What to Do in Druskininkai Lithuania – A Charming Town You Need to Visit

What to Do in Druskininkai

Have you heard of Druskininkai?

If you haven’t, it’s a cute little town in the Alytus County of Southern Lithuania, near both the Belarus and Poland borders.

It’s obviously not on everyone’s tourist radar, which is exactly why you should put it on yours and consider spending some of your holidays in Druskininkai!

Before we move onto what to do in Druskininkai, let’s address some things you might be thinking –

⭐ Where is Druskininkai?
⭐ What can I see and do in Druskininkai?
⭐ Is Druskininkai worth visiting?
⭐ How long does it take to get to Druskininkai?

Disclaimer: Some links and banners on this page will take you to our affiliate partners. If you make a purchase or booking with them, K-in-Motion may receive compensation. See our Affiliate Disclosure page.

Where is Druskininkai?

Druskininkai Lithuania Map As mentioned earlier, the small town of Druskininkai is in Southern Lithuania.

We’ve created this handy little map for you.

It’s about 130 kilometres from the capital, Vilnius.

What can I do in Druskininkai?

You might be surprised to know that despite only being a small town of less than 13,000 people, there’s quite a lot to see and do in Druskininkai.

Some of those things include –

→→ Lithuania’s longest river
→→ walk around in nature
→→ parks and art
→→ churches and cemeteries
→→ spas

What to See in Druskininkai – Lithuania’s Longest River

What to See in Druskininkai Lithuania - Nemanus River Druskininkai is small, so it’s guaranteed to be void of crowds. As if that doesn’t sound amazing enough, it is also situated on Lithuania’s longest river; the Nemunas, or Neman, River.

The River has over 200 tributaries, including the Neris River in the country’s capital, Vilnius

It stands to reason that the list of what to see in Druskininkai would be incomplete with without this river.

What to do in Druskininkai – Walk Around in Nature

What to Do in Druskininkai - Walk Around in Nature This little Lithuanian town is surrounded by forest. If you walk any distance in the town, it’s almost impossible not to stumble upon some nature.

If you get there by bus, the Druskininkų Autobusų Stotis, or bus station, seems to have been built on the outskirts of a forest.

Not only that, there’s also a beautiful park right next to it. So let’s talk about some of the numerous parks around town; both big and small.

Parks Around Town

You could call Druskininkai the town of parks. I mean, you can’t walk more than a few hundred metres in the town without having a park in your line of sight.

Some of the bigger parks include the Druskininkai Aquapark, which was obviously closed for the winter, and the K Dineikos Sveikatingumo Parkas or K Dineika Wellness Park.

Big Parks With Streams Running Through Them

Parks With Streams in Druskininkai Lithuania The K Dineika Wellness Park is a beautiful woodland park with concrete paths winding through it.

Those paths can lead to climbing ropes for kids, outdoor gym equipment for the adults and even rest areas near giant chess boards.

There is also a stream meandering through the park that leads to the Nemunas River.

Smaller Parks with Monuments and Artwork

Quaver in Druskininkai Lithuania There are no less than three small parks to be found on a two kilometre strip of the town’s main road, MK Čiurlionio gatvė.

There is a music themed park, near the Pavasaris bus stop, in front a residential compound, that doesn’t seem to have a name, but is excellent all the same.

Artwork in Unnamed Druskininkai Park Aside from music-themed sculptures, the park also has some weather-resistant reproductions of local artwork on display!

Now that’s pretty cool, right?

Another nameless park with fountains, monuments and artwork can be found near the Turgus Bus stop on MK Čiurlionio gatvė.

Mid-Sized Parks with Lakes, Monuments and Sculptures

Lake Druskonis in Druskininkai Lithuania Right next to the bus station you can see ežeras Druskonis or Lake Druskonis.

It freezes in winter, which is, of course, a lovely site, but I get the feeling that it would be a hive of activity in summer.

I have no doubt there would be boats and fountains. It’s also next to Vijūnėlės Parkas, where you can lay on the beach in summer.

Soviet Soldier Cemetery in Druskininkai A walk around the frozen lake is lovely and will bring you to a memorial called Sovietų karių kapinės or Soviet Soldiers Cemetery.

I’m sure it looks much more impressive when it’s not covered in snow.

If you keep walking, you’ll see some totem sculptures and light sculptures before seeing the Druskininkų miesto muziejus or Druskininkai City Museum.




Booking.com

Churches and Cemeteries

What to See in Druskininkai - Old City Cemetery Lake Druskonis is flanked on one side by the huge Senosios Miesto Kapinės or Old City Cemetery.

Not only is the cemetery big and beautiful, it would also be of particular interest to visitors from Poland, who may have anscestors buried there.

Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary Scapular On the other side of the lake, across the road, you can see the Druskininkų Švč Mergelės Marijos Škaplierinės Bažnyčia or the Church of Saint Mary’s Scapular.

It’s also commonly referred to as the Church of Our Lady of the Scapular.

Spas for Relaxing Holidays in Druskininkai

Spa in Druskininkai If walking around admiring nature, monuments and artwork sounds tiring, you can always pop into one of Druskininkai’s many spas.

Believe it or not, it is a spa town.

The town is known for its natural mineral springs which are said to have healing powers. That is why it became a spa resort town in the 19th century and has been a popular summer destination for people living in Vilnius ever since.

Is it Easy to Get Around Town Without a Car?

In a word, yes! As the town is quite small and all of the sights mentioned above are within a few kilometres of each other, it’s very walkable.

Additionally, there’s a pretty comprehensive transport system, but the buses don’t seem to run that often. This site could be useful if you’re in the town without a car.

Is Druskininkai Worth Visiting?

Most definitely! If you’re already in Lithuania, it would be a great day trip from places like Vilnius and Kaunas. If you’re crossing over from Belarus, you have to pass through it to get to Vilnius, or across to Poland.

Druskininkai is charming and cute. That gives it a very homely and welcoming feel.

It’s easy to see a lot in a day because of how compact the town is. If you have a few hours between buses, it’s easy to explore.

That being said, there’s also enough things to see and do in the town to keep you occupied for a few days at least.

Another great thing about the town is that you can find English speakers everywhere.

One not so great thing to be aware of..

The only slightly annoying thing about the town was the early closure of most warm, sit down places, like cafes, in winter. They tend to close just after ‘nightfall’, which is at 4pm!

The bus station also closes at 6pm, so if your bus leaves later at night, there’s nowhere warm to sit and wait.

But that could just give you more of a reason to explore.

How Long Does it Take to Get to Druskininkai?

Firstly, the town doesn’t have an airport, so the only way to get there is by road.

The closest town to Druskininkai is actually the Belarusian town of Grodno. From the Grodno/Hrodna Bus Station, it’s about a one hour ride.

You can buy tickets for a marshrutka (minivan) to Druskininkai at the ticket window in Grodno, even if you can’t see its name on the destinations board at the station.

It will cost 35 BYN (€9) for a quick drive to the Pryvalki Border. If you’re unlucky, there may be a lot of waiting on the Lithuanian side of the border.

How long does it take to get to Druskininkai from Vilnius

The journey from Vilnius to Druskininkai Lithuania takes just under two hours, so it could make a great day trip.

The most convenient way to do that would be to rent a car.

728*90 RentalCars English

Druskininkai is also only an hour and a half from the Polish town of Augustow and three hours from Bialystok.

Flixbus runs several daily services between those cities and towns.

The tickets can only be booked online though. The ticket counter at the bus station has very limited operating hours and only sells tickets for certain destinations.

Now, just to quickly recap and answer your questions –

⭐ Where is Druskininkai?
In Southern Lithuania, near the borders with Belarus and Poland.
⭐ What can I see and do in Druskininkai?
First, let’s talk about what to do in Druskininkai. You can walk around in nature or visit churches and cemeteries or spend time in one of the town’s many spas. Now, when you think about what to see in Druskininkai, nature like Lithuania’s longest river, as well as the plethora of parks with artwork and sculptures should be at the top of your list!
⭐ Is Druskininkai worth visiting?
Of course! It may be a small town, but don’t be surprised if it captivates you enough to make you want to extend your stay. You may even want to go back to spend your next holidays in Druskininkai, relaxing in one of its spas.
⭐ How long does it take to get to Druskininkai?
Depending on where you’re coming from, it generally takes between one to three hours by road from nearby towns.

The Long Way to Ukraine

Due to some strange border policies, I was unable to pass through the Belarus Poland border as a non-EU national. Hence the unscheduled stop in Lithuania on the way to Ukraine.

I hopped on a bright green Flixbus coach to Bialystock, Poland, with the most hilarious driver and co-driver team ever. The trip was long, but I eventually made it to Lviv, Ukraine the next evening.

Stay tuned for that story.

Want to know more about Druskininkai? Check out the Top 10 Reason to Visit Druskininkai as recommended by locals.

🇱🇹Druskininkai Summary🇱🇹

In a few words – Charming and cozy
Language – Lithuanian with many English speakers
Currency – Euro
WiFi availability – 📶📶📶📶📶
All cafes and even supermarkets have pretty decent WiFi
Transport – 🚗🚗🚗
🚍 There’s a comprehensive bus network, but the frequency can be quite low
Roads – 🛣🛣🛣🛣🛣
All the main roads were nice with big footpaths on each side
Scenery – 🌲🌲🏖️🌲🌲
The town is surrounded by forest, so there are trees and fresh air everywhere
Prices – 💰💰💰
While definitely more expensive that than its neighbours, Belarus and Poland, Prices of things in Lithuania are still quite reasonable
Overall – 👍👍👍👍👍

Thinking about a trip to Druskininkai?

Find your perfect home away from home with our partners –
728*90



Booking.com

Places to Visit in Belarus: Beautiful Borisov and Things to do in Minsk Belarus

I was excited to finally be heading to the landlocked country of Belarus after my original plans to visit got put on hold when the world went all weird in 2020.

Of course, things have changed a hell of a lot since then, but I decided not to let that stop me from following through with my plans. They would just have to be executed a bit differently.

So, read on if you want to know about some pretty cool places to visit in Belarus and things to do in Minsk! I’ll also be providing you with answers to the following questions –

⭐ When is the best time to visit Belarus?
⭐ Is it safe to travel to Belarus?
⭐ Is Belarus safe to visit?
⭐ Is Belarus safe for tourists?
⭐ How do I travel to Minsk Belarus?

Of course, I’ll also tell you all about where to go in Belarus. Let’s go!

Disclaimer: Some links and banners on this page will take you to our affiliate partners. If you make a booking with them, K-in-Motion may receive compensation. See our Affiliate Disclosure page.

The Problem With Getting to Belarus: Flights to Minsk Belarus

As you all know, the current situation makes it a little more difficult to get to Belarus than usual. There aren’t many choices when it comes to flights to Minsk Belarus.

Aside from some Russian cities, you can only fly in from/out to

✈️ Tbilisi Georgia
✈️ Baku Azerbaijan
✈️ Istanbul Turkiye
✈️ Tashkent Uzbekistan
✈️ Beijing, China.

I went with the Tbilisi option because it was a short cheap flight from Dubai with Fly Dubai.

You might be entitled to up to 600€. Check if you’re eligible and file a claim in under 3 minutes at Claim Compass

.

Visa Free Entry For Some Nationals

Belarus has a weird visa-free scheme where they offer nationals from some countries visa-free entry, but only if they fly in and out of Minsk. The same folks would need a visa to enter and exit by land.

As far as I’m aware, they’re the only country that has this kind of system. Find out about your visa requirements on their official website.

Also have a look at How to Get a Visa for Belarus in Minsk if you’re thinking of flying in and exiting by land.

