Travel in Italy

To begin with let’ s start our trip travellers!  Travel in Italy is probably on the top of the travellers’ bucketlists all over the world! Why is Italy so popular among travellers? What makes Italy stand out? Its history, its architecture, its finesse, its food… or alltogether? Everything in Italy is about classy stylish italian vibes! We love travelling in Italy beacuse its easy, its affordale for all types of travellers, itsboth colourful and authentic at the same time and there are numerous cities one can visit.

Travel in Italy tips

Generally speaking let’ s see some tips and advice:

• Try the famous Italian food whether its for a pizza or a fancy restaurant (pizzas and pasta everywhere)
• Enjoy esspresso shots like an italian
• Drink some fine aperol spritz and other italian aperitivos
• Search for the happy hour in the more hipster areas of each district
• Learn some Italian words, they will definetly appreciate it
• Visit more than one city a time coz they are located closely enough even for day trips
• Use the automated luggage storage lockers while transiting in Italy
• Use trains for a more low budget trip
• Rent a car to travel Italy from north to south

When in Italy… do as an Italian!

How to travel Italy by car – Rent a car or not?

Given these points what about using a car for your travel in Italy. The easiest way to travel in Italy is to explore the whole country from north to south or via versa by renting a car. It is an easy process since it is a very touristic country, really friendly to tourists. The options are many but of course we will recommend that you rent from an internationally recognized car company. Important notice before each car rental, read the fine print and check the car thoroughly before picking it up looking up for any damage.

Finally keep in mind that in some areas it is not advisable to travel by car such as the Cinque Terre area, for example (in our italian riviera blog post we share all info about how to move by train there), but it is certainly the ideal way if you want to visit many italian cities in a few days.

Travel Italy packages

Although Italy is considered and not unfairly an expensive country for the tourists, there is a wide variety of travel packages on the internet. Great competition means fairly low prices. What we want to tell you is that with a good search you will definitely find a cheap package either it is for a group trip or a personalised trip made specially for you. The good thing about travel packages is that you save yourself time and effort especially if you are not yet a very experienced traveler. Prices vary and naturally they depend on the type of traveler you are. Certainly a luxury trip to Porto Fino with central lodge at the coast costs much more than staying outside the Cinque Terre area for example in La Spezia.

For accommodation options do your search here!

Is it safe to travel to Italy?

So, what about safety? Travel to Italy is always a safe choice as we are talking about an extrelmely touristic country. Although travelling there is totally safe in general, always check for any travel advice and guidelines by local and international authorities especially in case like the unlike event of something bad is happening as the whole Covid 19 thing that is all aorund. So besides these kind of precautions and restrictions travel to Italy is totally safe!

Italy Cities you must visit and places to see in Italy

Here you will find many useful information about sightseeing, travel and lodging in Italy in details. As a matter of fact just click below on our posts of the following cities – regions of Italy that are the most frequent choices for a travel to Italy.  Find the perfect stay and read everything you need to know before your trip to:

• Rome the eternal city  for your stay in Rome click here!

• Milan 3 days for your stay in Milan click here!

• Milan 24 hours

• Cinque Terre the italian riviera for your stay in Cinque Terre click here here!

• Venice 48 hours For your stay in Venice click here!

• Pisa and the leaning tower for your stay in Pisa click here!

• Genoa City break  for your stay in Genoa click here here!

Venice

Map of Italy – cities Genoa and Milan

In addition to the search you will do via google maps we have prepared two google earth maps for the following cities before your travel to Italy with all the attractions you need to see and in the order that it is best for you! See here the map of the sights:

• Genoa google earth map all you need to see before you travel to Italy
• Milan google earth map all you need to see before you travel to Italy

To sum up this was our little italian adventure, we trully hope all this travel advice and guide will make your dream trip to Italy come true in the best way! Would love to hear your feedback!

Ciao!

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About Tanzania

Tanzania is a  a destination that excites us all but remains quite unknown to most of us so we hope with this blog post the iinerary and all other related blog posts will guide you and orientate you quite a bit in the planning of the trip!

Tanzania, officially the United Republic of Tanzania, is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. It borders Uganda to the north; Kenya to the northeast; Comoro Islands and the Indian Ocean to the east; Mozambique and Malawi to the south; Zambia to the southwest; and Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, is in northeastern Tanzania.

