/tags/nature/Recent posts from Yury MolodtsovHugoen-usTue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000/posts/walk-to-the-beach/Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000/posts/walk-to-the-beach/Had a fun walk to the beach right before sunset.<div class="post-photos"><figure><a href="/posts/walk-to-the-beach/DSCF1077.jpg"><img src="/posts/walk-to-the-beach/DSCF1077.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Walk to the Beach"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/walk-to-the-beach/DSCF1123.jpg"><img src="/posts/walk-to-the-beach/DSCF1123.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Walk to the Beach"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/walk-to-the-beach/DSCF1127.jpg"><img src="/posts/walk-to-the-beach/DSCF1127.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Walk to the Beach"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/walk-to-the-beach/DSCF1128.jpg"><img src="/posts/walk-to-the-beach/DSCF1128.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Walk to the Beach"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/walk-to-the-beach/DSCF1132.jpg"><img src="/posts/walk-to-the-beach/DSCF1132.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Walk to the Beach"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/walk-to-the-beach/DSCF1244.jpg"><img src="/posts/walk-to-the-beach/DSCF1244.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Walk to the Beach"></a></figure></div>/posts/chamonix/Wed, 25 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000/posts/chamonix/Great mountains and French food is a perfect combo.<div class="post-photos"><figure><a href="/posts/chamonix/DSCF0717.jpg"><img src="/posts/chamonix/DSCF0717.jpg" width="2560" height="1440" alt="Chamonix"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/chamonix/DSCF0730.jpg"><img src="/posts/chamonix/DSCF0730.jpg" width="1706" height="2560" alt="Chamonix"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/chamonix/DSCF0738.jpg"><img src="/posts/chamonix/DSCF0738.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Chamonix"></a></figure></div>/posts/scotland/Thu, 17 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000/posts/scotland/Harsh northern landscapes, careful hiking on tricky trails, more sheep than people.<div class="post-content"><h2 id="highlights">Highlights</h2> <ul> <li>Rough landscapes</li> <li>Sheep</li> <li>Seafood</li> </ul> <p>We squeezed everything out of a six‑month UK visa one more time, flew into Edinburgh, grabbed a car, and drove to the Isle of Skye, stopping for shaggy Highland cows and an unexpectedly stunning roadside view near Glencoe. On the way we visited the railway viaduct from the Harry Potter films, where a rather boring diesel locomotive was pulling the tourist train instead of the classic steam engine, but the scenery more than made up for it. On Skye itself it was all about harsh northern landscapes, careful hiking on tricky trails, more sheep than people, and a small number of cafés and restaurants that nevertheless served genuinely great seafood.</p> </div><div class="post-photos"><figure><a href="/posts/scotland/DSCF0419%201.jpg"><img src="/posts/scotland/DSCF0419%201.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Scotland"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/scotland/DSCF0358.jpg"><img src="/posts/scotland/DSCF0358.jpg" width="1707" height="2560" alt="Scotland"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/scotland/DSCF0412.jpg"><img src="/posts/scotland/DSCF0412.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Scotland"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/scotland/DSCF0413.jpg"><img src="/posts/scotland/DSCF0413.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Scotland"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/scotland/DSCF0422%201.jpg"><img src="/posts/scotland/DSCF0422%201.jpg" width="1706" height="2560" alt="Scotland"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/scotland/DSCF0508.jpg"><img src="/posts/scotland/DSCF0508.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Scotland"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/scotland/DSCF0512.jpg"><img src="/posts/scotland/DSCF0512.jpg" width="1707" height="2560" alt="Scotland"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/scotland/DSCF0515.jpg"><img src="/posts/scotland/DSCF0515.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Scotland"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/scotland/DSCF0608.jpg"><img src="/posts/scotland/DSCF0608.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Scotland"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/scotland/DSCF0638.jpg"><img src="/posts/scotland/DSCF0638.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Scotland"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/scotland/DSCF0643.jpg"><img src="/posts/scotland/DSCF0643.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Scotland"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/scotland/DSCF0650.jpg"><img src="/posts/scotland/DSCF0650.jpg" width="1706" height="2560" alt="Scotland"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/scotland/DSCF0654.jpg"><img src="/posts/scotland/DSCF0654.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Scotland"></a></figure></div>/posts/concrete-and-parks/Sun, 23 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000/posts/concrete-and-parks/London is one of the most interesting cities in the world.