Arriving in Minsk Belarus

Given the lack of flights to Minsk Belarus, there was only one planeload of passengers in the immigration hall upon arrival and many counters were open.

Things seemed to be moving rather swiftly until I got to the counter.

After standing at the immigration window for at least 10 minutes and answering all the officer’s questions, another officer came over.

He took my passport, then asked me to wait in an area at the back of the immigration hall.

Waiting For Something?

He came back a few minutes later and asked me some questions I’d already answered and a few new ones. Then he asked me to wait and went off with my passport again.

After yet another few minutes, he was back and took me back to the counter I was being processed at earlier. He handed my passport back to the lady at the counter and she stamped me in.

I’m not sure why I was held back, but I do wonder if it had anything to do with the fact that I was probably the only non-Belarusian or Russian passport holder entering the country at the time.

By that time, the immigration hall was clear of everyone except for 5 Russian guys that had also been held back.

Finally in Belarus!

I’d arrived to chilly -6°C weather and some snow cover. I died a little inside because I’m not a cold-weather person. At all.

The lady at the information desk told me that the public bus into the city cost 5 BYN, but there wasn’t one for another 40 minutes.

As I walked outside to check where the bus stop was so I could find it quickly later, I noticed a marshrutka (minivan) with ‘Airport Express’ written on it in Cyrillic, so I went to investigate.

Getting into the City

The van had a timetable on the side of it and it was leaving within a few minutes. It cost 6 BYN to the city centre, or 5 BYN to a metro station in the suburbs.

I took the second option and got dropped off at the Urucca metro station, about 10km from the city centre.

If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of public transport, you could always hire a car..
728*90 RentalCars English

Taking the Metro in Belarus

The metro costs 0.9 BYN for any distance travelled. You get a little red token at the ticket counter that you put into the slot at the ticket gate.

On the other end, there are no ticket controls. You just walk out.

About 15 minutes and 7 stations later I was at the Kastryčnickaja station near the Palace of the Republic.

Places to Visit in Belarus: A Walk Around the City of Minsk

Minsk is the Capital and largest city of Belarus. So it’ll most definitely be one of the places to visit in Belarus.

If you love architecture, you’ll find lots of things to do in Minsk.

About two city blocks away from the Palace of the Republic, not far from the Namiha Metro station, is the Cathedral of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, (Собор Святых Апостолов Петра и Павла).

Also right on top of one of the exits to the Namiha station is the Holy Spirit Cathedral next to the Church of St Cyril of Turov.

Things to do in Minsk: Visit Attractions around the Namiha Metro Station

The Namiha Metro station, sometimes written as Namiga, seems to have a lot of things to see within sight and walking distance of its many exits.

One of the strangest things I saw is this memorial above a KFC store. There’s such a jarring contrast between the two.

Places to Visit in Belarus: the Small City of Borisov to the Northeast of Minsk

Borisov, one of the places to visit in BelarusFrom the capital city, I made my way to Borisov Belarus, sometimes written as Barysaw. It’s a small city about 70 kilometers northeast of Minsk.

I had made arrangements to stay with a local named Pasha and his wife Marina. They were lovely and hospitable, as I suspect all Belarusians are.

I’m in awe of the fact that Pasha has been to 54 countries on his Belarusian passport. He was also interested in my experiences in West Africa.

I was interested in seeing more of the small but lovely town of Borisov Belarus.

Mini Tour of Borisov Belarus

Pasha took me on a mini tour of Borisov, starting with a Lenin statue, then passing the Berezina River.

He told me this river is famous for being so impassable in the olden days that it caused Napoleon to withdraw from the area.

Any river that defeats Napoleon is worth seeing! Would you make this one of your places to visit in Belarus?

Snowy Ruins in Borisov Belarus

Just past the river, there were some ruins of a castle.

Unfortunately, parts of the ruins were under a metre or so of snow.

Pasha suggested I explore them anyway, but I’ve dealt with snow cover higher than my knees before.

It’s evil and a total deal-breaker for me. So I just took photos from the path, a safe distance away, instead.

Borisov Orthodox Church

Next, he took me to a Russian Orthodox church.

It reminded me a lot of the Alexander Nevsky cathedral I’d seen in Tallinn.

It actually seemed a lot smaller inside than you would imagine by looking at the outside.

There was also I guess what you’d call an emergency scarf rack behind the door of the church. Orthodox churches require worshipers to cover their hair while inside.

Closed Borisov Bazaar

Behind the church was a small bazaar where Pasha said I would be able to buy a cheap pair of gloves.

Warm weather hands do not like Belarus in December!

To both Pasha’s and my surprise, the bazaar was pretty much closed. Only two produce shops near the entry were open.

The rest was a ghost town.

Despite the closed Bazaar, Borisov Belarus is still worth a visit for its history and how quaint it is. If you ever travel to Minsk Belarus, consider dropping by!

When in Belarus, Beware of the Death Icicles

One thing that is a little bit different about Belarus is its death icicles.

If you decide to visit Belarus in the winter, watch out for them.

They form when a building isn’t properly insulated. When the heat escapes, it melts the snow on the roof, which then solidifies on the way down, causing sharp icicles to form and hang from the roof.

I call them death icicles because they can injure or even kill people.

In fact, some buildings with these icicles will cordon off the front of their building where the icicles hang so that people keep out of harm’s way.

Back to Minsk to Meet My New Hosts

On the day I was heading from Borisov to Minsk, my brain decided to take a little holiday, which caused a two-hour trip to take half the day.

We won’t go into that, but I was definitely glad to meet Taya and Arseniy at the end of that long day.

They were awesome hosts and cooked Russian, Belarusian, and Uzbek meals for me when I stayed with them.

Things to do in Minsk: Admire Street Art on the Way to the Train Station

After helping me find out where to buy tickets for the train to Brest in the southwest of Belarus, Taya decided to accompany me to the train station.

Because, as I said earlier, Belarusians are pretty good at the hospitality thing.

We first walked around what looked like a kind of hip area in Minsk.

Many murals were painted on walls along the side of the road between cafes and yoga studios.

Then we had one last meal together before heading to the station.

Things to do in Minsk: Try to Navigate the Confusing Train Station

I was so glad that Taya had come with me, as the train station was kind of confusing!

Even Taya was confused, but she could speak Russian to find out if we were in the right place.

We said our goodbyes and I headed off on my next adventure to Brest and Grodna in the West of Belarus.

And Now to Answer Your Questions

When is the best time to visit Belarus?
Summer if you hate the cold. Winter if you like slipping in the snow every time you walk outside.
Is it safe to travel to Belarus?
Yes. Belarus feels very safe.
Is Belarus safe to visit?
Yes. The biggest danger in the winter would be slipping in the snow that covers all the footpaths in the suburbs.
Is Belarus safe for tourists?
Yes. As a plus, Belarusians are really lovely and hospitable people!
How do I travel to Minsk Belarus?
You can fly in from Georgia, Russia, Turkiye, China, Uzbekistan, or Azerbaijan. It’s also possible to enter by land from Latvia or Lithuania, but you will need a visa for that. You will also need to visa to exit Belarus by land, even if you flew in visa free.

Thinking about a trip to the beautiful Belarusian cities of Minsk or Barisov?

Find your perfect home away from home with our partners –
728*90

Yerevan to Tbilisi Train – An Overnight Adventure from Armenia to Georgia

Yerevan to Tbilisi Train at the Station

There are many options for transport in Armenia and transportation in Georgia is accessible as well, but you may be wondering how to travel from Armenia to Georgia by land and is there a train service from Yerevan to Tbilisi?

It just so happens, there is! In fact, I’m fresh off the Yerevan to Tbilisi train and here to tell you how it went.

Keep reading to find out the answers to the following questions about travelling from Yerevan to Tbilisi:

⭐ Is there a train from Armenia to Georgia?
⭐ How do I get from Armenia to Tbilisi?
⭐ How much is a ticket on the Yerevan to Tbilisi train?
⭐ Where can I get a ticket for the Yerevan to Tbilisi train?
⭐ How long is the train ride from Tbilisi to Yerevan?
⭐ What is the Yerevan to Tbilisi train like?

Disclaimer: Some links and banners on this page will take you to our affiliate partners. If you make a purchase or booking with them, K-in-Motion may receive compensation. See our Affiliate Disclosure page.

How to travel from Armenia to Georgia

If you’re travelling to Armenia and wondering how you can get to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, there are several options you can consider.

Hire a Car and Drive Yourself to the Capital of Georgia

If you like driving, you might want to hire a car and drive yourself.
728*90 RentalCars English

Obviously, there are advantages and disadvantages with this option.

The freedom of going where you want, when you want is certainly one of the bigger advantages. It could also be a really cool adventure to share with a friend.

Take a Marshrutka and Let Someone Else Do The Driving

Otherwise, Marshrutkas (minibuses) run regularly from about 6 am between Yerevan and Tbilisi.

They cost 8000 AMD (US$20) and the journey takes about 5 hours. I imagine the roads are very windy considering that the distance between the two cities is only 280km.

That means they might not be the best option for someone prone to motion sickness.

Experience the Overnight Train From Yerevan to Tbilisi

If marshrutkas aren’t your thing, you could take the Yerevan to Tbilisi train.

The Yerevan to Tbilisi train runs every second night, leaving from the Yerevan Tigran Mets Avenue Railway Station at 21:30 and getting into Tbilisi Railway Station (North) at 07:30.

The train is slower, but it’s more comfortable. It also costs more than the minibus. Each ticket costs 11,295 AMD or US$28.60.

This is the route we chose, but we got in closer to 08:30 though. So take note that arrival time may be later than stipulated.

How to Get to the Tigran Mets Avenue Railway Station in the Capital of Georgia

To purchase a ticket for the Yerevan to Tbilisi train, you’ll have to get to the Tigran Mets Avenue Railway Station.

As its name suggests, the station is located on Tigran Mets Avenue, a couple of kilometres from the city centre.

You could walk there if you’re feeling energetic, or hail a Yandex Taxi.

How to Buy a Ticket for the Yerevan to Tbilisi Train

How to Travel From Armenia to Georgia on the Yerevan to Tbilisi Train - Tigran Mets Avenue Railway Station How to Travel From Armenia to Georgia on the Yerevan to Tbilisi Train - Sign Before the Ticketing Area When you walk into the station, it isn’t immediately obvious where the ticketing area is.

First, walk past the big empty entrance area with the huge chandelier, then to the left you’ll see two signs that you probably won’t be able to read.

The room behind those signs is where you can make queries (counter 1) and buy tickets (counter 2).

The Ticket for the Yerevan to Tbilisi Train

How to Travel From Armenia to Georgia on the Yerevan to Tbilisi Train - Train Ticket You can buy your ticket with Armenian Dram or by credit card.

They will ask for your passport then put the details from your passport on the ticket.

The ticket will also show you your carriage (wagon) and seat number.

What is the Yerevan to Tbilisi Train like?

How to Travel From Armenia to Georgia on the Yerevan to Tbilisi Train - Hot and Cold Water Dispenser How to Travel From Armenia to Georgia on the Yerevan to Tbilisi Train - Shower on the Train The Yerevan to Tbilisi train has great facilities, including hot/cold water dispensers, charging ports for your electronics, and even showers!

The heat was set a little high at 27°C though.

I mean, I figured they’d have heat, but it was closer to a sauna!

It’s probably a good thing that they had showers then!

If you’re travelling on this train in winter, it’s a good idea to wear several layers. There is no doubt that within thirty minutes of boarding the train, you will be down to your bottom layer.

