Order coffee with milk – cafΓ© con leche and bread with crushed tomatoes and olive oli – tostada con tomate y aceite.

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5. Try tapas and cocktails at El Viajero

Bartenders are very generous when pouring drinks, food was delicious, the interior modern and interesting.

11057974_10153455004747502_5528246098334260491_n11427781_10153455004787502_3389781876142748850_n6. Go clubbing at Marula Cafe

#ramboiage last night #discotizer #MarulaCafΓ© #Madrid #clubbing #allnightlong – vΓ­a @ramboiage

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Great music, no tourists – we finished at 5 in the morning. One of the best parties I’ve been to abroad. Loved it!!

 

Travel

My second home! When in Poland visit LublinΒ 

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Around 5 years ago I visited Lublin for the first time and I just loved it.

Well the city is its people, so yes I did love it so much because I met amazing people and you know what? We still are friends and Lublin apart from my home town is city in Poland I visit the most 😁.

Wanna know my favourite spots in Lublin? Here they are πŸ™‚ – in random order 

  1. Charcia Łapa – restaurantIt’s a modern restaurant with short and simple menu. You will find there something Italian like pizza and pasta but also burgers and fish. I went for gnocchi with mushrooms which were tasty and delicate. Liked it a lot! ❀ Service was excellent! Our waiter knew the menu and could advise on what to have. 
  2. Aqua Lublin – SPA, swimming pool, water parkMaybe the spa wasn’t the quietest I’ve been to but I like the hot pool outside the building – on the picture above. 75 minutes cost 20 PLN.
  3. Old Town 

Nice views, lots of restaurants and pubs. What else do I need to say πŸ˜‰

4. CSK

Jestem tu #urlopwlublinie

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Amazing glass rooftop, big events like TEDx, gallery, concerts – check their website for the latest program. 

5. Dom Kultury – club

Somehow everytime I’m in Lublin I go there.


 Depending on a day they have gigs with live music or dj sets. Their big asset is to have Tancereczka near them. Try pear vodka there. πŸ‘ŒπŸ»

So What do you think? Wanna go to Lublin? πŸ™‚ 

Travel

Rio de Janeiro – why I fell in love with this city.

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I was in Rio 5 years ago – in 2012 with my sister. It was our first holiday together and for her also a dream coming true. I krew she wanted to go to Rio de Janeiro so as soon as I saw really cheap tickets I texted her. We decided to go in one or two days. πŸ™‚

You probably wonder why I liked it so much. First of all….

  • I loved the architecture – a great mix of modern and colonial style 

  • The fact that wherever you go you can see the Jesus statue

  • You have lake, ocean, mountains and beaches in just one place

My top attractions:

  1.  Escadaria SelarΓ³n

Famous steps connecting both the Lapa and Santa Teresa neighborhoods. We stayed in a hotel about 20 meters from them. 
You can see these steps in this music video πŸ˜‰

2. Jardim Botanico

Beautiful botanic garden- quiet and peacefull. 


3. Hawaianas shop 

I love Hawaianas – they are great quality – I still have those bought 5 years ago. The shop has lots of models with designs you probably won’t get abroad. 


4. Sugarloaf

Take the cable car to the top of the mountain. It’s not cheap but absolutely worth it. The view is just stunning. 


5. Christ the Redeemer


Expect crowds and an hour or more waiting. I liked the view over the whole city. 

Enjoy Rio!

Travel

3 places in Bali to escape the crowds!

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What stroke me the most in Bali were those crowds and lots of tourists. I did like Bali but I’m not a fan of too many people in one place. 😜

Luckilly we managed to find nice spots which were peacefull and quiet. Here they are:

  1. Taman Ayun Temple 

Taman Ayun Temple

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Gopro na propsie

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It is a beautiful temple complex in a heart of Mengwi village – it is said to be a village but for me when I drove a Scooter felt like huge city with no traffic lights. πŸ˜‰ It is situated in a nice garden with ponds. Almost no one there!! I think, counting me and my sister there were in total around 10 people. Admission fee if I remember correctly was around Rp. 3,000-4,000.

Taman Ayun Temple

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We got there after visiting Tanah lot as we wanted to see some quiet place. It took as around 30 minutes on a scooter. There are really nice views on the way. 

The route from Tanah Lot to Taman Ayun Temple.

2. Toya Devasya Hot Spring

After trekking Mount Batur all we needed was a hot bath and our little dream came true – on our way back to Ubud our driver was so kind to take us there (though it wasn’t on our itinerary). 

GorΔ…ce ΕΊrΓ³dΕ‚a #batur #bali

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It was one of the most beautiful places in Bali I’ve seen. The view from the pool was breathtaking! https://instagram.com/p/BL-qLIJhyS1/

The entrance is Rp. 180,000.

3. The Blanco Renaissance Museum in Ubud

The only people in the museum were me and my sister. πŸ˜‰ To tell you the truth, I like such crowds 😜 

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At the entrance of Blanco Museum there is a marble sculpture, 15 meters high. 

Inside you can see Blanco’s amazing paintings, collages and illustrated poetry, together with lithographic artworks. At the rooftop nive view at Ubud area and also more sculptures.

Blanco museum

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Blanco museum

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Admission fee is Rp. 50,000.