Europe Explored » water reservoir https://europeexplored.com Travel through the most beautiful places in Europe Sun, 08 Sep 2013 13:36:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=3.6 Akamas National Park and mountains in Cyprus https://europeexplored.com/2011/12/12/akamas-national-park-and-mountains-in-cyprus/ https://europeexplored.com/2011/12/12/akamas-national-park-and-mountains-in-cyprus/#comments Mon, 12 Dec 2011 11:30:44 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=5575 Akamas National Park is situated in the north-eastern part of the island of Cyprus. It covers an area of ​​230 km2 and excels in a wild natural beauty. Its name was given by Athenian warrior and son of Theseus, the hero of Trojan War – Acamas. Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Luca […]

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Akamas National Park is situated in the north-eastern part of the island of Cyprus. It covers an area of ​​230 km2 and excels in a wild natural beauty. Its name was given by Athenian warrior and son of Theseus, the hero of Trojan War – Acamas.

Akamas National Park, Cyprus
Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Luca Sbardella

The whole peninsula is rocky, there are some impressive canyons, such as Androlikou and Petratis, both on the north side of the peninsula. There are many marked hiking trails and climbing routes here. It is worth to see also the water reservoir called Aphrodite’s Baths. According to Greek mythology this is the place where Aphrodite met Adonis.

Part of the peninsula is forested and include about 600 plant species, of which 35 are endemic. For example, you can see wild cyclamen, several species of orchids, the Cyprus tulip, rock roses and more.

The fauna is represented by bats, shrews, foxes, hedgehogs, snakes, vultures, and sea turtles.

Aphrodite Trail, Cyprus
Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by sunrisehomeland

Probably the most beautiful walk on the island of Cyprus, you can enjoy by following Aphrodite Trail – 7.5 km long. Along the way, you can see the remains of a Byzantine monastery of Rigena. The trail leads to the top of Mouti tis Sotiras (370 m). Expect heat and the fact that water can be found only at Castle of Rigena, or when you follow another Adonis Trail, then in the village of Kefalovrysi.

Another trail is Pissouromouttis Trail which is 3km long or Smigiaes Trail with a length of 5km. On both of them you can enjoy magnificent views of the bay Hrysohou and Polis.

All the trails are carefully maintained, marked and accompanied by didactic signs.

If you are just planning your holidays in Cyprus, you should also include this great part of this island.


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Stuibenfall – the highest waterfall in Tyrol | Austria https://europeexplored.com/2011/05/11/stuibenfall-the-highest-waterfall-in-tyrol-austria/ https://europeexplored.com/2011/05/11/stuibenfall-the-highest-waterfall-in-tyrol-austria/#comments Wed, 11 May 2011 11:16:20 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=3724 Stuibenfall is the highest waterfall in Tyrol, Austria. It is located in the district of Imst, in the Ötztal Alps, near the village Umhausen. It is a part of a stream Horlachbach. Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by mindgrow Stuibenfall Waterfall was created about 8000 – 9800 years ago during the glaciers melting. […]

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Stuibenfall is the highest waterfall in Tyrol, Austria. It is located in the district of Imst, in the Ötztal Alps, near the village Umhausen. It is a part of a stream Horlachbach.

Stuibenfall, waterfall, Austria
Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by mindgrow

Stuibenfall Waterfall was created about 8000 – 9800 years ago during the glaciers melting. At that time there was a thawing of permafrost which moved the huge masses of rock. The stream Horlachbach was created after a landslide of approximately 3 billion cubic meters of rocks from the Tauferberg area to Horlachtal valley. There was thus created a large water reservoir from which the water broke the way and thus created a Stuibenfall Waterfall.

You still can see the rocks, which originally formed the dam of the lake. Stuibenfall Waterfall is 159 meters high an it is therefore the highest waterfall in Tyrol and the fourth highest in Austria.

Stuibenfall, waterfall, Austria 2
Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by äquinoktium

Stuibenfall Waterfall is easily accessible from the village Umhausen, where you can also visit the archaeological park of Ötzi Dorf (Ice Man Village). The whole trip is also suitable for the children and take approximately 3 hours. If you still want to visit the archaeological park, be prepared for an hour and a half more. Stuibenfall Waterfall is open all year round for free.

Large paid car-park is available at Ötzi Dorf. At the Stuibenfall Waterfall there is also climbing arena available. It is 450 m long hedged way, that leads just at the left side of the waterfall. Reportedly it is also suitable for the children from 10 years and older.