<div class="post-photos"><figure><a href="/posts/concrete-and-parks/DSCF0171.jpg"><img src="/posts/concrete-and-parks/DSCF0171.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Concrete and Parks"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/concrete-and-parks/DSCF0175.jpg"><img src="/posts/concrete-and-parks/DSCF0175.jpg" width="1707" height="2560" alt="Concrete and Parks"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/concrete-and-parks/DSCF0179.jpg"><img src="/posts/concrete-and-parks/DSCF0179.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Concrete and Parks"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/concrete-and-parks/DSCF0216.jpg"><img src="/posts/concrete-and-parks/DSCF0216.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Concrete and Parks"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/concrete-and-parks/DSCF0173.jpg"><img src="/posts/concrete-and-parks/DSCF0173.jpg" width="1707" height="2560" alt="Concrete and Parks"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/concrete-and-parks/DSCF0176.jpg"><img src="/posts/concrete-and-parks/DSCF0176.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Concrete and Parks"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/concrete-and-parks/DSCF0194.jpg"><img src="/posts/concrete-and-parks/DSCF0194.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Concrete and Parks"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/concrete-and-parks/DSCF0286.jpg"><img src="/posts/concrete-and-parks/DSCF0286.jpg" width="2560" height="2048" alt="Concrete and Parks"></a></figure></div>/posts/farm-walks/Sun, 09 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000/posts/farm-walks/This farm is a short drive from our house.<div class="post-photos"><figure><a href="/posts/farm-walks/DSCF0076.jpg"><img src="/posts/farm-walks/DSCF0076.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Farm Walks"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/farm-walks/DSCF0062.jpg"><img src="/posts/farm-walks/DSCF0062.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Farm Walks"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/farm-walks/DSCF0063.jpg"><img src="/posts/farm-walks/DSCF0063.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Farm Walks"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/farm-walks/DSCF0070.jpg"><img src="/posts/farm-walks/DSCF0070.jpg" width="2560" height="1440" alt="Farm Walks"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/farm-walks/DSCF0071.jpg"><img src="/posts/farm-walks/DSCF0071.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Farm Walks"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/farm-walks/DSCF0073.jpg"><img src="/posts/farm-walks/DSCF0073.jpg" width="2560" height="1440" alt="Farm Walks"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/farm-walks/DSCF0089.jpg"><img src="/posts/farm-walks/DSCF0089.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Farm Walks"></a></figure></div>/posts/north-of-portugal/Sun, 09 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000/posts/north-of-portugal/Quick roadtrip northeast of Porto.<div class="post-photos"><figure><a href="/posts/north-of-portugal/DSCF0899.jpg"><img src="/posts/north-of-portugal/DSCF0899.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="North of Portugal"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/north-of-portugal/DSCF0852.jpg"><img src="/posts/north-of-portugal/DSCF0852.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="North of Portugal"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/north-of-portugal/DSCF0868.jpg"><img src="/posts/north-of-portugal/DSCF0868.jpg" width="1706" height="2560" alt="North of Portugal"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/north-of-portugal/DSCF0907.jpg"><img src="/posts/north-of-portugal/DSCF0907.jpg" width="1706" height="2560" alt="North of Portugal"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/north-of-portugal/DSCF0911.jpg"><img src="/posts/north-of-portugal/DSCF0911.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="North of Portugal"></a></figure></div>/posts/surfing/Sun, 09 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000/posts/surfing/The country of surfing.<div class="post-photos"><figure><a href="/posts/surfing/DSCF5530.jpg"><img src="/posts/surfing/DSCF5530.jpg" width="2560" height="1440" alt="Surfing"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/surfing/DSCF5523.jpg"><img src="/posts/surfing/DSCF5523.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Surfing"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/surfing/DSCF5542.jpg"><img src="/posts/surfing/DSCF5542.jpg" width="2560" height="1440" alt="Surfing"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/surfing/DSCF5560.jpg"><img src="/posts/surfing/DSCF5560.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Surfing"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/surfing/DSCF5563.jpg"><img src="/posts/surfing/DSCF5563.jpg" width="1706" height="2560" alt="Surfing"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/surfing/DSCF5574.jpg"><img src="/posts/surfing/DSCF5574.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Surfing"></a></figure></div>/posts/endless-coasts/Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000/posts/endless-coasts/One of my favorites beaches in Portugal.