Zanzibar, the exotic island of Tanzania (or maybe not?)

Zanzibar is a rising travel destination, beloved for wedding trips and kite surfing lovers is truly a heaven on earth. Blue waters and all-white sand an unparalleled beauty scenery which contrasts in a strange and awkward way to the hard lives of the inhabitants of the island and the living conditions which  are really bad. Our feelings about the exotic Zanzibar island are mixed. If you re intrested to learn more about zanzibar island read our blog post!

What to do in Tanzania

There are many choices, among them: hiking Kilimanjaro, safari game drive at national parks, adventure in cities and villages, exotic Zanzibar, visit a village of Maasai, volunteering etc. Read three different itinerary options we recommend in our blog post depending on the time you have and your interests and create your journey from scratch!

Safari game drive in Tanzania’s National Parks

For our safari game driving experience we can write countless blog posts but we still will not be able to transfer you all of our feelings about the greatness of nature as we experienced it! What we’re going to tell you is that it’s a unique experience with absolute respect to nature and animals! Read in detail our thoughts, advice and everything about the national parks we chose to explore.

How to move in Tanzania

Tanzania is a huge country where travel is an issue that concerns us all quite specifically if you want to explore it like a lot…! Our options are as follows:

Plane

With several international airports and even more local ones it is very easy to reachable from the south to the north of the country within one hour or less! Air Companies like Air Tanzania, Precision Air  offer tickets from $50 per route e.g. from Dar El Salam to Kilimanjaro. Book your tickets online!

Bus

The bus is also a very widespread means of transport and you can easily reach for $20 and more from Dar El Salam to Arusha with companies such as Dar express. Book your tickets online!

Train

Train we didn’t try but there’s definitely one for some long asting adventures throughout the country! There’s an info page on internet, but to book your tickets you have to go to the station!

Ship

You’ll need to take a boat if you don’t choose the plane to go from the mainland to Zanzibar and back! Calculate from $35 and above for this specific route and be informed about the routes because they are limited per day.

Dala dala & Tuk tuk

Local minivans often open from top and back  can be found everywhere around the country and move affordably but not comfortably. There are dala dala stations but you can easily catch them both on the roa, just raise your hand and they will stop! Tuk tuk the classics and favorite known tricycles from Southeast Asia!

What to pack for a trip to Tanzania? – Travel Packing List for a trip to Tanzania

First of all, let us give you a really important piece of advice! Don’t go To Zanania with a suitcase, it’s only convenient for the backpack unless you’re comfortable enough and luxurious travelling  with private transfers! Check out our travel packing list for a trip to Tanzania that lasts two weeks, including camping, sea, hiking etc. You will find a useful travel packing list in our relevant blog post!

How much does a trip to Tanzania cost?

As you may understand the cost is indicative because it depends on the way you travel, the days of the trip and the type of traveller you are. There is room for everyone of course and we do not criticize any type of traveler just in case keep in mind that the prices below refer to “low to medium” budget backpacking trip (which means that the cost goes even lower). The cost is per person.

• Flights from Brussels with Turkish airlines and luggage 32 kg 350€
• Safari 5 days (including food lunch, breakfast entrances to the National Parks transfers and camping accommodation) $900 (prices vary depending on the choices and company)
• Food $10-15 per person a day with a beer (not for the safari days)
• Accommodation starts at $20 (we don’t recommend it), calculate at least $30 for a relatively comfortable stay (usually with a shared bathroom)
• Other transfers and entrances, e.g. in the waterfall areas you need to pay a small fee, also  if planning on taking a national flight calculate $50-70 a flight, bus $20 for long journeys, ship to Zanzibar 35-50 dollars. The local dala dala costs little, 500-2000 Tanzanian shillings which is less than 1.5€
• If anyone hikes Kilimanjaro, for example, a climb will cost you up from 250 usd to $5000.
• For souvenirs you will spend less. We preferred the masai market in Arusha and the locals in Zanzibar.
• Tips calculate a small amount
• Visa $50 (online)

Useful information

1. A visa is issued electronically prior to arrival in Tanzania and also applies to Zanzibar. If you are going to volunteer you may need to ask any further obligations.
2. We made local change at Kilimanjaro airport for the whole trip.
3. Internet card can be found almost everywhere eg at the airport and at local markets in obvious places.