Sleeping Arrangements on Overnight Transportation in Georgia

Sleeping Arrangements on Overnight Transport in Georgia Now, you’re probably wondering what the sleeping arrangements are like on the Yerevan to Tbilisi train.

The 11,295 AMD ticket is a second class sleeper ticket, which gives you a bed in an open cabin.

An open cabin is one that only has doors at the entrance to the car. That means that, although the beds are in lots of four, (two bunks on either side of a table), like they would be in normal cabins, there are no doors between each set of four beds.

Is It Okay to Travel in an Open Cabin?

It’s not really a problem as people are friendly and helpful. I never felt uncomfortable or unsafe at any point.

If you feel it’s an issue, you could always pay more for a first class sleeper ticket, but it honestly doesn’t seem like it would be worth the extra money you would have to pay.

Perhaps one of the best things about the train is that there are power sockets and USB charging ports near most beds.

What Happens on the Yerevan to Tbilisi Train at the Armenian Border?

In the middle of the night, the conductor came around and woke us up as Armenian immigration came on the train at about 03:45.

In what was probably the most convenient immigration experience ever, we just stayed on our beds and the officers came to us.

About an hour after going through Armenian immigration, we hit the Georgian immigration point.

What Happens on the Yerevan to Tbilisi Train at the Georgian Border?

How to Travel From Armenia to Georgia on the Yerevan to Tbilisi Train - Georgia Immigration Dogs It was around 04:45 and freezing, but we had to get off the train. We lined up in front of temporary, container-type buildings on the platform.

There were stray dogs everywhere and some of them decided to join the line and get some attention.

One strange occurrence was people smoking in the immigration line; it was definitely the first time I’d seen that.

Back on the train, masked customs officers asked about cigarettes and alcohol. You can only bring a certain amount into Georgia without incurring customs duty.

With that done, we went back to sleep.

End of the Yerevan to Tbilisi Train Trip: Arrival at the Tbilisi Station

How to Travel From Armenia to Georgia on the Yerevan to Tbilisi Train - Tbilisi Train Station A little before 08:10, the lights were turned on and we were all woken up for our arrival.

Our old soviet style train made its way slowly into the station just after 08:15. We were finally in the capital of Georgia!

The Tbilisi train station wasn’t very impressive.

It was old, but it was a lot bigger and a little bit more crowded than Yerevan one.

Quick Summary of the Yerevan to Tbilisi Journey

So there you have it; the lowdown on what can happen on the overnight train from Armenia to Georgia. As far as travel experiences go, this was definitely one of the more comfortable ones!

The train wasn’t too ‘jolty’, as some can be, so it was relatively easy to get some quality rest.

If you enjoy reading about uncomfortable, but awesome train rides, you may want to check out my epic journey on the famous Iron Train in Mauritania.

Answers to Questions About Transport in Armenia

Is there a train from Armenia to Georgia?
There certainly is. You can catch it at Yerevan, the capital of Armenia and arrive in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. It runs every second night.
How do I get from Armenia to Tbilisi?
You can hire a car and self-drive, take a marshrutka or take a train. It all depends on how much you’re willing to pay and how long you want your journey to be.
How much is a train ticket from Yerevan to Tbilisi?
As of early 2023, one ticket costs 11,295 AMD or approximately US$28.60.
How long is the train ride from Tbilisi to Yerevan?
The ticketed time is 10 hours, but it could take slightly longer depending on how long immigration formalities take.
What is the Yerevan to Tbilisi train like?
Surprisingly comfortable with unexpected things like power points, showers and cold/hot water dispensers.
How can I get from Yerevan to Tbilisi?
There are a few ways to get from Yerevan to Tbilisi. One slower, but more comfortable option is the overnight train for 11,295 AMD. Another quicker, but slightly less comfortable marshrutka for 8000 AMD. The fastest, but possibly more expensive option, is to hire a car to drive yourself.

Now that you know how to travel from Armenia to Georgia by land, you could probably use this guide on Free and Fun Things to Do in Yerevan and this one on What to do in Tbilisi in Winter.

Thinking about taking the Yerevan to Tbilisi train?

Find your perfect home away from home in Tbilisi with our partners –
728*90

 



Booking.com

Kathmandu Valley Trek

Let’s have a look at the sites, scenes and adventures that await avid explorers on a Kathmandu Valley Trek in Nepal.

Where is the Kathmandu Valley?

The Kathmandu Valley is a Himalayan valley that includes the Nepalese capital Kathmandu and the surrounding area. There are several interesting places near Kathmandu Valley.

An amazing way to see and experience them is on a Kathmandu Valley trek.

One of the best things about a Kathmandu Valley trek is that it can be done in three to four days, so it’s perfect if you only have a week in Nepal. You can add it on to a couple of days in the capital exploring all of the Kathmandu Valley UNESCO sites.

Nepali Trekking You Should Avoid

Most people know Nepal as the ultimate place to do a trek. Who doesn’t want to trek in the Himalayas? Nepali trekking can be challenging and rewarding, but as Nepal has different regions with different weather patterns, it’s always prudent to plan ahead.

Nepal is one of only two places in the world with access to Mount Everest. Please don’t climb Everest. It’s dangerous and the area around the peak is littered with human bodies and, well, litter. Instead, if you want a challenge, hike to Everest Base Camp. It’s still over 5000 metres above sea level.

When to Go Trekking in Nepal

The best time to hike to Everest Base Camp and the amazing Annarpurna region in Central Nepal is spring or autumn. Summer brings monsoons, making it a terrible time to attempt high altitude treks.

Summer, however, is a great time to trek the Upper Mustang region. The region is in the shadow of Annapurna and mostly sheltered from those pesky monsoons.

Kathmandu Valley Trek – An All Year Round Adventure

Kathmandu Valley Trek The only trek in Nepal that can be done all year round is the Kathmandu Valley Trek. This is because it’s not considered high altitude. It’s highest elevation is around 2200 metres, which is quite doable for most fit people.

We did our trek towards the end of winter. The mornings and nights were obviously cool, but not nearly as cold as you would expect from a mountainous region.

The days were relatively warm and sunny.

Getting to the Starting Point of Our Kathmandu Valley Trek

Kathmandu Valley Trek - Pre Trek Pic
Pre Trek Pic
I mentioned in my last post that my hiking buddy Dina in Hong Kong and his brother Bhim in Nepal had helped me organise this trip and trek through their company Exodus Himalaya Treks and Expeditions.

Although Bhim had joined us for our sightseeing around Kathmandu, he would not be joining us on the trek. He needed to be at his office, so he put us under the care of one of his guides called Amir.

Bhim and his driver escorted us to the to the northern outskirts of Kathmandu where we met Amir. We realised straight away that he had a wicked sense of humour. This was going to be a great trek!

Entering the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park

Kathmandu Valley Trek - Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park Entrance Kathmandu Valley Trek - Sundarijal Sign Our first day of trekking would take place in the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, northeast of Kathmandu.

But first we had to stop at the entrance station at Mulkharka to get our permits to enter the park.

The 1000NPR (US$8.30) fee was included in our trek fee, so our guide Amir handled the payment for us.

Fees for other parks in Nepal are here.

We had to show our passports at the station for registration. The registration procedure took quite a while. Then finally we could head on to Sundarijal and officially enter the park!

Kathmandu Valley Trek Day 1 – Sundarijal to Chisapani

Kathmandu Valley Trek - Gate at Sundarijal Kathmandu Valley Trek - Nice Flat Trail Near Sundarijal The first day of our Kathmandu Valley Trek was the shortest, but it was far from the easiest. The first four kilometres from Sundarijal was rather nice and flat.

But then we hit what I like to call heart attack hill. Stairs, stairs and more bloody stairs. Over 10 freaking kilometres of them.

My knees were not happy by the end of it and I was happy to see a tree with toothbrushes on it. That tree was in front of our lunch stop.

Kathmandu Valley Trek - Flat Trail Near Sundarijal Kathmandu Valley Trek - Kathmandu Valley Trek - Kathmandu Valley Trek - Kathmandu Valley Trek - Kathmandu Valley Trek - Flat Trail With Trees Near Sundarijal Kathmandu Valley Trek - House and Goats Kathmandu Valley Trek - Chisapani Toothbrush Tree

I asked Amir if he knew why there were toothbrushes on the tree and he said he wasn’t sure. Now I’m going to spend the rest of my life wondering!

Lunch Then Chisapani

Kathmandu Valley Trek - Directional Sign Kathmandu Valley Trek - Earthquake Damaged Buildings in Chisapani All of our food was included for the trek and Amir always took care of the ordering for us.

There was a bit of a wait for food, but we were glad for the rest.

When we got into Chisapani, the first thing we saw were buildings that had been damaged by the 2015 earthquake.

They seemed to be defying gravity. I walked to the left of them just in case gravity finally won.

Chisapani to Nagarkot – Day 2 of a Kathmandu Valley Trek

Kathmandu Valley Trek - Breakfast in Chisapani Kathmandu Valley Trek - Directional Sign After Chisapani When you’re doing a Kathmandu Valley trek, you want to make sure you have a breakfast full of energy.

So someone in the group, (not me) ordered a Snickers Crepe. Another option was a Nutella Crepe. I went with the slightly healthier Banana Crepe option. I stand by my choice.

It wasn’t long before we were on our way again for our longest trekking day.

Luckily, as we’d done the majority of the ascent on the first day, we were in for a day of relatively flat trails.

Kathmandu Valley Trek - View of Terraces on a a Mountain Kathmandu Valley Trek - Cows and Goats Hanging Out Kathmandu Valley Trek - Taking the Goats for a Walk Kathmandu Valley Trek - Amir on the Trail

And amazing views! With cows and goats thrown in for good measure.

Lunch in Chauki Bhanjyang – Places Near Kathmandu Valley

Kathmandu Valley Trek - Lunch Stop Kathmandu Valley Trek - Group Photo at Lunch We stopped for lunch in Chauki Bhanjyang. We actually had a couple of last minute additions to our trek on the first day. Amir’s son Ajit and his friend Solomon.

Both were enthralled with my crazy travel stories and asked about my blog. When I told them I didn’t have one, they insisted that I start one.

So you can blame them for my internet presence.

Afternoon Snack in a Blue Village on a Kathmandu Valley Trek

Kathmandu Valley Trek - On The trail Again After Lunch Kathmandu Valley Trek - ColourfulFlags

We had already walked a long way by the afternoon, so Amir did a quick survey to see if we wanted to stop for an afternoon snack.

Nagarkot, our stop for the night, was still a few hours a way.

We almost unanimously cried, “Yes!”.

Amir advised us that we just needed to walk up the hill from the valley we were in and we would be able to eat.

But first, he showed us how to use a local swing with colourful flags. Those colourful flags are everywhere in Nepal.

Kathmandu Valley Trek - Amir on the Village Swing Kathmandu Valley Trek - Mountain Views Kathmandu Valley Trek - Trekking Through a Forest Kathmandu Valley Trek - Another Blue Village

When we got to the top of the hill, we noticed that all of the buildings in the village where we stopped to eat were at least partially blue.

Sitting by the Fire in Nagarkot Nepal After a Long Day on a Kathmandu Valley Trek

Kathmandu Valley Trek - Hotel at the End of The Universe Kathmandu Valley Trek - Sitting by the Fire in Nagarkot We got a bit of a laugh when we rocked into Nagarkot and saw the ‘Hotel at the End of the Universe’. I mean, we knew we’d hiked a long way that day, but to the end of the universe? Wow.

We put in our order for dinner and went to rest for a while.

When arrived in the dining room for dinner, we noticed the staff has started a fire in the fire place for us.

