High Tatras National Park, Slovakia / Photo by Claire for Europe Explored

1. Decent sized day pack:

Not too big, not too small and preferably with lots of handy compartments. About 50 cl should do it, and if at all possible get a bag which comes with a waterproof cover for all weather conditions.

2. Tent:

The ultimate in outdoor survival, especially if you plan on staying out all night and star gazing. There are plenty of light-weight, waterproof varieties on the market, just make sure the one you buy will fit comfortably into your back pack.

3. Water:

Probably the most important, but sadly the most often overlooked. Taking more than enough is always plentiful, especially if going on a hike, as you just don’t know when you’ll next be able to re-fill.

4. Map:

When you arrive at the park visit the office or wardens cabin and acquire a map, preferably one with hiking trails, that way you won’t have to lay a trail of breadcrumbs to find your way back.

Czech Paradise National Park, The Czech Republic / Photo by Claire for Europe Explored

5. Torch:

This one’s mainly for camping purposes, but handy none the less to have on you, you’ll certainly benefit in the caves at Mammoth or Carlsbad Caverns national parks. A head torch is ideal for night time cooking.

6. Synthetics or wool:

Not cotton – because cotton doesn’t stay warm when wet, so if you sweat and it’s cold you won’t be able to keep warm easily. Clothing in general is good to think about – pack lots of thin layers so you can add to your attire if cold, thermals are a great addition for under garments too.

7. Waterproof everything:

Light weight jacket and trousers, because even in America you never know what the weather will be like, and you’d be surprised how wet you can get stood next to the falls of Yosemite, if it’s cold when you visit, you’ll certainly appreciate those waterproof layers.

8. Batteries:

Camera, torch, kindle or whatever else you need batteries for, if you’re stuck in the most beautiful stop in the world without a working camera is probably one of the most excruciating experiences ever. Remember the boy scouts motto and always ‘be prepared’.

When packing for any holiday it’s important to make thorough lists about what you need and what you want, it keeps you focussed on the activities you’ll be doing, and stops you from over packing. One essential piece of advice would be not to pack or buy anything you think you can get cheaper abroad, thermals, water bottles and generally anything you think you can get cheaper where you’re going should be left out if possible, to make more room for other essentials.

Holli likes to travel and in her spare time takes every opportunity to experience the outdoors.

The post 8 Essential Items For Travelers When Visiting Any National Park appeared first on Europe Explored.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by alex yosifov

There are several legends about this place, the most famous is about 40 girls who in an effort to avoid the Turkish slavery together jumped off cliffs into the sea. This fabulous event is commemorated by an obelisk called the “The Gate of the 40 Maidens” at the entrance to the Cape. You’ll also find a small museum with archaeological finds here. There are remnants of Tirisis fort that was built before the advent of the Romans and served until the Middle Ages. Its location on the Cape was not accidental, the sea and high cliffs represented an ideal natural protection against invaders.

But the main thing that attracts tourists, is the overall scenery of the Cape and the local nature at all. The dramatic view from the top of the rocks of the turquoise sea is really worth it. There are many caves and photogenic corners here. Kaliakra Cape is a protected area since 1941, but since that it has increased its area three times and now reaches 687 ha.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Marcin Chady

Fairly typical is to watch the dolphins while playing in the waves. Even relatively recently it was also a home to rare Mediterranean seal. This animal was in the past, very abundant and very common throughout the Mediterranean and the Black Sea including Bulgaria, but due to the pollution of their environment, hunting and development of the tourism industry they disappeared. The last Bulgarian seals could be seen in the early eighties of the 20th century. Today, Mediterranean seal is officially considered the most endangered mammal of the European Union and its future existence is uncertain.

Other places for nature lovers are 8 kilometres away, in Taukliman protected area and the subsequent reservation called Jajlata.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by alex yosifov

Surroundings of Kaliakra Cape is interesting not only from the land but also from the sea. In August 1791, in the vicinity of the cape, there was a naval battle, during which the Russian fleet under the leadership of the famous admiral Fyodor Fyodorovich Ushakov completely destroyed the large Turkish fleet. That is one reason why the area attracts divers and wrecks seekers. On the seabed there are a number of objects and remnants of ships from various medieval periods and of the World War II.

Very interesting is also a restaurant situated in one of the caves in the middle of the Cape. It boasts an outdoor garden offering magnificent views of the surrounding area. However you will not find any accommodation right on the spot, most tourists come here on a trip from various places on the Black Sea, for example, from a well-known resort of Albena. If you go on your own, you surely find some bed in the vicinity.

So if you wandered into this region, just visit this place, where sea fights with the mainland and still make for an unusual beauty.

View Kaliakra Cape – watch dolphins at Black Sea Coast in Bulgaria in a larger map

The post Kaliakra Cape – watch dolphins at Black Sea Coast in Bulgaria appeared first on Europe Explored.