Is a trip to Tanzania safe?

With absolute certainty our answer is yes! We didn’t feel not even for a second uncomfortable or dangerous at any point of our trip both in a city or a village we were visiting. People were everywhere kind and ready to help if needed!

Ngorongoro crater vista point

Useful words for your arrival in Tanzania

Mambo
Jambo
Poa
Karibu
Asante

Travel and volunteering

Did you know you could combine a trip with volunteering? How with very little money you will get back a lot richer than you started? In Tanzania there are wonderful projects both held by Greek organizations and by foreign ones, you can help on your own, of course, either by physical presence or through others! Sometimes you can even exchange your services for free accommodation (e.g. if you are a web developer you can build a website for a school so that they will be able to accept shipments and funding directly from interested parties). Read ways and information about volunteering in Tanzania in our blog post and proceed to do some practicing and undo the comfort of your everyday life! This time for Africa…

Karibu!

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Few words about Pakt’s new project

Pakt Travel Backpack features

The features of The Pakt Travel Backpack that make it stand out from the rest ones is that The Pakt Travel Backpack offers:

1. Organization and packability of a suit case. It has a lay-flat dual compartment with zip-around construction for easy packing. That makes it great for the organization of clothing, cause it opens down in the middle.

2. Pockets – pockets – pockets. You can find several different places to organize your staff in an easy and convenient way.

• • Pockets for small items and staff of the go
  • A secret pocket for important documents and cash.
  • Pocket for security checkpoints, where you can pack you staff, as easy as possible, than putting them in the security airport plastic beans.
  • Water bottle pocket
  • Stripes to secure all type of items in different locations on the exterior of the bag. There we put the tripod of our camera.
  • There is a protected place to put the lap top, that is quickly  accessible from the top of the bag, without opening the entire bag.
  • Top loading waterproof section for anything wet. In our trips we change a lot of places every time, so some times some of our clothes are wet and we have to carry on our trip. It is very convenient for us.

3. It is not only a full feature travel bag, but can be used as a trekking bag. There are shoulder straps that can easily be removed, sternum straps and hip belt.

4. You can also easily transform the hip belt into a sling or fanny pack to explore destinations in comfort.

5. It is waterproof so you can travel in any weather condition.

6. It combines airliner carry on compatibility standards and packing capacity.

7. It’ s being designed by the bag expert Chase Reeves! 

8. The environmentally conscious philosophy behind its design and the material it’s made out of recycled plastic bottles (all Pakt product packaging is 100% plastic free as well).

PAKT TRAVEL BACKPACK

Where to buy The Pakt Travel Backpack?

Pre – orders for The Pakt Travel Backpack is now live! Pre – order nowfor up to 40% off the retail price ($295) while supplies last! The earlier you order, the better the discount! Choose from either black or green. Ships to the U.S. & Worldwide.

Order now!

Conclusion

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Driving in Iceland

• The road network is in a good condition throughout the country.
• The driving is done from the right side of the road and at the roundabouts priority has the one that moves within the node.
• The streets near Reykjavik are usually with more than one lane per direction, while in the rest network it is mostly with one, without an emergency lane.
• Gas stations can be found in residential areas, so pay attention to secluded areas when traveling to north.
• The gas filling in the car is automatic and the payment is made mainly by credit-debit card.
• The outside cities speed limit is 90 miles an hour.

1. Do not stop outside demarcated parking!

During the journey you will come across beautiful landscapes that will make you wanna stop for short stops and take photographs. This needs special attention!! It has been common that tourists stop on the side of the road for photographing by putting themselves at risk from the passing cars and trucks. There are parking areas that can comfortably let you admire the scenery and rest safely simultaneously.

2. Night driving – weather condition

In most parts of the network there is no night lighting so you need to pay attention if you plan to drive during night or dark hours. Also because of the difficult weather conditions which are constantly changing it would be good to check the condition of the road network you are going to use. An easy way is by clicking here.