We chatted by the fire for several hours before heading to bed. I think we all slept pretty well that night!

Kathmandu Valley Trek Day 3 – Nagarkot to Dhulikhel

Kathmandu Valley Trek - Hiking on a Road Kathmandu Valley Trek - Another Day, Another Cow We arose bright and early for the second last day of our Kathmandu Valley trek.

It was actually our last day of hiking though.

Again it was a long day with many awesome views and animals along the way.

We even saw a little waterfall.

And would you believe we stopped at another blue village for lunch? Maybe blue villages are a thing in the Kathmandu Valley.

Kathmandu Valley Trek - Waterfall Kathmandu Valley Trek - Terraced Hill Kathmandu Valley Trek - Empty Trail Kathmandu Valley Trek - Terrace Farming

Kathmandu Valley Trek – Taking it Easy on the Way to Dhulikhel

Kathmandu Valley Trek - Downhill to Dhulikhel Kathmandu Valley Trek - Unexpected Uphill on the Way to Dhulikhel The Nagarkot to Dhulikhel part of our trek was pretty much all down hill.

Except for the part in the middle that wasn’t.

Luckily that part didn’t last for too long.

The trails for most of this day were more open than other days. Strangely, all the animals we’d been seeing throughout the trek seemed to disappear after lunch.

Perhaps that was because we were getting closer to a city.

Dhulikhel to Kathmandu – Day 4 of a Kathmandu Valley Trek

Kathmandu Valley Trek - Dhulikhel Kathmandu Valley Trek - Nepal Transport Although the fourth day of our Kathmandu Valley trek didn’t really include much trekking, it did include quite a bit of travel.

We had walked nearly 70 kilometres in our three days of hiking and needed to get back to Kathmandu, which was now 30 kilometres away.

So we got to experience some local transport, which was fun and frightening at the same time.

Final Thoughts on Nepali Trekking

Our Kathmandu Valley trek was pretty amazing overall. We did notice that everywhere we stopped for food there was a long wait. The food was great, it just took a while to get to us.

Given that our trek came at a very cheap price, we were expecting very basic facilities for our overnight stays. They were much better than we expected.

We walked nearly 70 kilometres in the 4 days of our Kathmandu Valley Trek. With more than 1800m net elevation gain over those days, this trek may not be suitable for people who are not regular hikers. At least not at the pace we did it.

For an easier trek, you could start in Chisapani. Any Nepali trekking adventure will be a great one, no matter how short it is.

___________________________________________________________

Are you ready to take your very own Kathmandu Valley Trekking trip? My friend Bhim from Exodus Himalaya Treks and Expeditions can help you plan an amazing trip. :o)

If you enjoyed this article, we’d be grateful if you shared it with your friends. Thank you! :o)

Eye Opening and Historic Places to Go in Lebanon

Lebanon is not normally on most people’s list of places to visit, but it should be!

While the country’s recent troubled history may be a deterrent for some, its ancient, classical and medieval history is amazing and deserves to be seen and adored. Let’s take a look at some eye-opening places to go in Lebanon.

Attractions in Lebanon – Ancient Ruins

There are a pile of ancient ruins in Lebanon, especially in the Baalbek District, about an hour and a half to two hours northeast of Beirut. Depending on traffic.

Historic Places to Go in Lebanon - Map

Some of the ancient ruins in Lebanon include the Phoenician ruins in Martyrs’ Square near the city centre and Roman bath ruins also near the centre.

Then there’s the Temple of Venus Baalbek, (sometimes also written as Balbec, Balbek, Balbeck or Ballbek) and the Temple of Bacchus Baalbek, one of the most amazing historic places to go in Lebanon. But we’ll get to that later.

First, let’s talk about how to get to Lebanon and some Lebanon attractions.

A Chat About How to Get to Lebanon and Places to Go in Lebanon

While I was in Istanbul, I was talking to a lovely Kyrgyz lady I had met about my plans to travel to Israel and Lebanon that year.

She advised me that Beirut was only a short, super cheap flight from Istanbul.

She had me at super cheap. I was on a flight the next day. It cost the equivalent of US$100 return.

Interestingly, Cyprus is also only a short, cheap flight from Lebanon as well.

Planning to See Lebanon Attractions in the City But Then Finding Other Places to Go in Lebanon

Eye-opening Places to Go in Lebanon - Horse Statue in Beirut As my trip to Lebanon was so very last minute and way too short, I was planning on staying close to the city.

I had originally thought I’d check out the Raouche Pigeon Rocks on the coast right near the city, then maybe the Jeita Grotto which is only 20 minutes away from the city.

I was also thinking I might even take in some of the ruins around the city that hadn’t yet been swallowed by urbanism.

That was until I met a middle-aged lady who had been going to Lebanon once a year for the previous 15 years.

She had planned a trip to Baalbek and invited me along.

Places to Go in Lebanon – Baalbek District; Heliopolis of Greek and Roman Times

Eye-opening Places to Go in Lebanon - Baalbek Ruins Eye-opening Places to Go in Lebanon - Roman Ruins in Baalbek Baalbek was set up as a place of worship for Baal, the Phoenician Sun God. Then the Greeks came along and renamed it to Heliopolis, or ‘City of the Sun’.

You can see why. It was very sunny. In fact, a particularly intense sunset from Baalbek made our list of Sunsets Around the World.

The Romans later conquered Heliopolis and co-opted some Phoenician beliefs but Romanised the god’s names. Baal became Jupiter and his consort, Astarte became Venus.

The Roman Ruins of the Heliopolitan Triad in Baalbek – Places to Go in Lebanon

Eye-opening Places to Go in Lebanon - Roman Ruins in Baalbek Eye-opening Places to Go in Lebanon - Roman Ruins in Baalbek at Sunset Roman temples to Jupiter, Venus and Bacchus (Jupiter’s Son), were built on the ruins of previous temples.

The Heliopolitan Triad makes for some impressive Lebanon Roman ruins. The Temple of Bacchus Baalbek is said to be the most well preserved of the Roman ruins in Lebanon.

Unfortunately, it was blocked off the day I was there, along with the Temple of Jupiter.

Temple of Venus Baalbek – Places to Go in Lebanon

Eye-opening Places to Go in Lebanon - Temple of Venus Roman Ruins in Baalbek Eye-opening Places to Go in Lebanon - Behind the Temple of Venus The Temple of Venus however was accessible.

I imagine she would’ve been quite a grand building, because even in her ruined state she was still quite impressive.

Notice that there are no people in the photos?

Despite the fact that you would think a UNESCO site would be a major tourist attraction, there was almost no one around.

Eye-opening Places to Go in Lebanon - Temple of Venus Baalbek, Roman Ruins Eye-opening Places to Go in Lebanon - Temple of Venus Roman Ruins in Baalbek

Even the town of Baalbek itself was relatively quiet as soon as you got away from the main road.

Places to Go in Lebanon – Quiet Towns With Soldiers

Eye-opening Places to Go in Lebanon - Main Road of Baalbek Possibly owing to it’s troubled history, there’s a good chance you’ll encounter soldiers in camo with honking big guns in Lebanon.

Just standing around nonchalantly, like it’s a normal thing to carry a death machine.

I live in a place with gun controls (that definitely work, by the way) where people just don’t walk around with guns.

So imagine how freaked out I was when I was first approached by a soldier on a road. I was by myself, minding my own business and didn’t think I was doing anything wrong.

Friendly Soldiers

It turns out he was just the first of many soldiers that approached me as I walked around because they were curious. They just wanted to chat!

So that may make you wonder what language do they speak in Lebanon. They generally speak a few!

What Language is Spoken in Lebanon

As a Middle Eastern country, a form of Arabic is spoken, but it has been strongly influenced by other languages given Lebanon’s position on the Mediterranean Sea and its colonial history. So the main language spoken in Lebanon is Lebanese Arabic, (you can find some Lebanese Arabic phrases here).

Due to their French colonial past, a lot of Lebanese people learn French as a second language. With the rise of English as a world language, many learn English as well as, or instead of French.

To answer the question, what language is spoken in Lebanon more directly; Lebanese Arabic, French and English.

All of the people I came into contact with, including the minivan drivers and the soldiers that approached me, spoke at least basic English.

What to do in Beirut – Places to Go in Lebanon

Eye-Opening Places to Go in Lebanon - Beirut City Centre The city centre of Beirut Lebanon could be mistaken for a new European city. It’s very modern and none of the buildings look more than ten years old.

That’s the one of the consequences of wars and bombings in recent history.

To be honest, although it was aesthetically lovely, it felt like it was kind of sterile. It didn’t really have any character.

This city would be unrecognisable to anyone who visited Beirut prior to the 1990s.

If you hear anyone talking about old Beirut, it really doesn’t exist anymore. Well, except for a few spots in the city. Like Martyrs’ Square.

What to do in Beirut – Visit Martyrs’ Square: Places to Go in Lebanon

One of the more interesting things to do in Beirut is visit Martyrs’ Square.

This square in Central Beirut has been known as Martyrs’ Square since 1931, to commemorate the martyrs executed there under Ottoman rule.

It had several names and roles in Lebanese society before that. It has been a focal point for dividing lines in civil wars and protest movements.

Phoenician, not Roman Ruins in Lebanon – Places to Go in Lebanon

Eye-opening Places to Go in Lebanon - Martyrs' Square Eye-opening Places to Go in Lebanon - Phoenician Ruins of Martyrs' Square What’s so unique about Martyrs’ Square is what lies beneath it. Some of the most ancient ruins in Lebanon; Phoenician ruins!

Although there are a lot of Roman ruins in Lebanon and these ones are often, mistakenly called Roman ruins, they are not. They are Phoenician. I checked with some locals.

The Phoenician civilisation predates the Roman Empire.

Although there was a part of history where Phoenicia came under Roman rule.

These ruins are sneaky. You have no idea they’re there until you’re almost on top of them because they are below ground level.

Lebanon Monuments – Martyrs’ Monument in Martyrs’ Square: Places to Go in Lebanon

Eye-opening Places to Go in Lebanon - Martyrs' Monument in Martyrs' Square With Mohammed Al Amin Mosque in the Background Overlooking the ruins is the Martyrs’ Monument, the most famous of Lebanon monuments in the most iconic of Lebanon places.

The sculpture was created by Italian sculptor Marino Mazzacurati to commemorate the hanging of Lebanese patriots who were vocal in their opposition to Turkish rule under the Ottoman Empire.

No list of attraction in Lebanon would be complete with a mosque!

The mosque that can be seen in the background of the Martyrs’ Monument is the Mohammed Al Amin Mosque.

Things to do in Beirut – Visit the Mohammed Al Amin Mosque

Eye-opening Places to Go in Lebanon - Mohamed Al Amin Mosque Near Martyrs' Square One of the most beautiful places to go in Lebanon and one of the big attractions in Lebanon is the Mohammed Al Amin Mosque in Downtown Beirut.

This mosque, like it’s counterparts in Istanbul and Tashkent, Uzbekistan is also known as the blue mosque.

Like most of the other buildings in the city of Beirut, this mosque is not very old.

It was only inaugurated in 2008.

What to Do in Beirut – See Some of the Remains of Old Beirut Outside of the City Centre

Eye-opening Places to Go in Lebanon - Beirut Suburb While everything in the city centre is mostly new, things are a little different in the suburbs.

There you can still see some buildings showing the tell-tale signs of civil wars and bombings.

You might see things like missing windows, holes or burn marks on buildings.

You may be surprised to know that some of the building are still in use.

