Friday’s Featured Food: Homestay Dinner in Balka, Tiraspol, Transnistria

My fast and frenzied trip to the republic of Transnistria was over in a heartbeat. Having crossed the border from Moldova on a bus to Tiraspol, I then settled into my home stay for the night with Ilya. Ilya’s flat is in the district of Balka in Tiraspol, the capital city of Transnistria. Homestays should Read more about Friday’s Featured Food: Homestay Dinner in Balka, Tiraspol, Transnistria[…]

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Staying at Mimi Apartments by Lake Ohrid, Northern Macedonia

After a few days in Skopje, I headed to the southern part of Northern Macedonia to see what is widely regarded as the best tourist spot in the country, Lake Ohrid. I’ll report some other time on my impressions of the lake and town, first up – I found a fantastic place to stay – Read more about Staying at Mimi Apartments by Lake Ohrid, Northern Macedonia[…]

bars kosovo capital

Thirsty Thursdays: 5 Cool Bars in Pristina, Kosovo

Kosovo is one of the world’s newest countries. Born back in 2008 when they were granted their long desired freedom from Serbia after some horrendous acts of ethnic cleansing. It’s a country that is essentially part of Albania, though for political reasons and to appease the Serbs, the name of the country is the Republic Read more about Thirsty Thursdays: 5 Cool Bars in Pristina, Kosovo[…]

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World Borders: How to Get From Romania to Bulgaria (Train from Bucharest to Veliko Tarnovo)

Another of my Eastern European world borders series now as I write about my trip from Romania to Bulgaria. Having loved my time in Bucharest, I decided to head south and check out the medieval city of Veliko Tarnovo in Bulgaria. Having used train to cross from Romania to Moldova (and back the same way) Read more about World Borders: How to Get From Romania to Bulgaria (Train from Bucharest to Veliko Tarnovo)[…]

Staying at City Hostel: The First Ever Hostel in Skopje, Northern Macedonia

I was completely buzzing during my stay in Skopje, Northern Macedonia. I really have to say – Skopje is a very under-rated city and so magnificent that it jumped up to be my second favourite city in all of Europe – second only to Belfast in Northern Ireland of course. I had arrived in Northern Read more about Staying at City Hostel: The First Ever Hostel in Skopje, Northern Macedonia[…]

World Borders: How to Get from Transnistria to Moldova (Bus from Tiraspol to Chisinau)

You might have heard that I went backpacking in Tiraspol, capital city of the rather unknown country of Transnsitria. I enjoyed a cool home stay with Ilya, including a local breakfast experience. Getting to Transnistria, I got a border bus from Chisinau to Tiraspol and have already written about that journey. Going the opposite way Read more about World Borders: How to Get from Transnistria to Moldova (Bus from Tiraspol to Chisinau)[…]

Backpacking in Romania: Touring Marginea Black Ceramics Factory

Seeing real life hard workers in action on my travels is something I like to do, away from the “Disneyland” experience of touring custom made attractions. Welcome to Southern Bucovina, which to no confusion or intention is in northern Romania. My train journey up was bliss, I loved my hostel the Dor de Bucovina hostel Read more about Backpacking in Romania: Touring Marginea Black Ceramics Factory[…]

Staying at Peaches Hostel in Bucharest, Romania

It’s not that often I stay in two different hostels in the same city, nor is it often that I spend over two weeks in the same city!! But with Bucharest I did. I loved the vibe in the city and it was enough for me to make it my base in between all my Read more about Staying at Peaches Hostel in Bucharest, Romania[…]