3. Is it necessary to rent a 4X4?

It is common for tourists to rent SUV-type vehicles with 2 or 4 wheel driving system. In addition to the comfort that they probably offer in terms of space and convenience, it is not necessary to rent one, since all known points of interest are accessible to all types of cars (Roads category F). Off road driving that is advantageous to an SUV-type car is prohibited anyway  so… Also the car rentals ensure that they wear suitable tires on all vehicles so that they can move in snow weather as well.

4. Beware the doors of the car!

In Iceland there are strong winds, so beware when you park. Be sure to park the vehicle against the wind, it may be difficult to open the door, but you will avoid injuries to you and damages to the car.

5. Do I need to pay tolls?

In the road network you will not find any toll points except one. It is the Vadlaheidi tunnel located near the northern town of Akureyri,  where if the weather is not good enoigh, we definitely advise you to pass through. In case you decide to pass the tunnel, see the instructions here, so that you can get a code and be charged during your transit with a smaller amount. We paid 1,500 ISK, while if it was paid by the rental office we would be charged 4,500 ISK.

iceland

6. How do I pass bridges?

Usually bridges are with one strip for both directions, so need to pay attention here too. Reduce speed when approaching them and if you see a car coming from the opposite side, stop and arrange who will pass first. Icelanders are a very polite people and usually provide the tourists priority.

Driving in Iceland is relatively safe and enjoyable, as long as you pay attention to the points we analyzed above. By driving you will discover beautiful destinations and taste a different travel experience. Beware, drive responsibly and enjoy!

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A few words about Reykjavik

Its name means ‘ The Smoke Cove ‘, as the suffix ‘ Vic ‘ means a cove. Located along the coast of Iceland, Reykjavik is the capital and largest city in the country. One of the smallest cities in Europe, Reykjavik is also the northernmost capital of the world and is the government, economic and cultural hub of the country. Reykjavik is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean with shoreline trails stretching around the entire peninsula. There are many beautiful places to stop and admire the scenery on these coastal paths, which are very popular with cyclists, one of the most photographed spots is the impressive Sun Voyager-a huge steel sculpture that may resemble a Viking ship, but in fact, a dream ship and an ode to the sun.

All you need to see in Reykjavik

The following route is the one that we followed and we highly recommend it both in terms of time and convenience for your one-day staying there.

1.     Hallgrímskirkja church  (Tower admission: Adults: ISK1000 – 7.5 EU / Children: ISK 100 (ages 7-16)  Opening hours: Winter (October – April): 09:00 – 17:00, tower closes 16:30.  Summer (May – September): 09:00 – 21:00, tower closes 20:30)

2.     Leifur Eriksson Statue

3.     Skólavörðustígur (Laugavegur the colourful street that leads to the church with boutiques, souvenirs, food, cafes)

4.     The Icelandic Punk Museum (Admission:1400 ISK  Opening Hours: Until 1st of Dec 2019 10:00 – 21:00 weekdays /  12:00 – 21:00 weekends  From 1st of Dec 2019 until 1st of Feb 2020 / 12:00 – 20:00 every day – δεν μπήκαμε προσωπικά)

5.     Monument to the Unknown Bureaucrat

6.     Harpa Concert and Conference Cente (with clean public toilets inside it)

7.     Þúfa Iconic art installation

8.     Sun voyager

9.     Icelandic Phallological Museum (Opening Hours: 10am-6pm, from 9am Jun-Aug  Priceadult/child 1500kr/free – 10 EU

10.  Food Hlemmur Mathöll market  or Icelandic street food (try local fish soup)

All kind of food for all kind of people

• For more Icelandic food options read our post here
• For the coffee lovers Café Roasters
• For the Bar crawlers Laugavegur (Bravo, Lebowski)
• For souvenirs Laugavegur street or airport (some souvenirs are cheaper there)

More points of interest and attractions

• Old Reykjavík and lake Tjörnin
• Imagine Peace Tower on Viðey Island
• Perlan Opening hours: Daily: 09:00-19:00  Price: Adults 3.990 ISK  30 EU
• Austurvöllur square
• The settlement exhibition
• National Museum of Iceland
• National gallery of Iceland
• Leifur Eriksson Statue
• National Museum of Iceland
• Reykjavík Art Museum
• Reykjavík Museum of Photography
• Videy island
• Hofdi House

Where to stay in Reykjavík

For a low on budget accommodation with basic facilities we recommend the following

• Hostel πχ. Reykjavik city HI hostel
• Guesthouse πχ. Pavi
• Apartment airbnb πχ. Bolholt apartments

What impressed us in Reykjavik  the most are its colourful vibes, the pleasant mood of the residents, the woolen knitwear, the delicious fish soup, the unique reflections of the lake and the symbol of world peace in honor of Yoko Ono which is visible from all over the city and is located on a small island called Videy Island! Spend a day at least in the capital of Iceland and then embark on the ultimate adventure on the island of Ice and lava!