Photo by cera1980

Gioiosa Marea is also known as spa town, which has retained its unique peaceful atmosphere to these days, despite of the development of tourism in Sicily. Lots of great romantic restaurants, cafes and bars are waiting for you in the town centre and invite you to sit and taste a glass of good wine. Shopping lovers will be pleased of shops with all sorts of souvenirs. You can stay in the small holiday village Piraino, that is just few kilometres from Gioiosa Marea.

Approximately 2 km away of Gioiosa Marea you can find a picturesque beach, above which rises a granite rocks Capo Calava’s. Do not miss a visit to three local caves, which are interconnected with corridors and wells. Caves are not yet fully explored. Interesting trips can be taken to Tindari, Milazzo, or to the historic town of Cefalu, Taormina, Etna and others.

View Gioiosa Marea – a beautiful historic town in Sicily Italy in a larger map

The post Gioiosa Marea – a beautiful historic town in Sicily | Italy appeared first on Europe Explored.

The cave has three surface holes. The inlet lies at an altitude of 740 m, 90 m above the flow Demänovka. The upper floors are ice-free, with weathered limestone ornamentation. You can see the ice only in the front part of the very bottom floor.

Demänovská Ice Cave is one of the first known caves in the world. It was mentioned already in a document Ostrihom Chapter of 5th December 1299. It was first explored and described by Juraj Buchholtz jr. in 1719. Since then, it was well-known and sought out by scholars in the whole world. In 80′s of the last century, the cave was open also to public.

The basic admission is €7. Cave is open from May to September every day except of Mondays, however the opening hours are changing. For further details please check the official website of Demänovská Ice Cave.

View Demänovská Ice Cave in Slovakia – one of the first known caves in the world in a larger map

The post Demänovská Ice Cave in Slovakia – one of the first known caves in the world appeared first on Europe Explored.

Torrent de Pareis got its name from the stream Pareis that carved the canyon over millions of years. The most interesting entry into the canyon is by the sea from the village of Sa Calobra through two narrow tunnels in the rock. Tunnels lead to the coast where the stream Pareis flows into the sea.

In summer the stream dried on its way which allow tourist to bath on the beautiful pebble beach. It is also possible to enter the Torrent de Pareis from the upper village Escorca. The entire canyon is 7 km long. The total height from the sea to the highest point is 720 m.

The canyon is surrounded by the steep rocky walls. In the deepest places the walls reach a height of 400 m. At the bottom of the canyon you can see a small salt lake, created by the sea tide. In the walls you can find the caves that were dug by rain water. This also created a lot of water tunnels and deep lakes in the canyon.

During your trip to Torrent de Pareis you will see the huge rocky blocks. They are pieces of canyon walls, which over the years broke off due to erosion and fell to its ground. The whole area of ​​Torrent de Pareis was announced a significant natural heritage for its geological and biological value.

View Torrent de Pareis Gorge – Mallorca’s greatest natural wonder | Spain in a larger map

The post Torrent de Pareis Gorge – Mallorca’s greatest natural wonder | Spain appeared first on Europe Explored.

Arta Caves have not just beautiful natural decorations, but also a rich history. The biggest natural attraction of the caves is 22 m high stalagmite. Caves are divided into several areas as called Inferno (Hell), Purgaturio (purgatory) and Paradisio (Paradise). The special lighting creates really magical and impressive look.

It is interesting that in the past the Arta Caves served as haven for pirates and smugglers. Among the most popular visitors of the Caves were such as Jules Verne, Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas and Sarah Bernhardt. Jules Verne’s even reportedly got the inspiration for his story “Journey to the Center of the Earth”.

Arta Caves are open all year round. From May to October, are open daily from 10 to 18 hours. From November to April is also open daily from 10 to 17 hours. Basic entrance to Arta Caves costs 11 €. Children under 6 are admitted free.

Tours of the caves takes about 30-40 minutes and are conducted in English, Spanish, French and German.

View Arta Caves – a popular cave system on the island of Mallorca Spain in a larger map

The post Arta Caves – a popular cave system on the island of Mallorca | Spain appeared first on Europe Explored.

Carvoeiro is a picturesque village and popular resort. Beautiful is the local coast called Algar Seco that is typical for a number of bizarre rocky pillars, bridges and caves in a rocky labyrinth.

Carvoeiro has a clean sea and beaches with fine sand. It is surrounded by beautiful limestone cliffs. One of the favourite beaches is the beach of Carvoeiro, which is due to slow entry into the sea, suitable for families with children. Other great beaches are Carvalho or Alagar Seco.

Carvoeiro has a wide range of accommodation. There are many restaurants, bars and shops. Popular restaurants include O Castelo or Pátio. In the village you can try a range of water sports, but you can also play golf. Golf Course Vale do Milho Golf is located right in Carvoeiro and it is not the only one.