Final Word on Lebanon Destinations and Attractions in Lebanon

There are some great Lebanon destinations that you should visit. There are also some amazing natural attractions in Lebanon like the Baatara Gorge Waterfall, an hour and 20 minutes north of Beirut and the Jeita Grotto, 30 minutes north of Beirut.

Heritage sites like Baalbek and the Temple of Eshmun in Sidon, 40 minutes south of Beirut, are huge historic attractions in Lebanon.

Spend More Time, Go to More Lebanon Destnations and See More Attractions in Lebanon

I did myself and Lebanon a great disservice by only going to the country for two days.

Of course I still had an amazing time, but with all the things to do in Beirut and all the Lebanon destinations full of history and nature, it deserved much more of my time. Don’t make my mistake!

___________________________________________________________

What do you think of these places to go in Lebanon? Let’s have a conversation below! :o)

Feel free to share this article with your friends. Thank you! :o)

Nova Scotia Road Trip

Nova Scotia Road Trip - Road Trip in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia, Nouvelle-Écosse in French, is the southernmost of the 3 Maritime and 4 Atlantic provinces in Eastern Canada. In Latin, it means New Scotland, so as you can imagine, it has a strong Gaelic culture and history.

This means that when you are on a Nova Scotia road trip, you will see many settlements with both English and Gaelic names. You might even meet some Gaelic speakers too.

Let the road trip in Nova Scotia road begin!

Caribou to North Sydney on a Road Trip in Nova Scotia

I had entered Nova Scotia at Caribou, after taking a ferry from Prince Edward Island.

From there I headed to North Sydney to get the ferry to the island of Newfoundland in the Newfoundland and Labrador province.

In true Canada style, there was some great scenery to see on the way.

Including an awesome sunset.

North Sydney to Cape Breton Highlands National Park on a Nova Scotia Road Trip

From the terminal where the Newfoundland ferry arrives in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, a short drive will get you to the Cape Breton Highlands National Park on Cape Breton Island.

Cape Breton Island is in the northeast of Nova Scotia and the Cape Breton Highlands National Park covers more than 900 square kilometres of the land on the island.

Nova Scotia Road Trip - Cape Breton Highlands National Park

Nova Scotia Road Trip – Getting to Cape Breton Island

About 15 minutes out of North Sydney, you can drive over the Sea Island Bridge to cross over the Big Bras d’Or Channel and on to Cape Breton Island. Or at least a thin arm of land jutting out from the island.

From there, you have two options to get to the main part of the island.

Option One – Englishtown Ferry to Jersey Cove

The quickest route is the Englishtown Ferry across the inlet between the arm of land and the island.

It’s only about 150m across the inlet from Englishtown to Jersey Cove.

The Englishtown Ferry is big enough to fit about 10 cars on it. I swear it took longer to load the cars on that it did to actually do the crossing.

It cost CA$7 for a 2 minute trip. As of June 2021, all intraprovince ferries are now free.

Option Two – Drive Around the Inlet For an Hour

The longer and possibly more scenic route takes you all the way around the inlet and through the town of St Anns.

St Anns is the home of Gaelic education and crafts on Cape Breton Island. It’s also a popular stop along the Cabot Trail.

Cabot Trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park on a Nova Scotia Road Trip

The Cabot Trail is a 298 kilometre loop starting and finishing in Baddock on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. The trail passes through the Cape Breton Highlands National Park in the north of Cape Breton Island.

Some of the popular stops along the trail include the home of the Gaelic College and Celtic arts, small fishing villages, Acadian villages and places to go whale watching. And don’t forget hikes to waterfalls!

From North Sydney, you can join the Cabot Trail in the town of St Ann’s at the south of St Ann’s Bay, or just after River Bennett if you take the Englishtown Ferry to Jersey Cove.

Nova Scotia Road Trip – Mary Ann Falls on the Cabot Trail

Nova Scotia Road Trip - Mary Ann Falls in Cape Breton Highlands National Park Nova Scotia Road Trip - Mary Ann Falls in Cape Breton Highlands National Park A path to the Mary Ann Falls offers a nice little forest hike.

It’s only a few hundred metres, so it’s nothing too strenuous.

It’s not the biggest waterfall in Nova Scotia, but it’s still beautiful.

The added benefit here is that there probably won’t be anyone else around, so you can be one with nature.

Lakies Head Lookout on the Cabot Trail – Nova Scotia Road Trip

Nova Scotia Road Trip - Lakies Head Lookout Bird House and Sign Nova Scotia Road Trip - Lakies Head Lookout Not far from the Mary Ann Falls is a lookout at Lakies Head.

It’s not your average look-out-on-to-a-beautiful-beach kind of lookout though.

The coastline along this part of the Cabot Trail has it’s own rugged beauty and elegance.

Everything about this lookout was amazing. From the birdhouse near the lookout sign, to the coastal rocks and the calm waters.

In fact, this was my favourite lookout along the Cabot Trail.

Nova Scotia Road Trip – Pleasant Bay on the Cabot Trail

Nova Scotia Road Trip - Pleasant Bay on the Cabot Trail Nova Scotia Road Trip - Pleasant Bay Church Once you’ve driven up the eastern coast and across the north of Cape Breton Island on the Cabot Trail, the trail starts to head southwest along the western coast of the island.

The first stop on the western coast of Cape Breton Island is Pleasant Bay. With a name like that, you’d be expecting a pleasant bay, right?

Well, you will not be disappointed! But it doesn’t stop at a pleasant bay.

The town is also a quaint and pleasant town with colourful buildings.

With it’s position on the bay, it’s an amazing place for whale watching as well.

Nova Scotia Road Trip - View From Pleasant Bay

A Visit to Halifax Regional Municipality on a Nova Scotia Road Trip

Nova Scotia Road Trip - Halifax Nova Scotia Road Trip - Halifax Armoury I happened to cruise into the Halifax Regional Municipality on a rainy Canada Day and let’s just say it wasn’t hard to find bars in the town centre.

In fact, I’d say that Halifax has the highest amount of pubs per capita of any Canadian capital. So of course there were a lot of drunk people wandering around.

And celebratory fireworks for Canada’s 150th birthday.

You might be surprised to know that Halifax is not actually a city, but rather a municipality. It’s official name is Halifax Regional Municipality, but of course most people just call it Halifax.

Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia, although it’s only the 13th most populated centre in Canada.

Nova Scotia Road Trip – Street Art in Halifax

Nova Scotia Road Trip - Halifax Door Street Art Nova Scotia Road Trip - Halifax Street Art Mural

The centre of Halifax had quite a bit of street art for a place with a relatively small population.

It seems that local businesses have been commissioning local and international artists to beautify their external walls for years.

It definitely brings a bit of colour to an otherwise dull and rainy day!

Street Art Mural in Halifax Nova Scotia Road Trip - Street Art in Halifax Nova Scotia Road Trip - Halifax Street Art, Tagging Nova Scotia Road Trip - Halifax Street Art, Stickering

Peggys Cove on a Nova Scotia Road Trip

Just 45 minutes southwest of Halifax, there’s a cute little town on a bay called Peggys Cove.
Nova Scotia Road Trip - Peggys Cove Rocks Nova Scotia Road Trip - Peggys Cove Rock Pool Nova Scotia Road Trip - Peggys Cove Lighthouse Nova Scotia Road Trip - Peggy of the Cove Museum

It’s famous for it’s lighthouse and it’s smooth but treacherous rocks.

Nova Scotia Road Trip - House on Stilts at Peggys Cove Nova Scotia Road Trip - Fishing Village at Peggy's Cove

To get to the lighthouse and the rocks, you need to walk through the old fishing village and it’s totally adorable.

I really loved the houses on stilts over the water.

As if the colours of the village weren’t already endearing enough, they have streets with names like Lobster Lane.

The mainstay of the village is lobster fishing, even in this day and age!

Nova Scotia Road Trip – ‘Shubie’ River

Nova Scotia Road Trip - Shubie River Nova Scotia Road Trip - Upside Down Tree at the Shubie River Sometimes in Canada, the names of places and features are really long and hard to say.

Like the Shubenacadie River. The Shubenacadie River runs about 72 kilometres through the centre of Nova Scotia.

So as not to get tongue tied, most locals refer to it as the Shubie River.

Now that’s a name that has more of a flow to it! See what I did there?

All Good Nova Scotia Road Trips Must Come to An End

Unfortunately, the Shubie River was my last stop in Nova Scotia before heading back through New Brunswick, Maine and New Hampshire to get back to Massachusetts to drop off the hire car.

___________________________________________________________

If you’ve enjoyed reading about this Nova Scotia road trip, we’d be grateful if you could share the love with your friends!
You can click one of the pictures below to Pin It or later! Thank you! :o)

Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec

A plan was set in motion to do an Eastern Canada road trip in Ontario and Quebec. Surely getting from British Columbia to Ontario would be easy?

Prelude to an Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec

One of the totally weird things about Canada is that it’s often cheaper to fly through the US to get to other Canadian cities. Like a LOT cheaper. That’s how I ended up on a flight to Detroit, via Denver, from Vancouver. To get to Windsor Ontario.

It was there that I would start my first Eastern Canada road trip in Ontario and Quebec.

Unscheduled Overnighter in Denver on the way to Eastern Canada

Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec - Airport Food Voucher Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec - Terrible Airport Food Unfortunately, we were ‘de-planed’ after sitting stationary at the gate for an hour at the Denver International airport.

The airline put us up in a hotel for the night and gave us a whole US$14 in food vouchers.

The next day included terrible airport food in between being on standby for several flights but not actually getting on a flight.

Then getting rerouted to Chicago and being made to check my tiny bag at the gate. Then having that bag not board the plane to Detroit with me.

Hanging in Detroit Waiting For a Bag on the way to an Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec

Luckily, with the help of a friendly customer service lady in Detroit, my bag got on a flight an hour later. That meant a 2 hour wait.

I made my friend from Windsor wait with me, because crossing the border to come back again would’ve been a waste of time, right? I suggested a drive to get some food.

My friend was scared of driving around big bad Detroit at night, but realised that it was better to swallow that fear than deal with hangry me.

Windsor – Canada’s Southernmost City on an Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec

I finally made it to Windsor at 1am on the third day after leaving Vancouver. Just in time to sleep.

Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec - View of Detroit From Windsor Windsor is the only Canadian city that has US cities to it’s north.

That makes Windsor the southernmost city in Canada.

Windsor is known as the ‘automotive capital of Canada’ which makes sense as it’s just across the river from Motor City.

The views of Detroit from Windsor are pretty amazing.

Windsor is also home to several Casinos. According to my friend, Caesars on the water front near the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel apparently had a huge problem with US teenagers taking advantage of the lower drinking age in Canada.

Sounds like a great place to avoid.

Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec - Detroit River From Windsor Ontario Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec - Sunset on the Detroit River in Windsor There was plenty more to see along the waterfront anyway.

Like awesome sunsets.

Awesome enough to be included in our list of beautiful Sunsets Around the World.

There was also a lovely paved water front trail with some green areas and park benches.

And plenty of friendly runners.

Windsor to Toronto via London – Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec

Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec - Windsor to Toronto Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec - Lunch in London After a bit of time to regroup in Windsor, we set off for the 3 and a half hour trip to Toronto.

About an hour and a half into the trip, we were feeling a bit hungry, so we popped over to London for lunch.

I thought it was cool that I was in London halfway across the world from ‘the’ London in the UK.

Yes, I am very easily impressed.

It’s just another Canadian town and nothing like London in the UK, by the way.

The City of Toronto on an Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec

Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec - City of Toronto Across the River Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec - Toronto From Across the River Toronto is quite an impressive city but I found it rather quiet, considering that it’s the most populated Canadian city.