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What is Blue Lagoon?

It is a natural lake of geothermal water that has been formed by underground waters which due to the volcanic activity and form of the whole Iceland are flowing and recycled every 40 hours . The lake is natural and its color is due to the reflection of the rays of the sun with the materials that make up the pond as is the Silica.

Two thousand meters within the earth, ocean water and freshwater converge in a tectonic realm of searing heat and extreme pressure, creating geothermal seawater. Drawn to the surface through geothermal extraction wells, the water emerges enriched with silica, algae, and minerals—the bioactive elements that endow this unique fluid with its healing, rejuvenating, nourishing abilities.

A natural wonder of the volcanic earth

Where is the Blue lagoon located?

It is located on the southwest side of Iceland very close to the capital of Reykjavik and the airport of Κeflavic. The beneficial powers of geothermal seawater were first discovered in the early 1980s when local residents began to bathe in the serene blue lagoon that had formed in the lava field beside the Svartsengi Geothermal Resource Park. Some people came to the water for pleasure. Others came for healing. But all who came, left with sensations of profound revitalization.

Why we do love the Blue lagoon?

• For its  purity, and ecological balance of geothermal seawater
• For its wonderful color – The water’s iconic color is a result of the way that silica reflects sunlight
• For the unique experience of making a hot bath at minus degrees with a black sky above us and with rain falling on us
• For the eerie form of it
• For its contrast to the black volcanic attitude of the area
• Because a visit is totally affordable )prices start from 57 euro)
• Because it’s worth it from the first minute till the last one
• Because it is well organized
• Because it’s unique in the world
• It does not give the sense of a touristic place

Silica—composed of silicon and oxygen—is a constituent compound of lava and merges with geothermal seawater in volcanic aquifers deep underground.

Tips for your visit to Blue Lagoon

• Book your tickets before your arrival, especially if you are traveling in summer
• Tickets are sold every hour from 8.00 in the morning but you can sit as long as you want inside
• There are two ticket types with the difference that in the most expensive one they provide bathrobe, slippers and second beverage
• A drink a towel and a mask of Silica is included in the price of a single comfort ticket
• For hours and prices see here, we chose the comfort one and it cost us 85 euro
• Before you enter the lake, take a quick shower
• For your entry to the lake there are two points, discover them both

What to bring with you?

• Summer Slippers
• Swimsuit

What more is provided?

• Showers
• Lockers
• Shower gel
• Hair Cream
• Body Lotion
• Hairdryer
• Swabs
• Bags (e.g. for swimwear)

Is a visit to the Blue Lagoon a must while on a trip in Iceland?

Of course it is! It is a unique and iconic natural formation, in a special country with peculiar nature and you are given the opportunity to pamper yourself with an eerie experience in beautiful clear blue waters of a lake surrounded by a lunar landscape while at the same time all the above is harmonized with the luxurious complex that has been created to make your visit there memorable. Iceland has a plethora of hot springs and lakes both organized and not as is Secret Lagoon (for the rest of them just make sure you are well informed because you need to pay attention with bacteria). The only thing that it is for sure is that this Blue lagoon  geothermal hot spring is a one of its kind!

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Important Information before you plan a trip to Iceland

• In order to avoid struggling with day hours we recommend traveling summer months
• If travelling from October till March it would be probably in order to see the northern lights, just dont be disappointed if that wont happen
• Travelling during Autumn time is perfect for avoiding mass tourist groups as well
• For your transfers in case of a roadtrip you ll definetely have to rent a car, read some useful tips here
• Keep your budget as low as possible by sharing expenses with friends
• The same applies to accommodation, generally it is common to share accommodation
• Keep some ammount of budget for activities (eg Blue lagoon €85 person, Diamond Beach Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon €70 man, Secret Lagoon hot spring (€25 person), Skaftafel hike to Glacier (€60 person 3 hours hike) etc.)