The area of the current village was inhabited already by the Romans. The current name is probably derived from an old medieval name of the fishing village “Caboiere”. However up to 60′s of the 20th century Carvoeiro was a sleepy fishing village, it is now widely popular resort.

Carvoeiro is best accessible by car. The nearest international airport Aeroporto de Faro is located in Alexandria, the port and railway station are in Portimao. For moving around the town you can use the tourist train.

View Carvoeiro – the most fantastic beaches in the Algarve, Portugal in a larger map

The post Carvoeiro – the most fantastic beaches in the Algarve, Portugal appeared first on Europe Explored.

The main attraction of the cave is called Milky Way Hall, where you can see the white branches and clusters of aragonite shining like stars in the Milky Way. There are fantastic shapes of flowers and Aragonite crystalline formations.

Ochtinská Aragonite Cave was discovered accidentally in 1954 by Jan Bystricky and open later to the public in 1972. However its length is only 300 meters, and only 230 meters are accessible, it is famous for its rare aragonite filling. In 1995 Ochtinská Aragonite Cave has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List together with other caves in Slovak Karst.

The cave is open daily except of Mondays from April to October. Basic admission is €6.

View Ochtinská Aragonite Cave – the only Aragonite cave of that kind in the world Slovakia in a larger map

The post Ochtinská Aragonite Cave – the only Aragonite cave of that kind in the world | Slovakia appeared first on Europe Explored.

It is the home to many endemic and rare species of the Balkan Pleistocene flora. There are also lots of famous and popular ski resorts. Since 1983, the entire area of the Pirin National Park is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Pirin National Park with its caves, waterfalls and glacial lakes should be included on your list of destinations if you are planning your visit to Bulgaria.

Visible is the impact of glaciers from the last Ice Age, which created deep valleys and numerous lakes. The rivers are fed from melting snow on the peaks during the summer as well. Water falls to the valleys in several beautiful waterfalls. Pirin, Rila and Rodopi together form the mass of the southern Bulgarian mountains. Pirin is interesting due to the fact that 45 of its peaks have an altitude of 2600 meters above sea level.

During the hiking to one of the peaks you can meet several islands of more-years-old snow, so-called firn, which is an intermediate stage between snow and glacial ice. As the Pirin National Park is relatively far from inhabited areas, many European wildlife species found their home here.

Pirin National Park has well-marked hiking paths and trails for the ski runs. You can choose the level of difficulty according to your physical abilities. However most of them belong to less demanding routes. Rest and food for tourists provide several huts, which offer the possibility of overnight accommodation in a beautiful and romantic landscape. The chalet Vichren, which lies at an altitude of 1950 meters can even be reached by car. From there, visitors can walk to the highest mountain peak in just 2-3 hours. The Pirin National Park has just very few tourists throughout the year, which also has its charm. The reason is probably its remoteness, but the park offers unique world of majestic mountain, which is certainly worth a visit.

View Pirin National Park in one of the highest mountains in Europe Bulgaria in a larger map

The post Pirin National Park in one of the highest mountains in Europe | Bulgaria appeared first on Europe Explored.

When you come to Therme Erding for the first time, you really be just staring. The amount of attraction is incredible, there are slides, sauna, salt caves, bars, massages, restaurants, waterfalls and geysers with palm trees… Moreover, everything is perfectly clean, organized, imaginative.

Spa was opened in October 3, 1999 and has already hosted more than 10 million visitors, which regularly takes care of 600 employees. At peak times you can meet there up to ten thousand people a day and they all go here with one goal. Enjoy the hot spring emanating from a depth of 2350 meters below ground, at 63 degrees Celsius. The medicinal effect, which is accepted by the state, is useful for all who have problems with joints, spine, rheumatism, skin diseases or are after trauma.

Gigantic thermal world covers an area of 145,000 m2 and consists of five mutually separated, but still closely connected parts. You can buy ticket to each part separately, but definitely worth to take a ticket for the whole area.

Probably the biggest attraction in Therme Erding is its sauna paradise. On 13.000 m2 you can enjoy 25 saunas, designed like a world tour. Each sauna is dedicated to a particular country. In Britain you can find Celtic waterfalls and sauna with space sky at Stonehenge. In Italy there are Roman baths, etc… It just depends on your taste, and visit Bavaria, Spain, India or North Africa…

In Sauna pavilion you will find lots of naked people, who enjoy swimming at the world’s best dipping.

Admission to all parts of the Therme Erding (in VitalOase and Saunaparadies from 16 years only) per adult per day is 34EUR, on holidays and weekends to pay 4EUR more. Children under 3 are admitted free.

View Therme Erding – Europe’s biggest thermal water world and sauna paradise Germany in a larger map

The post Therme Erding – Europe’s biggest thermal water world and sauna paradise | Germany appeared first on Europe Explored.