Perhaps everyone was hiding from the cold?

The temperature was hovering around zero degrees (celsius) in spring!

Luckily, I had brought gloves with me. I couldn’t feel my hands without them.

Distillery District in Toronto – Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec

Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec - Art in the Distillery District in Toronto Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec - Toronto's Distillery District Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec - Distillery District in Toronto Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec - Pedestrian Walkway in Toronto's Distillery District

I’d totally recommend visiting Toronto’s awesome Distillery District. It feels like a quaint old town, complete with old-timey clocks and street lamps.

The best part about the Distillery District is that it is car free. That makes it pleasant to walk around even when your hands feel like they’re freezing off.

Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec – Toronto to Ottawa via Perth

Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec - Toronto to Ottawa Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec - Perth Ontario The cold was getting to me, so I needed to get back on the road.

This time from Canada’s most populated city to Canada’s capital city. With a stop in Perth.

Now this Perth was a little smaller than the other two Perths I’ve visited (in Australia and the UK).

But this one has enough people to make it’s own beer.

The Canadian Capital of Ottawa on an Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec

Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec - Ottawa Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec - Ottawa River With Ice Up to this point, I had been finding things a little cold, but hadn’t seen any snow. Ottawa changed that.

It was snowing while I was driving, making it the first and only time in my life I had driven with snow actively falling.

What I found amazing is how the snow just disappeared once it made contact with the windscreen or the ground.

Obviously it was a very light snow. My Canadian friend thought I was a little crazy, but when you’ve only seen snow a few times in your life, these things seem amazing.

Ottawa to Montreal on an Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec

Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec - Ottawa to Montreal Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec - French Road Signs in Quebec Ottawa borders the Gatineau area of Quebec.

That means a quick drive over the Ottawa River puts you in the Quebec province.

Then things start getting very French.

As soon as we crossed the border into Quebec, all English signs disappeared.

Surely my Canadian friend would have no problem with that, given that all Canadians learn French in school. Right?

Well, it turns out that most English speaking Canadians forget their nation’s second official language after they finish school. Whoops.

Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec – Montreal

Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec - Art in Quebec This of course led to some interesting interactions.

French is definitely the main language in Montreal. The locals’ English was about as good as our French.

We had stopped a local walking along the pavement to ask about the parking sign we couldn’t understand. He knew what we were asking, but couldn’t express it in English.

He stopped another local walking along to ask for help. Between the four of us we managed to work out that the street parking we’d found wasn’t free for another hour.

We also found out that locals were friendly, even if they couldn’t speak English. When they could, they were insanely helpful.

Like the waiter at the restaurant we went to who translated the menu for us when he heard us struggling.

Ultra Crazy Drivers in Montreal

Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec - Moose in Quebec We figured we could drive around for a bit to have a look at the city and come back to park later.

After driving in British Columbia and Alberta I’d found Canadian drivers to be generally mild mannered.

Not in Montreal.

I swear they all thought they were in some kind of grand prix. Racing through city streets, half skidding around corners, running amber lights.

Driving in Montreal is not for the faint-hearted.

Montreal to New York State – Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec

We had a pretty quick border crossing at the Champlain – St Bernard de Lacolle border, not far from Montreal. I was driving at that point. The Immigration Officer was a little confused about a non-Canadian driving a Canadian car into the US.

The last time I’d confused a US Immigration officer that much was when I’d driven a hire car registered in the US from Canada into the US. I’m not sure why it’s an issue for them, but once we explained that it was my Canadian friend’s car we were waved through.

Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec – New York State to Niagara

Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec - Champlain to Niagara Much of the drive through New York State happened at night. We had decided to sleep in the car because we couldn’t make a decision about which town to stop in.

Around 2am I had driven as far as humanly possible and we pulled into a road side rest stop.

This road side stop was freaking amazing. It was huge and far enough away from the road that traffic noise was only a mild hum.

It had facilities. There was a picnic and camping area, as well as bathrooms and a shop, which obviously wasn’t open at the time.

It was a lot more than I had expected from a road side stop.

Niagara Falls on an Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec

Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec - Niagara Falls New York Looking in to Niagara Falls Ontario What road trip in Ontario would be complete without a visit to Niagara Falls?

Definitely not this one!

The interesting thing about Niagara Falls is that they straddle the US – Canada border.

That means you can view them from both sides of the border.

In the City of Niagara Falls Ontario or the City of Niagara Falls New York.

View From the New York Side of the Niagara Falls on an Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec

Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec - Niagara Falls It’s always been a hot topic of debate; which side has the best views? The US side or the Canada side?

That really depends on the view that you want.

The US side has a huge park that follows the water line and allows for some great views and awesome photos.

It was also pretty easy to find free parking on the US side.

Although this side is great for photos, you don’t really get that close to the falls.

Photos are cool and all, but if you want a full sensory experience, head to the Canada side.

View From the Ontario Side of the Niagara Falls on an Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec

On the Canada side, you’re almost right on top of the falls. That means you get to hear the roar and feel the spray of the falls.

The problem with this side is that it’s a lot more crowded. Finding parking can be a nightmare and you need to be prepared to walk a lot.

My recommendation? Do both!

It’s an easy border crossing and well worth it.

You might even want to consider going back in different seasons. As you can see, the falls were half ice when I was there in spring. I thought that was a bonus as I’d never seen any photos of them like that.

I’d also love to see them in summer.

Coming soon: more adventures in Canada’s Eastern Provinces

_________________________________________________________________

If you’ve enjoyed this Eastern Canada Road Trip in Ontario and Quebec, please let your friends know by giving it a share. You can click on of the pictures below to Pin It for later.

5 Famous and Quirky Towns in Alberta on a Road Trip From British Columbia to Alberta

5 Famous and Quirky Towns in Alberta - Revelstoke to Lake Louise

After being awed by the natural wonders of British Columbia, it was time to do an epic road trip from British Columbia to Alberta and see some famous and quirky towns in Alberta.

When I say epic, that’s no exaggeration. The road trip from British Columbia to Alberta takes you through the amazing Rocky Mountains. Really, what is more epic than a mountain range that stretches almost 5000 kilometres?

The drive is also over 1000 kilometres, which is epic in some people’s books. I was planning on going all the way to Calgary in one trip. The universe had other ideas.

Road Trip From British Columbia to Alberta – Mission to Revelstoke

5 Quirky Towns in Alberta - Trans Canada Highway Somewhere Between Vancouver and to Revelstoke Through a series of unfortunate incidences, my departure was delayed and I didn’t end up leaving Mission, about 70 kilometres east of Vancouver, until the afternoon.

I was travelling at Easter, when there is still the possibility of snow in the Rockies, without snow tyres. I didn’t see snow until my twenties, so how would I even know snow tyres were a thing needed to pass through the Rockies in Spring?

The Perils of a Road Trip to Alberta in Spring


Fortunately, there were signs to remind me that I should have snow tyres or chains when travelling the area from October to March. Unfortunately, they didn’t appear until I was hundreds of kilometres from the city.

I was keeping an eye on the highway cams using the DriveBC website. It was showing some seriously crap weather about 10 kilometres east of Revelstoke.

That’s when I decided to rest in Revelstoke overnight.

Revelstoke to Lake Louise – A Road Trip From British Columbia to Alberta

5 Quirky Towns in Alberta - Just out of Revelstoke The cam still looked pretty bad in the morning, but I was running out of time.

I needed to have the hire car back in Vancouver 2 days later.

I ran the gauntlet and it turned out that the cam had lied.

The weather wasn’t perfect, but it was far from the catastrophe the cam had indicated.

5 Quirky Towns in Alberta - Revelstoke to Lake Louise It wasn’t long until things dried up and I began to see the snow-tips of the Rocky Mountains getting closer.

I passed through some interestingly named towns; Glacier, Rogers, Donald, Golden and Field.

Once I got to Golden, I knew that I was less than an hour away from Alberta.

My next stop would be Lake Louise in Alberta.

Lake Louise – Famous and Quirky Towns in Alberta

5 Quirky Towns in Alberta - Lake Louise
Photo by Samuel Bütikofer from Pexels
Lake Louise is a little town in the Banff National Park with majorly awesome views.

Well actually, it’s barely a town. It’s more like a hamlet that was built around the glacial lake it’s named after.

Lake Louise get’s pretty crowded all year round. But you might be so mesmerised by the view that you won’t even notice.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you could hike The Beehive.

Lake Moraine – A Must-See Lake Near Lake Louise

5 Quirky Towns in Alberta - Moraine Lake in the Valley of 10 Peaks
Photo by Jaime Reimer from Pexels
Around 15 kilometres east of Lake Louise is another glacial lake that you won’t want to miss!

Moraine Lake in the Valley of Ten Peaks is simply stunning.

Who could ever get sick of looking at glacial lakes?

Moraine Lake is only accessible during the summer as it’s frozen over in winter.

If you happen to be passing through the area when things are frozen, there are plenty of winter activities to partake in at Lake Louise.

Including Ice Skating on the lake.

Lake Louise to Calgary Via Banff – Famous and Quirky Towns in Alberta on a Road Trip From British Columbia to Alberta

5 Quirky Towns in Alberta - Lake Louise to Calgary Via Banff on the Trans Canada Highway Just before leaving Vancouver, I had managed to break my phone and had to buy a cheap one to be able to take photos of my trip.

Unfortunately, the new phone had decided it didn’t want to work with the car charger.

This meant I was without a map, compass and time telling apparatus for most of the trip.

Luckily the Trans Canadian Highway is so amazingly well sign posted that maps are not absolutely essential.

You’ll just have to believe me when I say that the drive was lovely and scenic!

Famous and Quirky Towns in Alberta – Banff

The town of Banff, which is in the Banff National Park is not just a beautifully scenic town, it’s also pretty damn quirky! There’s a plethora of weird and wonderful things to see within 20 kilometres of the town.

Can I interest you in the slightly scary looking Banff Merman at the Indian Trading Post? Or perhaps a museum in a fence? If ghosts towns are more your style, there are both underwater and above ground versions near Banff.

If that’s all a bit weird for you, how about a giant head sticking out of the pavement in Canmore?

Honestly, who would’ve thought that Banff was so quirky?

Famous and Quirky Towns in Alberta – Calgary

Calgary, the host of the 1988 Winter Olympics, is also known as Cowtown. You may ask, why? There’s actually a few reasons.

Their yearly cow shindig, the Calgary Stampede is one of them. Another is the general ‘wild west’ kind of feel of the place and it’s traditionally agricultural-based economy.

So what self-respecting Cowtown wouldn’t have a herd of painted cattle in its downtown area? Of course, no cows were harmed during the making of Udderly Art.

Art in Calgary – Famous and Quirky Towns in Alberta

They seem to love their art in Calgary. You can find many street side utility boxes adorned with local art. The Calgary Utility Box Art Program started as a deterrent for graffiti and vandalism but has grown into so much more.

There’s also a huge blue ring on a highway bridge in Calgary. Some people love it. Some hate it, but it’s definitely something you won’t see elsewhere.

Speaking of bridges, you could walk the Finger Trap Bridge across the Bow River to or from the Calgary Downtown area. It’s actually called the Peace Bridge, it just looks like a big red finger trap.

Calgary to Edmonton – Famous and Quirky Towns in Alberta on a Road Trip From British Columbia to Alberta

5 Quirky Towns in Alberta - Calgary to Edmonton It’s only a 3 hour drive from Cowtown to the Capital of Alberta, Edmonton.

After driving through the Rockies, the road from Calgary to Edmonton didn’t seem anywhere near as scenic.