7 Day Ring Road trip itinerary in Iceland

How much does it cost for a roadtrip in Iceland?

As with all trips, a trip in Iceland can be combined with some low budget options, for example Icelandic food options can make your trip less expensive! But what happens with all the rest expenses? Here is our budget analysis on a 2 persons basis.

2 persons on a 7 day roadtrip 1.772 euro :

• 400 euro  airtickets
• 365 euro accommodation
• 5 euro tolls
• 220 euro  car rental (440 euro for a group of 4)
• 122 euro fueling 2.500 kilometers (244 for a group of 4)
• 218 euro food coffee beer
• 427 euro activities experiences
• 15 euro souvenirs

There are always options that can afford us lower budget as long as you are flexible and easy going travellers! Share your transfers, your accommodation, your food etc and you ll see the difference!

Hope you found it interesting reading our personal experience of roadtripping in Iceland, please feel free to visit all posts related to this trip and we ll be more than happy to here any comments or feedback from you! Happy travels to all!

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Jökulsárlón or glacial lagoon

Jökulsárlón is a large glacial lake in southeast Iceland, on the edge of Vatnajökull National Park. Situated at the head of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, it developed into a lake after the glacier started receding from the edge of the Atlantic ocean. The lake has grown since then at varying rates because of melting of the glaciers.

Jökulsárlón has been a setting for Hollywood movies: Die another day, Lara Croft Tomb Raider and Batman Begins!

Next to Jökulsárlón  and after the boat ride you can spend more fun time at the Diamond beach. Diamond beach is a strip of black sand belonging to the greater Breiðamerkursandur glacial plain, located by Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon on the South Coast of Iceland.

This lagoon is a recently formed one, since its the result of climate changing. The surface is at the sea level and sea water flows into the lagoon at high tide. Huge blocks of ice constantly break off the glacier, Breiðamerkurjökull, and large icebergs float on the lagoon. The lagoon is not very wide but it is up to 250 meters deep which makes it the deepest lake in Iceland. Breiðamerkurjökull is an outlet of the Vatnajökull glacier.

AMPHIBIAN BOAT TOUR

The ultimate experience at the Jökulsárlón  Lagoon is of course the Amphibian Boat Tour which allows you to wander in the lagoon between the icebergs and learn interesting facts about their formation and geology. And we re talking about a real amphibian travellers, since you will be able to board on the land and bloom… in just a few minutes you will find yourself within the lagoon! You will get really close to a real iceberg, enjoy the peacefullness of the lagoon and admire nature and its blue colours. If you are lucky enough you ll get the chance to meet seals and moreover you can literally taste a 1000 year old ice.  Unique and exciting experience in unparalleled beauty scenery!

• Perfect for families, friends and large groups of travellers.
• The experience lasts 30-40 minutes.
• Includes an English speaking guide.
• Other languages may be offered upon request.
• Passengers are provided with life jackets.
• Cost 5900 ISK (approx. 42 euros).

To book this activity prior your trip to Iceland click here!

ZODIAC TOUR

For those of you who d love to find themselves just a breath away from an iceberg of the Jokulsarlon Lagoon we recommend you to choose the Zodiac tour! In this tour you ll be able to cover large areas of the lagoon and get closer to the icebergs and the glacier itself. Its a more private tour which takes you as close as possible to both the glacier and the icebergs (if there is no indication of bad weather conditions in the period you will be traveling there) as the zodiac boat is more flexible! Unique and exciting experience in nparalleled beauty scenery!

• Perfect for small groups and couples.
• The experience lasts 60 minutes.
• Includes an English speaking guide.
• Other languages may be offered upon request.
• Passengers are provided with life jackets.
• Cost 10500 ISK (approx. 75 euros).
• The passengers are provided with flotation uniforms.
• Passengers must be 10 years or older or at least 130 centimeters tall

To book this activity prior your trip to Iceland click here!

Glacier lagoon  it is told to be one of the greatest wonders of nature in Iceland.