<div class="post-photos"><figure><a href="/posts/endless-coasts/DSCF5749.jpg"><img src="/posts/endless-coasts/DSCF5749.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Endless coasts"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/endless-coasts/DSCF5783.jpg"><img src="/posts/endless-coasts/DSCF5783.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Endless coasts"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/endless-coasts/DSCF5788.jpg"><img src="/posts/endless-coasts/DSCF5788.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Endless coasts"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/endless-coasts/DSCF5800.jpg"><img src="/posts/endless-coasts/DSCF5800.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Endless coasts"></a></figure></div>/posts/dolomites/Thu, 24 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000/posts/dolomites/This is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been.<div class="post-content"><h2 id="highlights">Highlights</h2> <ul> <li>Fantastic hikes</li> <li>Great food</li> <li>Wine and beer</li> </ul> <p>This is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. For a perfectly dense vacation, I plan routes, hike among unbelievable mountains, drop into rifugios that are now basically regular restaurants, then head back in the evening to soak in a spa hotel, somehow not gaining weight despite everything I eat. On top of the scenery there’s this incredible mix of Austrian and Italian culture — schnitzels, pasta, beer, wine, decent Italian bubbly for 5–6 euros in any shop — and here I discovered speck, a Tyrolean cousin of jamón that’s heavily spiced and smoked instead of air-dried (there isn’t enough sun for that), and it’s a million times tastier than any jamón or prosciutto, so of course I brought a kilo home; after that, only the photos can really tell the story.</p> </div><div class="post-photos"><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3264.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3264.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2709.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2709.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2717.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2717.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2721.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2721.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2744.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2744.jpg" width="1707" height="2560" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2780.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2780.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2789.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2789.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2793.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2793.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2804.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2804.jpg" width="1707" height="2560" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2812.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2812.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2815.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2815.jpg" width="1707" height="2560" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2828.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2828.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2829.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2829.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2851.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2851.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2877.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2877.jpg" width="1707" height="2560" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2955.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2955.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2958.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2958.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2965.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2965.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2966.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2966.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2973.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2973.jpg" width="1707" height="2560" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2994.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF2994.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3007.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3007.jpg" width="1707" height="2560" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3049.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3049.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3056.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3056.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3073.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3073.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3093.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3093.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3098.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3098.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3108.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3108.