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Jägala Falls – the biggest waterfall in Estonia https://europeexplored.com/2010/11/08/jagala-falls-the-biggest-waterfall-in-estonia/ https://europeexplored.com/2010/11/08/jagala-falls-the-biggest-waterfall-in-estonia/#comments Mon, 08 Nov 2010 12:58:40 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=2042 Jägala Falls are the largest waterfalls in Estonia. They are located approximately 30 km east of the capital city of Estonia – Tallinn, at the village Jägala Joa. These beautiful waterfalls are called Niagara Falls of the Baltic. Jägala Falls are about 8 meters high. The water of Jägala River cuts into the limestone and […]

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Jägala Falls are the largest waterfalls in Estonia. They are located approximately 30 km east of the capital city of Estonia – Tallinn, at the village Jägala Joa. These beautiful waterfalls are called Niagara Falls of the Baltic.

Jägala Falls are about 8 meters high. The water of Jägala River cuts into the limestone and formed here about 300 feet long valley. It flows into the nearby water reservoir Linnamäe Veehoidla and then to the Baltic Sea. Jägala Falls partially freeze in winter and get a nice icy backdrop.

The oldest known written record of a water mill in Estonia (from the early 13th century) dates from here.


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National Park Thayatal in Austria – one of the most beautiful landscapes https://europeexplored.com/2010/09/28/national-park-thayatal-in-austria-one-of-the-most-beautiful-landscapes/ https://europeexplored.com/2010/09/28/national-park-thayatal-in-austria-one-of-the-most-beautiful-landscapes/#comments Tue, 28 Sep 2010 06:42:27 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=1532 The National Park Thayatal and its Czech side – National Park Podyjí, belong to one of the most beautiful, romantic and biodiversity rich valley landscapes. The park is famous for the narrow valley which the river Thaya runs through. It is situated on the borders with Czech Republic, north-east of Austria. There are not many […]

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The National Park Thayatal and its Czech side – National Park Podyjí, belong to one of the most beautiful, romantic and biodiversity rich valley landscapes. The park is famous for the narrow valley which the river Thaya runs through. It is situated on the borders with Czech Republic, north-east of Austria. There are not many places where such a diversity of flora and fauna can be found in a close space as in National Park Thayatal. It covers covers 1,330 hectares of land

Steep cliffs are covered with forests, and the geological bedrock (granite) affects both the landscape and vegetation. There are two castles at the borders of the national park, Burg Hardegg and ruined castle Kaja. You can find there about half of all plant species originating from Austria.

Animal World is so prominent and contains a large number of very rare species of vertebrates. In terms of sport, cycling and hiking are popular activities in the park.

At the Czech side there is one of the most beautiful water reservoir called Vranov. In the case of bad weather you can visit nice city of Znojmo and test the Czech wine.


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Domaša lake – where to get cold and wet in eastern Slovakia during the hot summer days https://europeexplored.com/2010/05/16/domasa-lake-in-slovakia/ https://europeexplored.com/2010/05/16/domasa-lake-in-slovakia/#comments Sun, 16 May 2010 15:43:55 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=181 Domaša is a multi-purpose hydroelectric project, a water reservoir, located in the district of Vranov, in the eastern Slovakia. It was built between 1962 – 1967. Domaša dam lies in the valley of Ondava Highlands and serves also for the recreational purposes. It covers an area of 1,510 hectares, its length is 13.8 km, maximum […]

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Domaša is a multi-purpose hydroelectric project, a water reservoir, located in the district of Vranov, in the eastern Slovakia. It was built between 1962 – 1967. Domaša dam lies in the valley of Ondava Highlands and serves also for the recreational purposes. It covers an area of 1,510 hectares, its length is 13.8 km, maximum width of about 3 km, maximum depth of 25 m.

Domaša lake, Slovakia
Domaša lake / P.matel

Optimal climate and water temperature of around 23 °C provide pleasant swimming in clean water from June through mid September. Domaša is ideal for lovers of water sports and recreation. Its shores are lined with nice hills and ridges, which offer a unique scenery and a nice view of the water surface.

Its right western side is forested, which creates a paradise for mushroom pickers, hunters and lovers of long walks.

Water surface and its shores are characterized by variety of waterfowl. You can see the black stork, bitterns, plovers, various species of ducks, swans, herons, raptors from the kite, white-tailed eagle and others.

Fishermen will find a beautiful, quiet nooks, with the possibility of hunting different types of fish – carp, perch, pike, ache, catfish, bream, eel, chub. Rich fishing is also provided by a buffer tank adjacent to small towns of Malá Domaša and Slovenská Kajňa.

If you will be looking for an accommodation, there are several hotels, pensions, cottage resorts or campings around the lake. The best time to visit Domaša is, of course, the summer, when several summer festivals take place here. Some of the best known and most popular include Miss Domaša or a music festival, Domaša Fest.


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