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Ok, maybe not the best post about Germany cause it's not really... German!! But I liked it so much that I have to talk about it, specially because Tajikistan is a country you probably never heard of...

Located in Berlin, the tearoom itself is beautiful – dark green, elaborate, and cosy. It’s decorated in a Persian style, with plush carpets and cushions for everybody to sit on the floor. You take your shoes off at the door, and enter for tea. Much like Tajikistan itself, the tearoom is a place where Russian and Persian cultures blend together. You’ll find Persian decor against an old map above the counter displaying Soviet tourist resorts. There’s an oriental tea menu against Russian food selections.

The tearoom was first displayed at the Leipzig fair in the Soviet Pavilion back in 1974, when the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic was part of the Soviet Union. Afterwards, it was given as a gift to the Society for German-Soviet Friendship. It had everything: secrecy, some Eastern Bloc history, tea, and fairytales.  Why I love it: Almost no one knows about this. The perfect place for a little cozy tea on a german winter!!

How to visit:

Is almost opposite to the Arthouse Tacheles, hidden on the left in the courtyard (im KunstHof). phone: +49 (030) 204 11 12

Happy journeys in Germany!

Moldova is that Europe country almost no one knows about cause it's not touristic at all. That's what made me search a little bit more, and, althought it's Communist past and scars are all around the country, I still found this beautiful place in Chisinau. There is something quite unique about the Russian architectural style... The onion-shaped domes, the use of vibrant colours on rooftops that make them pop in contrast to the pale blue sky, and the distinctly old-school design – all that and more makes Russian architecture striking, bold and awe-inspiring.  

Ciuflea Monastery is not known just because it is located in the heart of Chisinau. Here, the monks and priests are casting the demons out of the people! For example, if you or your closest one have anxiety and experience mood changes, you may have an issue with the demons!

How to visit: 

It's pretty simple. Visit the city and you encounter it on the city center. There's a beautiful park nearby too, perfect for a picnic!!   

For guided tours about Moldova monasteries check this link:

https://www.viator.com/searchResults/all?text=ciuflea%20monastery%20moldova&destId=  

Happy journeys in Moldova!

Between 11am and 1pm on a sunny calm day, the strongest rays of the sun passing through an underwater opening illuminate the cave with a luminous blue light while objects beneath the surface shimmer in silver and pink. The effect is eerie and unearthly especially if you're lucky enough to see it when the cave is uncrowded which it certainly won't be if you come in July and August.

In fact, the Blue Cave has become a victim of serious overcrowding in the summer. The words "tourist trap" spring to mind on summer days when thousands of visitors wait in lines of up to three hours to spend about five minutes in the cave. I recommend against visiting in high season at all but if you must come, make sure to get there as early as possible and definitely no later than 10am. The cave will be less radiant but still beautiful and much calmer. 

Biševo island is one of the remotest Croatian islands,  located about 4.5 nautical miles from Komiža, the town and the port on the southern shores of Vis island, and the island is very small – it covers the area of just under 6 square kilometres, with a population of just 12 permanent inhabitants. Conveniently connected with daily ferry boat line with Komiža.

How to visit: 

I must warn you that you will encounter big lines, have to pay 10 euros to enter and then you can stay for like 5 minutes. Is it worth it? You decide. But, if you have a boat, you cannot take your own boat there. You have to go in a private boat. Or take a tour with more people!! You can also visit another beautiful similar cave nearby but less wel known, the Medvidova Spilja.

For tours check this link:

https://www.viator.com/searchResults/all?text=blue%20cave%20of%20bisevo&destId=

Happy journeys in Croatia!

There's a place in Poland where nature defyes all odds and let us think that maybe, plants can communicate better beetwen themselves than what we think they can.

The Crooked Forest is located outside Nowe Czarnkowo in the West Pomerania and it consists of 400 pines planted there around 1930 when the area was a German territory. The trees of the Crooked Forest all bend in a peculiar C-shape. The deep bow is pronounced and extends for several feet before arching back up to the sky. Since all of the trees in the grove are similarly formed, they were likely a product of human intervention!!

It is generally believed that the pines were formed this way by some tools or planting techniques, but the motive of such actions is still unknown. Another theory states that the forest looks like that because of the tanks rolling over the young trees during the Second World War which forced them to grow in a less conventional way. Some people also believe that the woods were grown like that on purpose, created by the Compass Timbers (which are used in shipbuilding). Finally, some people believe that the place is hunted and is a result of dark powers bending the trees.

How to visit:

The Crooked Forest isn’t easy to get to, but those who want to experience something truly unique should make the trip. 

If you want to check out these twisted treasures for yourself, you’ll have to head to the town of Gryfino in Poland’s Pomerania province. Gryfino is a small, quaint village with a few historic sites to check out, including the Banska Gate, which once defended the town from its enemies. The real draw is, of course, the Crooked Forest, and fortunately, it’s just a few minutes away from Gryfino proper.