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3120.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3120.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3215.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3215.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3218.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3218.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3240.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3240.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3243.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3243.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3362.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3362.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3456.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3456.jpg" width="1707" height="2560" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3460.jpg"><img src="/posts/dolomites/DSCF3460.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Dolomites"></a></figure></div>/posts/azores/Tue, 23 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000/posts/azores/Azores have wild nature, black volcanic beaches, lighthouses, and mist-covered mountain lakes<div class="post-content"><h2 id="highlights">Highlights</h2> <ul> <li>Black beaches</li> <li>Misty forests</li> </ul> <p>Sao Miguel in the Azores is a very small island where wild nature, black volcanic beaches, lighthouses, and mist-covered mountain lakes starts just minutes from the city and the weather is as deceptive as in Lisbon. Finally saw dolphins and whales there, but still found Madeira more interesting thanks to its higher mountains, even though Sao Miguel has hot springs whose novelty wears off quickly and which always smell.</p> </div><div class="post-photos"><figure><a href="/posts/azores/DSCF1808%201.jpg"><img src="/posts/azores/DSCF1808%201.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Azores"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/azores/DSCF1860.jpg"><img src="/posts/azores/DSCF1860.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Azores"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/azores/DSCF1895.jpg"><img src="/posts/azores/DSCF1895.jpg" width="1707" height="2560" alt="Azores"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/azores/DSCF1916.jpg"><img src="/posts/azores/DSCF1916.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Azores"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/azores/DSCF2046.jpg"><img src="/posts/azores/DSCF2046.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Azores"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/azores/DSCF2344.jpg"><img src="/posts/azores/DSCF2344.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Azores"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/azores/DSCF2347.jpg"><img src="/posts/azores/DSCF2347.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Azores"></a></figure></div>/posts/andorra/Tue, 02 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000/posts/andorra/Celebrating New Year.<div class="post-content"><p>Andorra is quite a nice place although the global warming is slowly killing skiing here.</p> </div><div class="post-photos"><figure><a href="/posts/andorra/DSCF1246.jpg"><img src="/posts/andorra/DSCF1246.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Andorra"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/andorra/DSCF1380.jpg"><img src="/posts/andorra/DSCF1380.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Andorra"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/andorra/DSCF1391.jpg"><img src="/posts/andorra/DSCF1391.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Andorra"></a></figure></div>/posts/nazare/Sun, 05 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000/posts/nazare/The big waves of Nazare.<div class="post-content"><p>Nazaré is a small fishing town on Portugal&rsquo;s Atlantic coast, about 120 km north of Lisbon. It&rsquo;s famous for producing some of the largest surfable waves on Earth. The record is 26 meters.</p> <p>The massive waves are created by an underwater canyon called the Nazaré Canyon, which is about 5 km deep and 230 km long.</p> <p>It is one of the premier big wave surfing destinations in the world, attracting top surfers during the winter months.</p> </div><div class="post-photos"><figure><a href="/posts/nazare/DSCF0259.jpg"><img src="/posts/nazare/DSCF0259.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Nazare"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/nazare/DSCF0265.jpg"><img src="/posts/nazare/DSCF0265.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Nazare"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/nazare/DSCF0289.jpg"><img src="/posts/nazare/DSCF0289.jpg" width="1707" height="2560" alt="Nazare"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/nazare/DSCF0302.jpg"><img src="/posts/nazare/DSCF0302.jpg" width="1707" height="2560" alt="Nazare"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/nazare/DSCF0319.jpg"><img src="/posts/nazare/DSCF0319.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Nazare"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/nazare/DSCF0328.jpg"><img src="/posts/nazare/DSCF0328.jpg" width="2560" height="1440" alt="Nazare"></a></figure></div>/posts/portugal-on-film/Tue, 24 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0000/posts/portugal-on-film/Various places across Portugal that we visited around 2023.