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Hiking Around Borsa in Rodna Mountain National Park, Romania
Borsa is a small ski resort and tourist complex in the Maramures area of Romania, altitude 850-1550 Meters/2,788-5,085 Feet, and the main entry into the Rodna Mountains. Rodna/Rodnei Mountain National...
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A Short Visit to Campulung Moldovenesc in Bucovina
Leaving ill-fated and “washed out” Borsa behind, the bus continued into the Bucovina area with a stop along the way in Campulung Moldovenesc to buy lunch makings. I am embarrassed by how many attempts...
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The Painted Monastery of Moldovita in Romania
Bucovina is a tourist magnet for Painted Monasteries in northeast Romania. These medieval monasteries were founded during the reign of Prince Stephen the Great (1457-1504) and his successors. But...
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An Excellent Hotel near Sucevita: Popas Turistic Bucovina
Steve and I have toured with Explore Worldwide on at least 18-20 trips (I’ve lost count). Two- and three-star hotels, small pensions, and guesthouses are the norm; all very clean, adequate and/or...
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Hiking from Sucevita to Putna Monastery in Romania
Would you believe the sun was shining today? Hallelujah! A good thing since a 4-5 hour hike was scheduled from Sucevita to Putna Monastery. Marinel drove the Explore Worldwide group a short distance...
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Tourists Can Photograph Inside Putna Painted Monastery, Romania
Putna Monastery, founded in 1466, was the first painted monastery to be built by Prince Stephen the Great (arguably the greatest of all Romania’s rulers) and the oldest in Bucovina. Stephen the Great...
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Traveling Into Romania’s Danube Delta
Two last days in Romania would be spent on the Danube Delta; a mecca for birders (which Steve and I are not) who come to see migrating birds that come from as far away as China and Africa. The Delta...
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Danube Delta Cruises Begin and End in Tulcea, Romania
Located at the tip of the three channels, Tulcea makes a great starting point for exploring the Delta; an intricate network of waterways and lakes divided between three main estuary channels. This...
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Villages and Castles Romania Tour Ended in Bucharest
The tour ended where it began, in Bucharest. Arriving in late afternoon from Tulcea, Cristi stopped at what was, and is still referred to as, the “People’s Palace.” This gigantic Parliamental Palace...
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Review of Shenzhen Luohu Holiday Inn Express, China
I selected the Holiday Inn Express Shenzhen Luohu for its rock bottom prices (around $60 US a night including breakfast) and because this hotel chain is always good value for the money. It didn’t hurt...
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L’Austral Iceland Cruise Day 3: On the Snæfellsnes Peninsula – Budir
L’Austral docked in Grundarfjorour/Grundarfjordur (pop: 974), a small town situated on the North Snæfellsnes Peninsula in West Iceland. Once a French settlement in the 1800s, fishing villas hug the...
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L’Austral Iceland Cruise Day 3: On the Snæfellsnes Peninsula – Bardur the Troll
Bardur the Troll is the deity of Mt. Snaefell. There is an entire Bardar/Bardur Saga about this mythological person, who was half man and half troll. He is said to have walked ashore at Djupalon,...
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L’Austral Iceland Cruise Day 3: On the Snæfellsnes Peninsula –...
Last tour of the day was a walk down to the black stone beach of Djupalonssandur; one of the few areas that lead to the sea along the dramatic coast. Guide Lisa and local guide gave many cautions...
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A Mish-Mosh of Iceland and L’Austral Trivia
– The original Tauck Tours itinerary said the cruise would include a drive to Mt. Snaefell. Wrong, and I was disappointed because Snaefell volcano was made famous by Jules Verne in his epic Journey to...
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L’Austral Iceland Cruise Day 4: Puffins and Arctic Terns on Grimsey Island
Approximately 3 square mile Grimsey Island is the northernmost inhabited island (pop: 100) of Iceland and is located about 40 kilometers/25 miles off Iceland’s coast. Grimsey inhabitants base their...
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L’Austral Iceland Cruise Day 4: Walk Across the Arctic Circle on Grimsey Island
Passengers on L’Austral were tendered in to Grimsey Island and tenders would run every 15 minutes until the ship sailed for Akureyi, the next port of call. (Each tender holds 60 people.) Grimsey...
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L’Austral Iceland Cruise Day 4: Beautiful and Lively Akureyri in North Iceland
L’Austral cruise ship sailed from Grimsey Island to Akureyri (pronounced ah-coo-rare-ee), docking at around 5:30p which gave passengers some time to walk into town. It was interesting that the...
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L’Austral Iceland Cruise Day 5: Volcanic Lake Myvatn Hverir Hot Springs
Note: Akureyri is known for its whale watching and if I ever return, that’s what I am going to do. The best spot is in the Eyjafjordur fjord area and common sightings are the Humpback Whale, Minke...
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L’Austral Iceland Cruise Day 5: Lake Myvatn Pseudo Craters
After visiting the famous mud pots of Hverir, the day tour off the L’Austral continued circling Lake Myvatn on the Ring Road. The next stop was the unpronounceable Skutustadagigar Pseudo Craters or...
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L’Austral Iceland Cruise Day 5: Lake Myvatn Dimmuborgir Lava Formations
Dimmuborgir means “dark forts” in Icelandic and this area along the East shore is filled with volcanic arches, pillars, caves and bridges, some as high as 20 meters/65 feet. The black lava formations...
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