It’s flat. Very flat. The area between Calgary and Edmonton, as well as much of the rest of Alberta is part of the Great Plains and the Canadian Prairies.

These plains are the reason that Alberta is the biggest beef producing province in Canada.

Famous and Quirky Towns in Alberta – Edmonton

5 Famous and Quirky Towns in Alberta on a Road Trip From British Columbia to Alberta - West Edmonton Mall Facebook Check In Edmonton, the capital of Alberta contains one of the world’s biggest malls. It used to be the world’s biggest, but has now been relegated to biggest in North America.

I managed to get my phone working long enough to call my friends to let them know I was okay, get some WiFi and take a few photos. But that was pretty much the phone’s last stand.

West Edmonton Mall

The West Edmonton Mall claims to have it all. That might not be far from the truth. There’s a mini golf course, pool hall, water park, lagoon, arcade and bowling alley in there. Oh yeah, they have shops too but I had gone there for one reason.

5 Famous and Quirky Towns in Alberta on a Road Trip From British Columbia to Alberta - West Edmonton Mall Ship 5 Famous and Quirky Towns in Alberta on a Road Trip From British Columbia to Alberta - West Edmonton Mall Fountain With Lights 5 Famous and Quirky Towns in Alberta on a Road Trip From British Columbia to Alberta - West Edmonton Mall Fountain 5 Famous and Quirky Towns in Alberta on a Road Trip From British Columbia to Alberta - West Edmonton Mall Amusement Park

Galaxyland; a space-themed amusement park complete with rollercoaster. Yee haw!

Vulcan – Famous and Quirky Towns in Alberta

Of all the quirky towns in Alberta, Vulcan is arguably the quirkiest. It was my favourite of all the towns in Alberta that I visited. It’s a small farming town in the middle of nowhere. It’s claim to fame is it’s name.

It was named after the Roman god of fire, but don’t tell the Trekkies! If you don’t know, Vulcan is the name of the planet where all the logical aliens are from. Star Trek fans have kind of coopted the town’s name into Star Trek cannon.

Vulcan – One of the Quirky Towns in Alberta That Made Itself a Star Trek Destination

The town of Vulcan, being small and in the middle of nowhere, has happily allowed them to do that. They have fully embraced all things Trek, ( just take a look at the Vulcan tourism website). The town is basically a living Trek shrine with attractions to get Trek fans to visit.

5 Quirky Towns in Alberta - Town of Vulcan Alberta It worked. I was there, after all!

Now, because of my electronics issues, I was unfortunately unable to get any photos of the town. I did however manage to find some WiFi and used my laptop to check in.

Because it didn’t really happen unless it’s on Facebook, right?

Trek Attractions in Vulcan: The Star Trek Capital of Canada

One of the first things you’ll see when you get close to the town is a replica Enterprise with the ‘registration number’ of FX6-1995-A. The FX6 is a reference to Vulcan’s airport designation.

There’s also a mural of the doctors from five of the Star Trek series as well as a tourism centre, shaped like a space station, full of Trek memorabilia. They even have Trek conventions there each year!

Star Trek Spirit of Vulcan

I was there around the time Leonard Nimoy, who played a the Vulcan character Spock, died. The town was paying homage to him with a memorial a week or so after I left.

Some might see this town as a bit cheesy, but it made me smile. The level of effort they’ve made to really get into the Trek spirit is commendable, so Vulcan is a must for Trek fans.

The Alberta Adventure Comes to an End

From Vulcan, I had to make a mad dash back to Vancouver to make sure I didn’t miss my flight out a few days later. I was moving on to the province of Ontario, via the US. That adventure will be available for your reading pleasure soon.

If you’ve enjoyed learning about these 5 famous and quirky towns in Alberta found on a road trip from British Columbia to Alberta, we’d love for you to share it with your friends. Please click one of the pictures below to Pin it for later. Thank you! :o)

An Awesome Visit to the Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus

The Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus - Kyrenia

Once upon a time, an amazing flight deal was found from the Holy Land to the beautiful Mediterranean island of Cyprus. Can you guess which intrepid traveller got themselves on that flight?

It was me. Bet you didn’t see that coming, right?

The Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus – A Tiny Dot With an Epic History

Anyway, the beautiful Mediterranean island of Cyprus is at the convergence of three regions; Africa, Asia and Europe. Its geographical position has ensured this tiny Mediterranean country has had an epic history.

What else would you expect from the birthplace of Aphrodite?

A Beautiful Mediterranean Island with a Complicated History

I honestly couldn’t do it justice if I tried, but if you’re interested, I suggest having a look here and here for more detailed information.

In short, Turkey invaded in the 1970s and essentially split the independent country of Cyprus into the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The former is a European state. The latter is only recognised by Turkey.

Then the United Nations moved in to form a buffer zone called ‘The Green Line’ which runs right through the capital city.

Crossing The Green Line on the beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus

Most nationalities can walk straight through the immigration area near The Green Line with no problems. Although there is no stamp for crossing this ‘border’ and crossing it is not considered to be leaving the country, you still must show your passport.

The Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus - South Nicosia
South Nicosia (Lefkosia)
The Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus - North Nicosia
North Nicosia

The Green Line runs right through the capital city Nicosia.

The city is officially called Lefkosia in Greek (Λευκωσία) and Turkish (Lefkoşa) but is referred to as Nicosia in Latin script.

It is the only remaining divided city in Europe.

The difference between the South and the North is not immediately apparent.

Unless you happen to be crossing on a protest day.


The Green Line is often the site of peaceful protests asking to Unite Cyprus Now. But as you can see, the protests have quite a happy vibe about them. You could even say they’re more like a sing-a-long.

A lot of Cypriots are passionate about their island home being united.

North of The Green Line in the Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus

Nicosia may be the capital, but it’s far from bustling. Cyprus is an island afterall, so even the biggest city on the island probably wouldn’t even be classified as a city in other regions.

The Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus - Sunset in Nicosia The Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus - Steak Salad at Cafe No:3, Nicosia

It feels laid-back and quaint, like a small town.

A lot of stores were already closed, even though the sun had not yet set.

I was feeling a bit hungry, so I found one of the few places left open and grabbed a seat.

The place was called Cafe No:3 and they had steak salad!

Amazingly Friendly Locals on the Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus

Although the official language of Cyprus is English, I was told to not expect many people to speak English very well on the Turkish side. So imagine how amazed I was when the lady serving me at the cafe had a British accent.

Her name was Nazik and she had been a teacher in the UK for many years but was Turkish Cyprus born and bred. She was also an all round awesome person who, after enquiring as to where I was heading, decided that she would drive me to my destination when her shift was over.

We had a great chat on the way and Nazik gave me her phone number and said I could call her if I needed help with anything while I was in Turkish Cyprus. Cypriots are definitely a friendly and helpful bunch!

The Seaside Town of Kyrenia on the Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus

After a good night’s sleep, my host in Kyrenia, Vinny, took me on a bit of a tour of the town of Kyrenia.

The Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus - Looking Out into the Mediterranean From Kyrenia
Looking Out in to the Mediterranean From Kyrenia

The town is quite small and easily walkable.

We started at a small local eatery for a delicious and super cheap breakfast.

Northern Cyprus uses Turkish Lira, making it substantially cheaper than the south where they use the Euro.

We then headed to the waterfront which is a pretty big part of the town. It lies on the northern coast of Cyprus.

I could’ve stared out to sea for hours!

Atatürk Statue

The Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus - Statue of Ataturk in Kyrenia
Statue of Ataturk in Kyrenia

It wasn’t long before we came upon a memorial for Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

Atatürk means ‘Father of the Turks’.

He’s nestled between the Turkish flag and the Northern Cyprus flag.

This wasn’t the last Atatürk statue I would see in Northern Cyprus.

Girne Kalesi/Kyrenia Castle on the beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus

The Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus - Kyrenia Harbour
We continued walking along the coast for several minutes before we got to the harbour and saw what looked like a small watchtower.

It wasn’t long until we started to see the main attraction of Kyrenia; Girne Kalesi or Kyrenia Castle.

The castle was built by the Venetians in the 16th century and has been used for police barracks, a prison and military headquarters in the past.

The Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus - Kyrenia Castle at Kyrenia Harbour The Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus - Kyrenia Castle and Harbour 2 The Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus - Kyrenia Harbour The Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus - Kyrenia Castle Bridge

It is currently home to a chapel, some dungeons and a shipwreck museum.

Interesting side note, if you’ve played Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines, you may recognise Kyrenia and its castle.

Heading Back to Nicosia on the Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus

After talking to Vinny about the logistics of getting to the Larnaca Airport in the south of Cyprus from Kyrenia, I had made a spur-of-the-moment decision to spend my last night in Nicosia instead.

The Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus - Monument Near Nicosia
There was one small problem. Transport between the two cities had already stopped for the day.

Vinny knew someone with a car that could take me to Nicosia.

What I didn’t realise was that this friend would not turn up for many hours. It was quite dark by the time he arrived.

Then I found out halfway through the drive that he could only go to the outskirts of the city of Nicosia because of some car registration issue.

A Roundabout Meeting on the Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus

The Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus - Ataturk Monument near Nicosia
Luckily, my host in Nicosia, Jon, was willing to meet me at a roundabout at the edge of town.

It was there that I saw another Ataturk statue but this time he was on a horse.

On the walk back to Jon’s place, we shared some stories about China. He had lived in China, as I had done, but he spoke Mandarin way better than me.

An Amazing Host on the Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus

Jon was born in Pakistan but is truly a citizen of the world. He’s lived in more countries than I have! He still has that amazing South Asian hospitality in his blood though. After we spent half the night talking, Jon offered me his bed while he took the couch.

As if that wasn’t enough hospitality, he levelled up and made me breakfast without me even asking!

Sites of Nicosia on the Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus

After breakfast, we took in a few sites north of The Green Line in Nicosia, starting with Girne Kapisi or Kyrenia Gate.
The Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus - Girne Kalesi/Kyrenia Gate

The gate is another 16th century Venetian creation that now houses a tourist information centre. Next up was Semiliye Camii, which was once a Christian Cathedral known as Saint Sophia Cathedral.

The Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus - Selimiye Camii The Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus - Saint Sophia Cathedral

It was converted to a mosque in the 16th Century and is the largest surviving church in Cyprus. It’s also amazing inside!
The Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus - Inside Selimiye Camii

Unfortunately, I had to leave Jon there. I mentioned earlier that most nationalities can pass easily through The Green Line. There are some restrictions. Because he was in Turkish Cyprus, Jon was there on a Turkish visa and didn’t have a European visa. That meant he couldn’t cross into the European Republic of Cyprus.
The Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus - Jon and I in Nicosia

The Greener Side of Nicosia on the Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus

The Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus - Line of Trees in Park in Nicosia The Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus -  Trees in a Line in a Park in Nicosia
Once I crossed back over The Green Line, I had some time before I needed to get on the bus back to the airport, so I decided to walk around the city for a bit.

It didn’t take long for me to find a park.

It seems they like their trees to line up in Cyprus.

Interesting Park in Nicosia on the Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus

The park seemed to be an interesting mix of greenery, old buildings. monuments and political scrawlings.
The Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus - Nicosia Park Greenery The Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus - Gate in Park in Nicosia The Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus - Monument in Park in Nicosia The Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus - Political Message in Nicosia

Not at all a bad way to spend my last few hours on the beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus. It definitely beats what happened when checking in for my flight back to Israel.

Check in Drama With Israeli Airline

If you’ve been to Israel, you know that they are extra thorough with their check-in procedure. They ask you like a million and one questions and go through your passport with a fine-tooth comb. Sometime during the process, an asshat security guy had decided that my backpack and I were some kind of threat.