The town has no airport, so you’ll have to fly into Poznan and make the 3-hour train journey to Gryfino. From Gryfino, you have a few options: Either take a 10-minute bus ride to the forest, use a taxi service, or jump in an Uber if one is available. Alternatively, you could rent a car, but you’d be better off doing that in Poznan and taking your time getting to Gryfino. The northern Polish countryside in Pomerania is stunning, and you can take a detour to the lovely towns of Torun and Stargard (formerly Stargard Szczecinski).

If you're more of a tour person, check this link:

https://www.toursbylocals.com/szczecincrookedforestnatureprivatetour

Happy journeys in Poland!!

Algeria is one of the most underrated places in the world in my opinion. There, you can visit great cities, amazing unique landscapes and it's a mix of european colonialism, with arab and africa culture, a mix almost crazy as Egypt, the neighbour. Today we will talk about some cool hot springs.

Hamman Maskhoutine, is also called “bath of the damned” is a thermal complex and commune located in Hammam Debagh, of Guelma Province, Algeria. The dramatic, multicolored travertine walls of the spring have attracted thousands of visitors since the era of the Roman Empire. The bath facilities installed by the Romans at the spring can still be used today. 

A sad story behind the Arabic names of this town when a loval legend in which a man married his sister. As the wedding procession, including the incestuous couple, moved up the valley, a curse caused the skies to darken, and the whole wedding party was struck with lightning and turned into stone. Thus, the billowing shapes of the Hammam Maskhoutine spring are believed to come from the still-frozen wedding party and their celebratory robes. In spite of this horrific story the area around Hammam Meskhoutine is peaceful, pastoral and green. These springs have been well known since the antiquity, thus around 6 km long distance along the right bank of Chédakha River are scattered numerous thermal springs.

 

How to visit:   

 

The best way to visit this is to spend a little time in Guelma city.

See here how will you go from Algier to Guelma:  

https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Algiers/Guelma 

 

And if you prefer a tour:

https://www.tripadvisor.pt/AttractionProductReview-g293718-d19369255-Thermal_Tourism_By_Ouirane_Tours_Algeria-Algiers_Algiers_Province.html

 

Happy journeys in Algeria!

One of the most famous cities in the world for it's magic blue color!! Chefchaouen is much smaller than larger cities such as Tangier making it a popular stop for off the beaten path types of tourists, and also enjoys a reputation as being one of the safest cities in Morocco.

It was a safe haven for Jewish people fleeing Spain in the 1400s and again in the 1940s. The Jewish people came from Spain to Morocco and set up in the Rif mountains in Chefchaouen. At first, they were hiding from the Portuguese on the 15th Century, when it was built around a fortress used to defend inhabitants against Portuguese invaders. But later as you can guess it was Hitler. It was painted blue by the Jews. Some say it was because it was a reminder of their faith of the heavens and skies. Theories also suggest it keeps away mosquitos. Like other all blue cities in India, it's said the blue brings the desert temperature down.

How to visit:

You can wander around this instagramable city, visit the Spanish mosque, watch the sunrise and the sunset from a rooftop or on the top of the hills nearby. You can also go to some street markets that are famous in this country, and visit the Kasbah museum: an old Moroccan fort. This building has served many purposes through the ages, most notably a prison, and now it is an ethnographic museum and art gallery.

Chefchaouen is also very popular with those looking for a destination designed for backpackers not only because of its excellent northern location, but because there are many different cheap hostels and small cheap hotels.  

If you have time, I would suggest renting a car and going around morrocco, maybe spending 3 days here in order to see everything. You also can find tours from other main cities and even from Spain! I also have to mention this is a cat city so, if you love cats, make sure to go here cause there's plenty of them.

Happy journeys in Morrocco!

This is your dream hotel. In the middle of Africa, you have this accomodation when you share your bed and breakfast with Giraffes. Yes, that's right, cute beautiful amazing giraffes everythere you look!! It's a brick-and-ivy-clad manor house in Langata, the extremely convenient and leafy suburb of Nairobi that’s close to the city’s international airport and bustling centre. The Manor features grand oversized fireplaces, giant oil paintings, and landscaped gardens. There are twelve bedrooms – two superior suites, eight superior rooms, and two standard rooms. 

The special thing about this is that they are trying to conservate an endangered species, the

Rothschild giraffe. The fact that there were only 1 669 of them in the wild in 2016 makes them the most endangered giraffe species in the world!!

 

How to visit: 

You can only visit if you stay at the hotel.