Our experience with Glacier Lagoon

The Boat tour at Jökulsárlón  Lagoon is once in a lifetime experience and a perfect addition for all travellers in Iceland! We had an amazing experience with Glacier Lagoon which is located right at the lagoon, close to highway number one, about 370 km (230 miles) east from Reykjavík. In case of bad weather conditions you can always have your money back or reschedule the tour, actually thats what we did, due to a windy day! Be agile and feel free to ask the kind staff on the field who is always there willing to help you out! So dear travellers, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the extraordinary boat tour and view of Jökulsárlón  Lagoon, a real wonder of nature!

The Amphibian boat tour was complimentary by Glacier Lagoon , though all opinions remain our own and are based on personal experience during the Ring Roadtrip in Iceland! Many many sincere thanks to Glacier Lagoon for the amazing experience!

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A few words about Iceland

Iceland is the country of ice and it is an island country of Europe, located in the North Atlantic Ocean a bit southest to the Arctic Circle, located  between Greenland, Scotland, the Faroe Islands and Norway. Its population amounts to 360,390 residents. The interior consists of a plateau characterised by sand and lava fields, mountains, and glaciers, and many glacial rivers flowing to the sea through the lowlands.

How to plan a trip to Iceland?

We will share with you two travel options on how to plan a trip to Iceland  and its up to you to choose the one that suits you best based on your travel days and of course your budget.

• First Choice Iceland Golden Circle

This is the most common route that most travellers choose as the sights that make up Golden Circle are mainly  located on the south side of Iceland and the itinerary  is easily feasible whether its with an organized tour or on a rented car. You can choose as a base Reykjavik and make another overnight stay eg. in Hella or Vik, so you ll definetely must have at least 4 days to spend there especially if you plan to join icelandic experiences and activities. The Iceland Golden Circle is actually a part of the the second option which is given below,  the Iceland Golden Ring so keep reading to learn more about the route as well.

• Second option Iceland Ring Road trip

We choose the Ring Road Trip around the whole island! To see in detail our detailed itinerary with hours of driving, sightseeing and of course total cost read here. We recommend this option for the adventure lovers and the roadtrippers and of course and of course for those you can afford at least 7 days of travelling (accommodation, car, petrol etc). For all the useful information about car rental etc read our tips here!

Things to do in Iceland – which experiences to choose?

Check out in detail the list of the most famous experiences we joined in Iceland. More generally, however, it is worth trying as many as you can and as long as your budget allows it (because dont forget we re talking about an expensive country).

Some of the most mainstream activities are:

• Blue Lagoon
• Diamond Beach Boat Tour (amphibian or Zodiac)
• Ice Cave Tours
• Lava Tunnel
• Whale watching (depending on the season)
• Beer Spa (Personally we didn’t try it)

More activities in Iceland

You can always feel free to check our detailed itinerary and get an idea of the experiences we tried over there! In particular, a trip to Iceland must certainly includes hikes, Aurora chasing or hunting, waterfall hopping, hot springs, fishing villages in  in the northwestern area of fjords, a meeting with the wonderful puffin (only in summer).

Rumor has it that… If you don’t like the weather in Iceland wait five minutes and it will change. And this is true by far!

All you need to take with you in Iceland

• Waterproof shoes (waterproof  not just water resistance)
• Waterproof trekking or ski trousers
• Isothermal (two sets up and down)
• Isothermal Socks
• Fleece cardigan or blouse
• Waterproof jacket (preferably a trekking one)
• Cap and gloves
• Neck scarf
• For more ideas on packaging, see our wider packing list – moreover do not forget our light travelling tips

Extra Tips and Info for your trip to Iceland

• Iceland is called Island and Islandia by the Icelanders
• Reykjavik is a beautiful city so  spend  at least a day wandering around
• Useful tips for driving and renting a car can be found in detail here
• Useful tips and options for Icelandic food can be found here
• Iceland is much more expensive than the average of countries in Europe
• Share your trip with friends to have more fun with a lower budget
• The weather in Iceland is constantly changing, and when we say all the time we mean even per minute
• Be informed about the activity of the Northern Lights (Aurora borealis) but do not go to Iceland only for this reason
• If you choose a Road Trip prefer travelling in summer months so that you make the most out of the day hours (Northern Lights can not be seen in summer)
• The cost is always relative but it is an expensive country so be flexible, stay with others and cook homemade food for a few days to keep the expenses as low as they may get

Iceland has become one of our top trips in terms of nature, beautiness, wildness, pureness etc. and we recommend having it on your bucket list so start saving guys! Do not forget that there are no trips that are called de facto “life trips” and others that dont, every trip is simply worth being experienced to the full! The only thing we can assure you is that Iceland is one of its kind and a trip to the country of lava and ice will offer you imotions and experiences that you will not find anywhere else in the world.

