Italy

Exploring the Enchanting Beauty of Lake Como: A Week of History, Romance, and Wine

Welcome to Lake Como, a mesmerizing destination in northern Italy that embodies the perfect blend of natural beauty, rich history, and romantic allure. Nestled at the foothills of the Alps, this iconic lake has been captivating travelers for centuries. During our week-long stay, we had the opportunity to explore the charming towns, indulge in the region’s renowned wines, and immerse ourselves in the fascinating stories that have shaped Lake Como’s legacy. Join us as we embark on a journey of discovery and cultural exploration.

  1. The Splendor of Lake Como: Lake Como, with its crystal-clear waters surrounded by majestic mountains and lush greenery, offers a breathtaking landscape that seems straight out of a fairytale. The serene ambiance and picturesque vistas make it an ideal destination for those seeking tranquility and natural beauty.

  2. The Enchanting Towns: During our stay, we explored several towns dotted along the shores of Lake Como. Each town has its unique character and charm, making it a delightful experience to wander through their narrow cobblestone streets. Bellagio, often referred to as the “Pearl of the Lake,” offers stunning panoramic views and elegant villas. Varenna enchants with its colorful houses and picturesque waterfront promenade, while Como, the largest town on the lake, boasts a rich history and a vibrant atmosphere.

  3. A Tapestry of History: Lake Como has a rich historical heritage dating back to ancient times. The region was once inhabited by the Celts, and later the Romans left their mark with the construction of luxurious villas. One of the highlights of our trip was visiting Villa del Balbianello, an exquisite 18th-century villa known for its stunning gardens and its appearances in movies such as “Casino Royale” and “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.”

  4. The Romance of Lake Como: Lake Como has long been associated with romance and has attracted famous figures throughout history. The scenic beauty and tranquil atmosphere have inspired writers, artists, and musicians, including renowned composer Franz Liszt. We enjoyed leisurely boat rides across the lake, savoring the idyllic surroundings and soaking in the romantic atmosphere that permeates the region.

  5. Wine Tasting in the Vineyards: No exploration of Lake Como is complete without indulging in its exceptional wines. The region is renowned for its vineyards and wineries, where you can taste the unique flavors of the local varietals. We visited a few vineyards, learning about the winemaking process and savoring the distinct aromas and flavors of wines such as Nebbiolo, Merlot, and Chardonnay. The combination of the region’s favorable climate, fertile soil, and centuries-old winemaking traditions results in wines of exceptional quality and character.

Our journey through Lake Como was an unforgettable experience that embraced the region’s captivating blend of history, romance, and natural beauty. Exploring the charming towns, delving into the rich historical tapestry, and savoring the exceptional wines added layers of depth to our cultural exploration. Whether you are seeking a romantic getaway or an immersive cultural adventure, Lake Como promises an enchanting journey that will leave a lasting impression.

New Zealand

Raglan – Indicators surf break

 

Raglan really converted me into a whole other surfer. I must say it had a big impact on me. I stayed on this lodge close to a break called Indicators. It’s really down the mountain from where I stayed, a nice lodge called Karioi Lodge. It’s really inexpensive compared to most places and it has an cozy feeling to it. I was here in the winter and it was just the perfect cozy place you want to stay after a long day of surfing. This break called Indicators is a long left about 600 meters which feels like an endless wave if caught from the peak. On a big day it can link up with a wave from another break called Whale Bay. It is a long-walled, fast wave with occasional barrels.

Travel articles

First person video of paraglider taken down by vulture in Himalayas

Well here is a lesson, the skies do not belong to us. This is the first time anything like this has ever been caught on video. Not only it is a crazy video, but the experienced Russian paraglider in the video is also pretty humorous. I have always dreamed of going to the Himalayas and I will one day, but it would be a total rush to experience something like this. Only the video can describe such the rush. Check it out! Vulture Vs Paraglider – Click here

Travel articles

Scared of solo travel? This is a must read.

“So why do we do it? Why do thousands of people year after year travel on their own – whether it be a weekend or a gap year – when it can seem so daunting? Why do we not go with friends or tour groups but instead brave it all alone?