Safari Collection, owners of Giraffe Manor and other superb properties including Sala’s Camp and Sasaab Lodge, have priced the experience at a minimum of US$620 per person per night*, a rate that’s all inclusive. Although this might well be more than some travellers would usually pay for a single night in a hotel room, guests will come away with outstanding photographs, unforgettable memories of a very special wildlife encounter, and the knowledge that they’ve helped contribute to the conversation of an endangered species - today, thanks to a successful breeding programme and the establishment of the Giraffe Centre nearby, there are more than 300 Rothschild giraffes safe and thriving in various Kenyan national parks.

The Giraffe Sanctuary on property is a must-visit, as well as the nearby David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust — a haven for elephant and rhinos orphans.

In addition to activities around the property, Giraffe Manor creates customized itineraries for each guest. It organizes everything from horseback tours to hot-air balloon rides to camel treks to visits in local villages where you can learn about the native culture.

Book your experience here: 

https://www.thesafaricollection.com/properties/giraffe-manor/

Happy journeys in Kenya!

This is a beautiful national park in the Northern Red Sea Region of Eritrea. The park is flourishing with wildlife and there are an estimated 325 different species of fish in the waters surrounding the region. Many of the uninhabited islands have become nesting areas for large numbers of seabirds due to their isolated nature and rich feeding grounds in the surrounding area. Apart from the wildlife, there is a small population of 2,500 people that live on 4 of the islands. These people maintain their traditional lifestyle of herding goats and camels, as well as fishing. 

This string of islands is ideal for pearl fishing and scuba diving. Eritrea tourism takes scuba enthusiasts and novices to some of the best spots such as Desie, Durgella, Kundubul and many others. Over 300 fish species are said to inhabit the Red Sea, which is a dream for divers.

The Russians left an old marine base by the name of Nokra as a bequest from their occupation of Eritrea during the war of independence. Deliberate destruction on their departure left many wrecks in the ocean near this base and Dahlak Kebir, which have attracted different coral growths and a various fish life for divers to enjoy.

Some islands are home to mangrove trees and coral reefs where divers can come across both dolphins and sharks in the warm waters of the Red Sea. Dugongs, turtles and shipwrecks provide further points of interest along the archipelago. Overall, Eritrea tourism provides divers with an adventure they will want to return to again and again.

Pristine beaches, yachting, different water sports, sport fishing and swimming are additional activities that Eritrea tourists can embrace on their trip to this small but beautiful country. Chartered yachts are one more pleasure that visitors can look forward to during their stay in Eritrea.

How to visit:

A very few information is on the internet about visit on your own, it only says you need a special permition (maybe because it's a national park... I don't know). That's why it makes the perfect fit for one of my bucketlist places in Africa. If there's a little information, that means almost no one goes there!! Perfect for me. 

When you enter in the world of this kind of countries, I recommend tours if you're not comfortable at all to go on your own. Here is an example:

https://www.africatouroperators.org/eritrea/dahlak-marine-national-park

Happy journeys in Eritrea!

Next to Egypt, Tunisia and Argelia, this country stays in the shadow of his neighbours tourism, but it still has amazing sights to explore, like the old town of Ghadames, right in the triangle border with Tunisia and Argelia. 

Ghadamès, known as 'the pearl of the desert', stands in an oasis. It has aound 7 mil habitants (berberes and tuarengues), and the old part of the city is Unesco's world heritage. Today, the habitants live in their new homes nearby but in summer they return to the town because the traditional architecture is better to stand the huge heat.

It is  Lybia's Sahara capital, and one of the oldest pre-Saharan cities and an outstanding example of a traditional settlement. Its domestic architecture is characterized by a vertical division of functions: the ground floor used to store supplies; then another floor for the family, overhanging covered alleys that create what is almost an underground network of passageways; and, at the top, open-air terraces reserved for the women.

How to visit:

If you're on your own - Ghadames is 611km south of the capital Tripoli. There are buses coming from Nalut, which is connected to Tripoli. The bus however may refuse you as a foreigner due to security concerns. I highly recommend not using the bus for this same reasons, you have a hight chance to be kidnaped, but you decide what's best for you. The best and safest way to Ghadames is to fly. Libyan Air offers several flights a week which take just over an hour and $150.

Ghadames Old City consists of around 1600 buildings, which include 1250 houses, 21 mosques and 17 religious colleges. You can see Bab al-Burr (the main gate), Ghadames Old City Heritage Homes (There are roughly ten heritage homes open to foreigners and they have been kept in the exact original state), the Omran and Yunnis Mosque, the Tayibiyeh Sufi School, and gardens and public wells (here kids come for a swim in the palm tree reservoirs and colourfully dressed women carry water atop their heads).

If you're more of a tour person: 

1 - https://www.temehu.com/tours/ancient_berber.htm

2 - http://www.sherwestravel.com/travellibya.asp?page=0&sub=46_CLASSICAL%20TOUR.%207%20DAYS%20AMAZING%20TOUR.%20Book%20now!

Happy journeys in Lybia!