The post RING ROADTRIP IN ICELAND THE COUNTRY OF ICE AND LAVA appeared first on Nonstoptravellers.

In Genoa for city break…

We escaped to Genoa for  one of our beloved city breaks. One of our last ones in fact was again in Italy in the romantic Venice! We booked our tickets with Volotea, which is a perfect choice for getaways in Italy, Greece and special destinations such is Dubrovnik and got ourselves to the most colourful port we ve ever seen, so far!

Is a 24-hour trip in Genoa enough?

Actually it is… But we suggest you spend a weekend at least. The city is ideal for walking and endless hours of exploration and enjoyment of Italian flavors!

We recommend staying close to the train station so you can easily escape to nearby areas such as the Cinque Terre and move easily to and from Genoa airport.

A wonderful city will begin to unfold in front of you from the very first moment you exit the train station! Classic architecture – masterpiece buildings will be your partners as you stroll down the streets, first you ll meet those of the Royal Palace and the University of Genoa. Here the area is full of affordable little shops ideal for a quick espresso and an Italian focaccia!
Continuing you will meet a building that reminds a lot of Greece in a perfect contrast to the adjacent Genoese coloured buildings!

Next is Garibaldi Street  where you have to take a look at the alleys on the right left of the pedestrian zone. You will see inspiring lights forming beautiful words like history, joy, love etc (so an evening stroll is definitely required).

Genoa challenges you to the hashtag #morethanthis

Via Roma

Keep strolling and you will find yourself alongside Via Roma a special touch in an urban environment. The street is surrounded by the well-known colourful buildings  while  hanging colourful windmills make the street look even more intense creating a perfect Instagrammable spot!

Alongside Via Roma a flea market is located with antiques and retro object in an open-air bazaar which will steal your heart!
Piazza Ferrari and Genova come next. A huge fountain and three buildings in its background will distract you enough time for photos and to watch the people as they pass by while you ll be enjoying sitting on  one of the many benches you will find throughout the square. A monument to the word Genova is the third must see point of Instagram shots!

Next stop is the Piazza Duomo and the temple of San Lorenzo, a special gem inside out and a quick coffee shot at one of the many  cafés just down the street (in one of the dozens of alleys of the center of Genoa).

Main attractions

• Porto Antico
• Aquario di Genoa
• Via Garibaldi
• Via Roma
• Piazza delle Fontane Marose
• Piazza Ferrari
• Galleria Mazzini
• Piazza Matteotti
• Piazza delle Feste
• Galeone
• Sn Lorenzo
• Palazzo Antonio Doria
• Accademia Ligustica di Belle
• Palazzo Stefano Balbi
• Palazzo Nicolo Grimaldi
• Port dell Arco
• Biosfera
• Stazione Piazza Principe

Our Favorite Spot is Porto Antico

The old port of Genoa is more lively than ever, with docks, a huge aquarium, modern architectural additions inspired by the past, benches, biosphere, wheel ride at €8, panoramic spot with view of the whole city in €5, Gelato, pizzerias and people of all ages are making it even more vivid and the perfect place to hang out!

Genoa in the Evening

• Do Not miss an evening stroll in all the above places! The night has its own beauty and charm as you keep wandering in the alleys and enjoying an aperitivo. Leave the old port as the last part of  your trip and be amazed by the alluring lights of the city at night!
• Try eating at Fuori (menu €6)
• Drink italina coffee at urban Tazze Paazze
• Enjoy panoramic views from the steeple of San Lorenzo for €5

Affordable air tickets, classic italian beauty, Italian Riviera in only one hour away, many options for nearby getaways with  Cinque Terre National Park being the top of the top, budget accommodation and food make Genoa the perfect choice for city break!

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