Quite simply, because it’s a complete rush. The feeling you get when you realize you just navigated your way through a foreign metropolis or survived a hellish train journey makes you feel invincible. And it’s also completely addictive, for as soon as you feel content in one place you often move swiftly onto the next, yanking yourself from the comfort zone that you’ve just managed to build around yourself to do it all over again.” READ MORE

Egypt

Mt. Sinai, an incredible experience relived.

This is definitely not a place to party or a place to come and do business. Instead, it is place where many come for spiritual reasons. Mt. Sinai, the mountains Moses once climbed to receive the ten commandments from God as written in the Bible. We were in Dahab diving the Red Sea all day, which by the way is amazing, and at night we caught a bus at around 10pm to take us to Sinai. From there we took a 4 hour bus ride before we arrived at Sinai. It was around 2 in the morning and all the stars were out, when I say they were out, I mean you could see every star in the universe! Natures light lit up our path to the top as we trekked and climbed for hours as camels walked right by us. It was an incredible feeling to be there. It was not an easy trek at all but it sure as hell was worth it. When we finally got to the point to see the sun come up with the clouds below us, my eyes could not blink as I stared at natures beauty. The mountains, the sky, the sun and the effort that was made to see it all before our eyes was nothing below amazing. The trek down was tougher than we thought as our knees trembled from all the grinding we put into them but at the end of the trip all we could say was “that was about the most amazing thing I have ever seen”.

Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – Abu Dhabi

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To immerse yourself in another culture is to put all your stereotypes away and learn with an open mind other people’s views and beliefs. A highly visited destination, Abu Dhabi has the one of the world’s largest mosque, named Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which is now not only a place of worship for the Islam religion but a big tourist attraction given the beauty of the place. So much thought and money was put into this mosque it even holds the worlds largest chandelier under its main dome in the main prayer hall. Take a free tour of the place scheduled daily and learn all about how it was built and how its used. When I was in the courtyard and the call to prayer came on the loud speakers, the earth stood still for me as I looked all around me in admiration of their dedication they put into it, a very special moment that made me realize I was totally on the other side of the world. With Dubai two hours away by car and so many attractions to see in this city do not forget to visit Ferrari World and get on the world’s fastest roller coaster.

South Africa

The three sisters at Blyde River Canyon

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On our way back from our Kruger Park Safari we passed by this beautiful canyon. I wasn’t even informed of this stop but it was definitely the icing on the cake. The third largest in the world and a wonder of South Africa it is a view that will just drop your jaw for a few minutes. You stare in surprise that something so amazing exist and that you are there to look at it. It’s a view you will likely never forget. At about 800 meters the canyons rise from Blyde River and never mind the signs, it’s always important to get a better view and think about the important things in life… this beautiful planet we live on.

Travel articles

Now you can fly to outerspace for $200,000. Who’s going first?

Is it possible? Is this really true? I’m asking myself the same questions. But of course, you have to be rich to do it, or get into a huge debt how American’s like to do it. Only kidding. So when you put science and money together, you get a group of people to build a feather lite air craft that takes you into outer space past our atmosphere and a spaceport in New Mexico. Interesting? Check out their site. http://www.virgingalactic.com/

Indonesia

Ubud Monkey Forest in Bali, Indonesia

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Ever been to a monkey forest where you have to watch your belongings because they might get stolen..from monkeys? Yes, these little sneaky animals have one interest and only one interest in mind, that you have a banana in your pocket or purse. They will grab your purse or bag and run with it up a tree. With over a few hundred monkeys running around and even jumping on you, it makes it a interesting place to visit. You can buy banana’s in the entrance to feed them but don’t let them see you have some because they will tell all their friends and follow you around the entire time. There is also a nice Hindu temple to visit while you are there. Be prepared to wear a Sarong if you want to enter out of respect.

Indonesia

Gili Trawangan

Gili Trawangan, a little island off the coast of Lombok. Lombok is in Indonesia, east of Bali. Known for its beautiful white sand beaches and parties, its a backpackers heaven. Cheap prices, great drinks, and even nice resorts a long the beach for those in a little honeymoon escape. Getting to the island on a little wooden boat from Lombok was quite the experience with the waves a few meters high and the boat feeling like it was about to flip. May I say a divers paradise as well. With great reef dives there are many companies that offer great diving packages for everyone from beginners to experience level divers. A place I wouldn’t only post about but also recommend.