Backpacking in Ukraine: Chernobyl Exclusion Zone Tour Part 6 – Visiting the Culprit, Reactor Number 4

Posted on January 19, 2016January 11, 2016 by Jonny Blair

It doesn’t get much more crazy than heading on a backpacking journey to “Reactor Number 4”. Indeed, the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone attracts less tourists per year than Antarctica, North Korea and Iraq. Here there are 13,000 tourists per year. That’s only 35 people per day on average! And I mentioned in parts 1 and 2 Read more about Backpacking in Ukraine: Chernobyl Exclusion Zone Tour Part 6 – Visiting the Culprit, Reactor Number 4[…]

Backpacking in Italy: My Top 5 Memories

Posted on January 13, 2016November 14, 2023 by Jonny Blair

I don’t write about Italy as much, despite having visited the country seven times on my travels. I’m planning to visit Italy again this year, in June on route to France for the Euro 2016 football tournament to watch Northern Ireland in. Italy is one of the best countries for food. I love pizza, any Read more about Backpacking in Italy: My Top 5 Memories[…]

THE GREATEST CASINO DESTINATIONS OF 2015

Posted on January 12, 2016 by Jonny Blair

Casinos around the world are growing in popularity and there are many cities now enjoying the benefits of these hugely revenue generating venues. Thankfully where there are great casino-based venues there is also great entertainment as well as places to eat, drink and be merry. We take a look at just some of the top Read more about THE GREATEST CASINO DESTINATIONS OF 2015[…]

Backpacking in Ukraine: Chernobyl Exclusion Zone Tour Part 4 – Secret Duga Radar System

Posted on January 11, 2016January 11, 2016 by Jonny Blair

“Your joys are counterfeit. This happiness corrupt political shit” – Richey James Edwards. So in the fourth installment of my trip to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, I report on the journey driving down a Soviet built “road” through a dense forest to a radar system, often known as DUGA 1. This part of the tour seemed less Read more about Backpacking in Ukraine: Chernobyl Exclusion Zone Tour Part 4 – Secret Duga Radar System[…]

Backpacking in Poland: Top 5 Sights in Jewish Krakow

Backpacking in Poland: Top 5 Sights in Kazimierz, Kraków’s Jewish Quarter

Posted on January 8, 2016October 11, 2020 by Jonny Blair

When I arrived in the city of Kraków in Poland, it was time to delve into some Jewish history. Yes, I have spent a hat-trick of weeks backpacking through Israel and Palestine, but here, Jewish history is a huge thing, for sad reasons. Kraków has always had a large Jewish population and a Jewish neighbourhood. Read more about Backpacking in Poland: Top 5 Sights in Kazimierz, Kraków’s Jewish Quarter[…]

Thirsty Thursdays: Top 5 Bars in Lviv, Ukraine

Posted on January 7, 2016January 4, 2016 by Jonny Blair

The fact that Lviv Ukraine is brimmed full of wacky themed bars is enough to make any keen pub go-er enjoy this thriving nationalistic city with some style and panache. And let me tell you, it ain’t no glammed up pretentious place either. Italians, leave your Ferraris behind; mainland Brits, forget trying to be a Read more about Thirsty Thursdays: Top 5 Bars in Lviv, Ukraine[…]

Hiking in Europe: Highest Peaks in the Continent

Posted on January 6, 2016August 20, 2018 by Jonny Blair

I’ve hiked in every continent so far, yes even Antarctica – we hiked up Cuverville Island back in 2010. But my home continent of Europe has some surprisingly high peaks in places, all with tremendous views and some extreme hiking and ski-ing opportunities. An excellent infographic recently released shows all these peaks in an easy Read more about Hiking in Europe: Highest Peaks in the Continent[…]

Backpacking in Ukraine: Touring the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone Tour Part 3 – Backpacking in Chernobyl Town

Backpacking in Ukraine: Chernobyl Exclusion Zone Tour Part 3 – “Backpacking” in Chernobyl Town

Posted on January 3, 2016January 2, 2016 by Jonny Blair

As with most of my journeys, I go to places without a huge amount of advance research. I find it clouds my method of thought and gives me an opinion of what to expect before I arrive. Sometimes, we go with the flow. I headed to Chernobyl with a clear head and the memory of Read more about Backpacking in Ukraine: Chernobyl Exclusion Zone Tour Part 3 – “Backpacking” in Chernobyl Town[…]

Thirsty Thursdays: Getting Handcuffed and Spanked in the home of Masochism in Lviv, Ukraine

Posted on December 31, 2015December 31, 2015 by Jonny Blair

When you are out travelling the world you never know where you will end up next. Every new city or town I arrive in, I do little research. It’s only when you get to these places that you get extra ideas. A couple of my blog followers, Laura and Kyle alerted me of Cafe Masoch Read more about Thirsty Thursdays: Getting Handcuffed and Spanked in the home of Masochism in Lviv, Ukraine[…]

Backpacking in Ukraine: Chernobyl Exclusion Zone Tour Part 2 – Arrival at the CEZ at Dityatki Checkpoint

Posted on December 30, 2015January 30, 2016 by Jonny Blair

Following my trip out of Kiev to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, and being based in the Tiu Kreschatik Hostel, we arrived at the CEZ entrance. The area beyond this checkpoint is out of bounds for tourists and ordinary people. You need a pass and you need to be there as part of a guided and Read more about Backpacking in Ukraine: Chernobyl Exclusion Zone Tour Part 2 – Arrival at the CEZ at Dityatki Checkpoint[…]