<div class="post-photos"><figure><a href="/posts/portugal-on-film/Iurii%20Molodtsov-48.jpg"><img src="/posts/portugal-on-film/Iurii%20Molodtsov-48.jpg" width="2400" height="1608" alt="Portugal on Film"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/portugal-on-film/Iurii%20Molodtsov-53.jpg"><img src="/posts/portugal-on-film/Iurii%20Molodtsov-53.jpg" width="2400" height="1610" alt="Portugal on Film"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/portugal-on-film/Iurii%20Molodtsov-64.jpg"><img src="/posts/portugal-on-film/Iurii%20Molodtsov-64.jpg" width="2400" height="1609" alt="Portugal on Film"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/portugal-on-film/Iurii%20Molodtsov-55.jpg"><img src="/posts/portugal-on-film/Iurii%20Molodtsov-55.jpg" width="2400" height="1609" alt="Portugal on Film"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/portugal-on-film/Iurii%20Molodtsov-63.jpg"><img src="/posts/portugal-on-film/Iurii%20Molodtsov-63.jpg" width="1600" height="2387" alt="Portugal on Film"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/portugal-on-film/Iurii%20Molodtsov-66.jpg"><img src="/posts/portugal-on-film/Iurii%20Molodtsov-66.jpg" width="2400" height="1609" alt="Portugal on Film"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/portugal-on-film/Iurii%20Molodtsov-59.jpg"><img src="/posts/portugal-on-film/Iurii%20Molodtsov-59.jpg" width="2400" height="1609" alt="Portugal on Film"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/portugal-on-film/Iurii%20Molodtsov-68.jpg"><img src="/posts/portugal-on-film/Iurii%20Molodtsov-68.jpg" width="2400" height="1609" alt="Portugal on Film"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/portugal-on-film/Iurii%20Molodtsov-40.jpg"><img src="/posts/portugal-on-film/Iurii%20Molodtsov-40.jpg" width="1600" height="2387" alt="Portugal on Film"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/portugal-on-film/Iurii%20Molodtsov-26.jpg"><img src="/posts/portugal-on-film/Iurii%20Molodtsov-26.jpg" width="2400" height="1609" alt="Portugal on Film"></a></figure></div>/posts/madeira/Sat, 23 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000/posts/madeira/Madeira is a small, mountainous Portuguese island perfect for misty hikes, dramatic ocean views, and simple but outstanding local food.<div class="post-content"><h2 id="highlights">Highlights</h2> <ul> <li>Cloud forests</li> <li>Sunrise peaks</li> <li>Seafood taverns</li> </ul> <p>Madeira is a small, mountainous Portuguese island in the Atlantic that feels both tropical and alpine at once. Down by the coast it’s hot, humid, and a bit suffocating to walk, while just a short drive up into the mountains the temperature drops to around 20°C and I’m already reaching for a windbreaker. I notice how clouds and fog constantly hang between the peaks, making it surreal that people once chose to climb higher and build homes there. The island attracts a lot of British retirees, which means decent English almost everywhere, but as soon as I rent a car it turns into a very active trip with steep roads, free‑roaming cows occasionally blocking the way, and a surprisingly comfortable Atlantic thanks to how far south the island sits.</p> <p>For hiking, Madeira is a paradise. We follow easy but spectacular trails I find on Google and AllTrails, often along levadas—old irrigation channels that move water from the wet parts of the island to the dry ones. We walk through endless fog, especially around places like Calheta and the Levada das 25 Fontes e Risco, where waterfalls feed whole networks of channels and I occasionally bump into animal “locals.” We wake up before dawn to catch sunrise at Pico do Arieiro, parking near the peak and watching the clouds boil beneath me while the light and colors change every minute. Later, in the Fanal “forest of mists,” I wander through dense fog and twisted, eerie trees that feel like a Silent Hill level, and at Ponta de São Lourenço I hike along dramatic cliffs where the rock changes color in the sunset, turning the landscape into something that sometimes even reminds me of Armenia.</p> <p>Food and small places are a big part of how I remember Madeira. In Funchal I find what I call the best restaurant on the island: a cramped, slightly stuffy tavern that serves simple local dishes—especially espada (black scabbardfish) and prego sandwiches on Madeiran bread—at an almost absurdly high level.</p> </div><div class="post-photos"><figure><a href="/posts/madeira/DSCF8788.jpg"><img src="/posts/madeira/DSCF8788.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Madeira"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/madeira/DSCF8354.jpg"><img src="/posts/madeira/DSCF8354.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Madeira"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/madeira/DSCF8416.jpg"><img src="/posts/madeira/DSCF8416.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Madeira"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/madeira/DSCF8726.jpg"><img src="/posts/madeira/DSCF8726.jpg" width="1707" height="2560" alt="Madeira"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/madeira/DSCF8727.jpg"><img src="/posts/madeira/DSCF8727.