Yes, apparently someone who is all of 5 foot and has been cooperating is a flight risk. Who knew. Isreal has a special kind of profiling that sometimes treats females travelling by themselves like criminals.

Security guy threatened to take my laptop apart and not let me on the flight if I didn’t check my backpack, which was regulation cabin size. I had no choice but to begrudgingly part with my backpack and head for the gate.

Unecessary Search at the Gate

Asshat security guy was at the gate when I got there and confiscated my passport. He used it to make me submit to a search by his bitchy sidekick which involved me removing my underwear. Awkward.

Bitchy sidekick then confiscated three pens, a pencil, a lip balm and an eraser I had in my bag. Seems logical, right?

Amazing Aircrew That Looked After Me On My Way Back to Israel From the Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus

Obviously, I was in a bit of a state once I finally boarded the plane. One of the flight attendants noticed and straight away lead me to the back of the plane where there were rows of vacant seats.

After I told her what happened, she apologised profusely and told me that security does that sometimes. She also said I shouldn’t hold it against Israel as that’s not how people are in the country. But I already knew that.

She gave me a pen so I could write, brought me some water. Then she and the rest of the flight attendants spent the whole flight checking on me to see if I needed anything.

Final Words on the Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus

The fact that this drama unfolded in Cyprus has absolutely nothing to do with Cyprus. It was just unfortunate that I came across an asshat on a power trip. I lodged a complaint with the airline and was later compensated.

The Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus - View From the Plane Plus, the view on the way out was quite calming.

Cyprus is an amazing place full of amazing people.

It’s full of history and beautiful buildings. The food is awesome. I really can’t fault anything about the place.

The beautiful Mediterranean island of Cyprus is definitely a place I will be going back to one day.

If you haven’t been, go book now and thank me later! ;o)

I’ve even found a Cyprus itinerary to help you make the most of your trip!

Check out the whole Mediterranean adventure –
Interesting Sites in Southern Israel
Religious Sites and Nature of Northern Israel
Historic and Natural Places to See in Northern Israel
What is it Really Like in Palestine?
The Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus

If you enjoyed reading this article about the beautiful Mediterranean island of Cyprus, then please share it. You can click one of the pictures below to Pin It for later! Thank you! :o)

The Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau

K in Motion Travel Blog. The Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau. Mini Waterfall on the Way to Ngardmau Waterfall

While most people have never heard of the Palau island chain in the Western Pacific Ocean, those that have probably know it for its diving. Palau is made up of nearly 350 islands, most of them uninhabited and untouched. These remote Micronesian islands are barely 1000 kilometres southeast of the Philippines, so you can imagine how beautiful they are. Join me on a whirlwind visit to the untouched pacific paradise of Palau and find out that the scenery isn’t all that’s beautiful about the place!

Planning a Trip to the Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau

I had a long weekend and wanted to go somewhere new that was close to home. That was a bit of a problem seeing as I had been to almost every country within a 5 hour flight from home. Except for Palau that is. This beautiful country is only served by 3 airlines, so it required a little more planning than my normal trips.

First I looked into taking a charter flight with Palau Pacific Airways from Hong Kong to Palau’s only international airport in Koror. The problem was that this charter only ran on Tuesdays and Thursdays. That meant I would’ve had to stay for one day longer than my holiday. Plus it was HK$5000 for a 4 hour flight. The budget traveller in me was horrified at that price. I’ve flown twice the distance for less than that before!

I also found flights from Incheon in South Korea and Taipei in Taiwan, but they also came with a huge price tag and only ran once or twice a week. It was almost time to give up. Until I found regular flights to Koror in the untouched pacific paradise of Palau from Manila in the Philippines.

That Moment You Realise Your Only Option is an Airline With a Terrible Reputation

The fare was reasonable and even with a flight to Manila factored in, still came in at under half the price of the charter. The problem was that the flight was operated by United Airlines. At the time they had a terrible reputation from a couple of incidents on their flights in the US. As it was my last resort to get to Palau, I bought the ticket hoping that United Airlines operated differently in Asia. It seems that they do.

K in Motion Travel Blog. The Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau. Manila to Koror Boarding Pass

Arriving in the Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau

As you can imagine, the Palau International Airport in Koror is rather small. Only 3 airlines, United Airlines from Manila, Asiana Airlines from Incheon and China Airlines from Taipei, serve the airport. Palau Asia Pacific Airways (PAPA), the 2019 replacement for Palau Pacific Airways which became defunct in 2018, also runs charter flights from Hong Kong and Macau.

K in Motion Travel Blog. The Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau. Welcome to Palau

After alighting from the plane, I entered the second floor of the terminal building and had to walk downstairs to pass through immigration. When I received this form, I had a terrible feeling that things were going to take a long time.

K In Motion Travel Blog. Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau. Entry Card

I mean, do they really need to know my annual salary? For a weekend trip? Luckily, the officers were really friendly and barely even glanced at the form. That meant it was a rather quick and painless process.

Getting into Town in the Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau

I had decided that I was going to walk the six kilometres into the town from the airport. I like walking and an hour of walking is not a big issue for me. I barely even made it to the road before a local picked me up and drove me into town.

His name was Lamz and he was a lovely man. When we got into town, he took me to the address of the place I had booked for the night, but it wasn’t there.

It turned out that my accommodation was actually across the road, but the booking company had sent me the address for the admin building, which was of course empty in the early hours of the morning. Even though I had advised them of my arrival time. Besides that, I’m sure they would be aware of flight arrival times seeing as they run a guesthouse!

Settling in to the Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau for the Night?

Lamz tried calling the phone number that I had for my accommodation, but there was no answer. He then searched the internet and found another number which also wasn’t answered. He then called some friends to see if they knew who ran the place. It was 3 am by that point, but nobody seemed to mind. He tried calling yet another number. Finally, someone answered and said that they would come and let me into my room at 8am, when they opened. Umm, okay.

Lamz offered to take me to his house to wait out the hours and rest a bit. I accepted, after I checked that I wouldn’t be in anyone’s way. When we got there, one of Lamz’s housemates was still awake and started trying to fatten me up with local food. I was pretty sleepy by that point so after a short chat, Lamz showed me to a bed I could rest in for a while.

A New Day, A New Adventure in the Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau

When I woke up, Lamz took me back to my accommodation where I was finally able to check in. Lamz said that he would take me to the airport for my departing flight the next day because he had a long weekend as well. He also offered to be my chauffeur and take me anywhere I wanted to go while in Koror. I had already planned to meet someone that day, so he just took me to the pre-arranged meeting place. He also gave me his old phone to use to call him in case I needed help. What an amazing guy, right?!

Before heading to Palau, I’d gotten in contact with a lady named Yawen. She visited Palau once and loved it so much that she decided to go back there to live. I had planned to meet her at ‘the mall’. Koror is so small that everyone knows that ‘the mall’ means the WCTC Shopping Centre. Yawen had been able to borrow her work van to drive me around for the day.

Driving in the Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau

There are a few quirky things about driving in Palau. Firstly, they drive righthand drive cars, mainly imported from Japan, on the righthand side of the road. While it felt super weird to be sitting on the ‘driver’s side’ as a passenger, it didn’t really feel unsafe as the maximum speed limit in Palau is 40km/h. Plus the roads are quite wide with great visibility.

K in Motion Travel Blog. The Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau. Clear Road Ahead

Due to the size of the islands of Palau, there aren’t many roads. This is illustrated quite amusingly by the directions given by the Belau National Museum on their website.

“From the Palau Community College, follow the Belau National Museum signs uphill toward Koror Elementary School and continue beyond the school until you reach the museum”

If you don’t need to use street names in your directions then you obviously don’t have many streets, right?

Belau National Museum in the Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau

Yawen thought that the museum might be an interesting place for me to see, so we headed there. It was unfortunately closed for the day. By mid-afternoon! The gift shop was still open though. It had some interesting artifacts for sale.

K In Motion Travel Blog. The Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau. Interesting Carving

You wouldn’t believe how many questions I had after seeing this. So many! But I figured it was better to just keep looking around. I eventually found this interesting sign that explains how the Palauan flag came to be.

K in Motion Travel Blog. The Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau. Story of the Palau Flag

The gift shop lady had let us in as she was getting ready to close, so we got back on the road and headed towards a waterfall!

The Tallest Waterfall in The Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau

As the tallest waterfall in not only Palau, but also Micronesia, the Ngardmau Waterfall is a bit of a local icon. The waterfall is named after the Palauan state in which it is located and has an interesting origin story.

Local legend tells us that the waterfall was created by a spirit that took the form of an eel. The spirit laid down on a cliff and fell into a deep slumber that it couldn’t wake from. Its body became a river and its head became the waterfall.

K in Motion Travel Blog. The Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau. River on the Hike to Ngardmau Waterfall

Getting to the Ngardmau Waterfall in the Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau

After paying the exorbitant entry fee of US$10, you pass an historic railway site.
K In Motion Travel Blog. Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau

Before heading down some stairs towards the river.
K in Motion Travel Blog. The Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau. Start of the Trail to Ngardmau Waterfall

First, you’ll hit some rock pools.
K in Motion Travel Blog. The Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau. Rock Pool 1 on the Hike to Ngardmau Waterfall K in Motion Travel Blog. The Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau. Rock Pool 2 on the Hike to Ngardmau Waterfall

Then a mini waterfall.
K in Motion Travel Blog. The Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau. Mini Waterfall on the Way to Ngardmau Waterfall

After that, the trail changes from wide and open to a thin risen boardwalk along the forest floor. Eventually, the boardwalk disappears and you’re walking on a narrow forest trail.
K in Motion Travel Blog. The Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau. Forest Boardwalk on the Way to Ngardmau Waterfall K in Motion Travel Blog. The Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau. Forest Trail on the Way to Ngardmau Waterfall

Then a losely formed trail of logs appears until you hit a bridge across the river.
K in Motion Travel Blog. The Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau. Log Forest Trail on the Way to the Ngardmau Waterfall K in Motion Travel Blog. The Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau. Bridge Before the Ngardmau Waterfall

That’s when you know you’ve finally made it.
K in Motion Travel Blog. The Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau. Ngardmau Waterfall

The Ngardmau Waterfall is known for its rainbows. There was a rainbow clearly visible at the time I was there, but the camera didn’t see it so well. If you look really hard at the centre of the picture, you may be able to spot part of it.

K In Motion Travel Blog. Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau

Or perhaps you can see the little rainbow in the bottom lefthand corner of this one.

Back to Town in the Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau

It was getting late and Yawen had to get the van back to her work, so after the little hike, we drove back to ‘the mall’ where I met Lamz.

K in Motion Travel Blog. The Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau. Sunset on the Way Back

By the time we got there it was dark so Lamz just took me back to my accommodation. We chatted there for a while until it was time for bed. Lamz came back to pick me up the next day around my check out time. To my surprise, he had bought some food for me! He was worried that I hadn’t eaten enough and refused to take any money for it. Such a caring soul. Meeting people like Lamz is what makes travel so amazing!

K In Motion Travel Blog. Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau. Palauan Flag

Lamz took me on a little drive around town then grabbed me a small Palauan flag for my collection, before taking me to the airport for my flight back home. If I didn’t think so before, I definitely would’ve left Palau thinking that islanders are the most awesome people in the world.

Check out our other Oceania posts:
Friendliness and Festivities in Fiji
Tantalisingly Tropical Tonga
American Samoa
Surprising Samoa
The Captivating Cook Islands
New Caledonia
Discover the Real Vanuatu
Papua New Guinea
Solomon Islands
The Untouched Pacific Paradise of Palau

————————————————————————————————————————–

If this article on the untouched pacific paradise of Palau made you feel good, please let your friends know and click the picture you like below to Pin It for later! :o)