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Madeira"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/madeira/DSCF8740.jpg"><img src="/posts/madeira/DSCF8740.jpg" width="1707" height="2560" alt="Madeira"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/madeira/DSCF8768.jpg"><img src="/posts/madeira/DSCF8768.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Madeira"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/madeira/DSCF8815.jpg"><img src="/posts/madeira/DSCF8815.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Madeira"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/madeira/DSCF8884.jpg"><img src="/posts/madeira/DSCF8884.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Madeira"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/madeira/DSCF8971.jpg"><img src="/posts/madeira/DSCF8971.jpg" width="2560" height="1440" alt="Madeira"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/madeira/DSCF8988.jpg"><img src="/posts/madeira/DSCF8988.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Madeira"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/madeira/DSCF9008.jpg"><img src="/posts/madeira/DSCF9008.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Madeira"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/madeira/DSCF9017.jpg"><img src="/posts/madeira/DSCF9017.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Madeira"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/madeira/DSCF9137.jpg"><img src="/posts/madeira/DSCF9137.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Madeira"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/madeira/DSCF9255.jpg"><img src="/posts/madeira/DSCF9255.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Madeira"></a></figure></div>/posts/parks-in-vila-real/Sat, 09 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000/posts/parks-in-vila-real/This area has some of the best nature parks in Portugal.<div class="post-content"><p>Highly recommend staying in any quintas around and just driving between hikes.</p> </div><div class="post-photos"><figure><a href="/posts/parks-in-vila-real/DSCF8064.jpg"><img src="/posts/parks-in-vila-real/DSCF8064.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Parks in Vila Real"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/parks-in-vila-real/DSCF7968.jpg"><img src="/posts/parks-in-vila-real/DSCF7968.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Parks in Vila Real"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/parks-in-vila-real/DSCF7997.jpg"><img src="/posts/parks-in-vila-real/DSCF7997.jpg" width="1707" height="2560" alt="Parks in Vila Real"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/parks-in-vila-real/DSCF7999.jpg"><img src="/posts/parks-in-vila-real/DSCF7999.jpg" width="1707" height="2560" alt="Parks in Vila Real"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/parks-in-vila-real/DSCF8024.jpg"><img src="/posts/parks-in-vila-real/DSCF8024.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Parks in Vila Real"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/parks-in-vila-real/DSCF8040.jpg"><img src="/posts/parks-in-vila-real/DSCF8040.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Parks in Vila Real"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/parks-in-vila-real/DSCF7992.jpg"><img src="/posts/parks-in-vila-real/DSCF7992.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Parks in Vila Real"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/parks-in-vila-real/DSCF7998.jpg"><img src="/posts/parks-in-vila-real/DSCF7998.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Parks in Vila Real"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/parks-in-vila-real/DSCF8001.jpg"><img src="/posts/parks-in-vila-real/DSCF8001.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Parks in Vila Real"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/parks-in-vila-real/DSCF8032.jpg"><img src="/posts/parks-in-vila-real/DSCF8032.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Parks in Vila Real"></a></figure></div>/posts/the-25th-of-april-bridge/Sun, 13 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0000/posts/the-25th-of-april-bridge/This isn&#39;t San Francisco.<div class="post-content"><p>My serious about the Lisbon bridge named after the revolution.</p> </div><div class="post-photos"><figure><a href="/posts/the-25th-of-april-bridge/DSCF5155.jpg"><img src="/posts/the-25th-of-april-bridge/DSCF5155.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="The 25th of April Bridge"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/the-25th-of-april-bridge/DSCF7767.jpg"><img src="/posts/the-25th-of-april-bridge/DSCF7767.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="The 25th of April Bridge"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/the-25th-of-april-bridge/DSCF7770.jpg"><img src="/posts/the-25th-of-april-bridge/DSCF7770.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="The 25th of April Bridge"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/the-25th-of-april-bridge/DSCF7786.jpg"><img src="/posts/the-25th-of-april-bridge/DSCF7786.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="The 25th of April Bridge"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/the-25th-of-april-bridge/DSCF5162.jpg"><img src="/posts/the-25th-of-april-bridge/DSCF5162.jpg" width="1707" height="2560" alt="The 25th of April Bridge"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/the-25th-of-april-bridge/DSCF7768.jpg"><img src="/posts/the-25th-of-april-bridge/DSCF7768.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="The 25th of April Bridge"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/the-25th-of-april-bridge/DSCF7775.jpg"><img src="/posts/the-25th-of-april-bridge/DSCF7775.jpg" width="1706" height="2560" alt="The 25th of April Bridge"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/the-25th-of-april-bridge/DSCF7804.jpg"><img src="/posts/the-25th-of-april-bridge/DSCF7804.jpg" width="1655" height="2560" alt="The 25th of April Bridge"></a></figure></div>/posts/running-a-round/Sun, 04 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0000/posts/running-a-round/This is a nice beach near Guincho.<div class="post-photos"><figure><a href="/posts/running-a-round/DSCF6703.jpg"><img src="/posts/running-a-round/DSCF6703.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Running a round"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/running-a-round/DSCF6619.jpg"><img src="/posts/running-a-round/DSCF6619.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Running a round"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/running-a-round/DSCF6624.jpg"><img src="/posts/running-a-round/DSCF6624.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Running a round"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/running-a-round/DSCF6629.jpg"><img src="/posts/running-a-round/DSCF6629.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Running a round"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/running-a-round/DSCF6641.jpg"><img src="/posts/running-a-round/DSCF6641.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Running a round"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/running-a-round/DSCF6673.jpg"><img src="/posts/running-a-round/DSCF6673.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Running a round"></a></figure></div>/posts/faro/Sun, 28 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000/posts/faro/The south of Portugal is even hotter.<div class="post-content"><p>The favorite place of British tourist to burn your skin and go drinking to an English pub.</p> </div><div class="post-photos"><figure><a href="/posts/faro/DSCF6376.jpg"><img src="/posts/faro/DSCF6376.jpg" width="1706" height="2560" alt="Faro"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/faro/DSCF6385.jpg"><img src="/posts/faro/DSCF6385.jpg" width="1706" height="2560" alt="Faro"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/faro/DSCF6396.jpg"><img src="/posts/faro/DSCF6396.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Faro"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/faro/DSCF6521.jpg"><img src="/posts/faro/DSCF6521.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Faro"></a></figure></div>/posts/praia-da-ursa/Sun, 30 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0000/posts/praia-da-ursa/A beach that requires a hike.<div class="post-content"><p>Most people go directly to praia da Ursa without realizing there&rsquo;s a far more interesting beach just below. But you need tracking shoes to get there safely. The added bonus is you will probably be there alone.</p> </div><div class="post-photos"><figure><a href="/posts/praia-da-ursa/DSCF6284.jpg"><img src="/posts/praia-da-ursa/DSCF6284.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Praia da Ursa"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/praia-da-ursa/DSCF6299.jpg"><img src="/posts/praia-da-ursa/DSCF6299.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Praia da Ursa"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/praia-da-ursa/DSCF6309.jpg"><img src="/posts/praia-da-ursa/DSCF6309.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Praia da Ursa"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/praia-da-ursa/DSCF6311.jpg"><img src="/posts/praia-da-ursa/DSCF6311.jpg" width="1706" height="2560" alt="Praia da Ursa"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/praia-da-ursa/DSCF6316.jpg"><img src="/posts/praia-da-ursa/DSCF6316.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Praia da Ursa"></a></figure></div>/posts/waves/Sun, 23 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0000/posts/waves/This sea has insane colors<div class="post-photos"><figure><a href="/posts/waves/DSCF6144.jpg"><img src="/posts/waves/DSCF6144.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Waves"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/waves/DSCF6165.jpg"><img src="/posts/waves/DSCF6165.jpg" width="1706" height="2560" alt="Waves"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/waves/DSCF6226.jpg"><img src="/posts/waves/DSCF6226.jpg" width="1706" height="2560" alt="Waves"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/waves/DSCF6245.jpg"><img src="/posts/waves/DSCF6245.jpg" width="1706" height="2560" alt="Waves"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/waves/DSCF6255.jpg"><img src="/posts/waves/DSCF6255.jpg" width="1706" height="2560" alt="Waves"></a></figure></div>/posts/porto-do-touro/Sun, 02 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0000/posts/porto-do-touro/Portugal has a fantastic coast.<div class="post-photos"><figure><a href="/posts/porto-do-touro/DSCF5612%201.jpg"><img src="/posts/porto-do-touro/DSCF5612%201.jpg" width="2560" height="1765" alt="Porto do Touro"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/porto-do-touro/DSCF5621.jpg"><img src="/posts/porto-do-touro/DSCF5621.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Porto do Touro"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/porto-do-touro/DSCF5641%201.jpg"><img src="/posts/porto-do-touro/DSCF5641%201.jpg" width="2560" height="1439" alt="Porto do Touro"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/porto-do-touro/DSCF5659.jpg"><img src="/posts/porto-do-touro/DSCF5659.jpg" width="1706" height="2560" alt="Porto do Touro"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/porto-do-touro/DSCF5662.jpg"><img src="/posts/porto-do-touro/DSCF5662.jpg" width="1706" height="2560" alt="Porto do Touro"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/porto-do-touro/DSCF5670.jpg"><img src="/posts/porto-do-touro/DSCF5670.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Porto do Touro"></a></figure></div>/posts/baleal-beach/Sun, 26 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0000/posts/baleal-beach/One of my favorite and most beautiful place in central Portugal.<div class="post-photos"><figure><a href="/posts/baleal-beach/e32b48b24a.jpg"><img src="/posts/baleal-beach/e32b48b24a.jpg" width="1800" height="1440" alt="Baleal Beach"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/baleal-beach/1538997113.jpg"><img src="/posts/baleal-beach/1538997113.jpg" width="1350" height="1800" alt="Baleal Beach"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/baleal-beach/e399649961.jpg"><img src="/posts/baleal-beach/e399649961.jpg" width="1350" height="1800" alt="Baleal Beach"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/baleal-beach/c608e3334b.jpg"><img src="/posts/baleal-beach/c608e3334b.jpg" width="1350" height="1800" alt="Baleal Beach"></a></figure></div>/posts/various-shots/Sat, 30 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000/posts/various-shots/I spent slightly less than a year in Armenia. It&#39;s a very diverse country.<div class="post-content"><p>It&rsquo;s definitely worth a visit. You see landscapes that are indistinguishable from Russia, Iran and even Iceland.</p> </div><div class="post-photos"><figure><a href="/posts/various-shots/DSCF2593.jpg"><img src="/posts/various-shots/DSCF2593.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Various shots"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/various-shots/DSCF3151.jpg"><img src="/posts/various-shots/DSCF3151.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Various shots"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/various-shots/DSCF3453.jpg"><img src="/posts/various-shots/DSCF3453.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Various shots"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/various-shots/DSCF3719.jpg"><img src="/posts/various-shots/DSCF3719.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Various shots"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/various-shots/DSCF3930.jpg"><img src="/posts/various-shots/DSCF3930.jpg" width="1706" height="2560" alt="Various shots"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/various-shots/DSCF4035.jpg"><img src="/posts/various-shots/DSCF4035.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Various shots"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/various-shots/DSCF2596.jpg"><img src="/posts/various-shots/DSCF2596.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Various shots"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/various-shots/DSCF3334.jpg"><img src="/posts/various-shots/DSCF3334.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Various shots"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/various-shots/DSCF3455.jpg"><img src="/posts/various-shots/DSCF3455.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Various shots"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/various-shots/DSCF3737.jpg"><img src="/posts/various-shots/DSCF3737.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Various shots"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/various-shots/DSCF3960.jpg"><img src="/posts/various-shots/DSCF3960.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Various shots"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/various-shots/DSCF4038.jpg"><img src="/posts/various-shots/DSCF4038.jpg" width="1706" height="2560" alt="Various shots"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/various-shots/DSCF2767.jpg"><img src="/posts/various-shots/DSCF2767.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Various shots"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/various-shots/DSCF3338.jpg"><img src="/posts/various-shots/DSCF3338.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Various shots"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/various-shots/DSCF3456.jpg"><img src="/posts/various-shots/DSCF3456.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Various shots"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/various-shots/DSCF3916.jpg"><img src="/posts/various-shots/DSCF3916.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Various shots"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/various-shots/DSCF4014.jpg"><img src="/posts/various-shots/DSCF4014.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Various shots"></a></figure><figure><a href="/posts/various-shots/DSCF4041.jpg"><img src="/posts/various-shots/DSCF4041.jpg" width="2560" height="1706" alt="Various shots"></a></figure></div>