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The travel stories of Dimo – 25 Years of adventures with Penguin Travel
Dear Traveler, I will tell you the story of Penguin Travel. But it is the story of a man, not a company. The name of the mastermind behind the fantastic journeys to unusual places is Dimiter Popov. Yet everybody calls him Dimo. I recorded a chat with Dimo a couple a weeks ago. He is talking about his passion to travel, his discoveries, what a trusty traveler should not miss. This is the 25 years story of exploration, discoveries and dedication to a passion, which turned into a... още »
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A glance of Iran – the cradle of modern civilization
Teheran, Iran Dear Traveler, You heard the phrase – It’s all about the journey, not the destination. The original proverb, wrongly attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson is – Life is a journey, not a destination. It has become a popular cliché, but there are moments you realize how true it is. Traveling to Iran was one of these moments for me. It is a life changing experience someone considering himself a traveler should put in his top three places to visit. Going back to the proverb,... още »
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Mozambique – a discovery of an African treasure
A Dhow on the Sand Bank, Mozambique Dear Traveler, There is a country in the South-East of Africa you know by name, but probably don't have a clear idea what stands behind that name. Often people associate Mozambique as a neighbor of the Republic of South Africa. Those of us born in the 60's still keep the image of a country thorn apart by a civil war and devastated by a weird Marxist experiment. Our journey revealed a land of immense beauty, a jewel every dedicated adventurous traveler... още »
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Balkan Bridges - A journey across 8 Balkan countries
A journey across 8 Balkan countries | Discover the unprecedented cultural mix of Europe’s busiest historical crossroad | Enjoy the flavors and the magic of countries rich in traditions and legends | Through the scars of the wars from the 90’s, the beauty of the nature and the people of the Balkans tell the story of nations who’s fate was and will be to survive together “Of everything that man erects and builds in his urge for living nothing is in my eyes better and... още »
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The Trans-Siberian Express – A journey to put on top of your wish list
Transsiberian Railroad Dear Traveler, This is the story of the most incredible journey I ever had. Finally at home, I try to put in order all the memories of places and encounters during the almost 8,000 Kilometers across Europe and Asia with the Trans-Siberian Express. The actual Trans-Siberian is exactly 9,289 km from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok, being the longest railroad on the planet. You can take this route as well, but I will tell you about the variation more precisely told... още »
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North Korea – A story about ice cream, mountains and a missing guide
Dear Traveler, When I told some friends I am going to North Korea, I got the same question from everyone: What can be interesting in this country? I laughed, explaining that this is the last authentic communist regime. We have to grab the opportunity to see it before it disappears in history books. But there is a deeper reason. My curiosity always pushes me to look for beauty in everything. I was sure there would be something genuinely beautiful behind the mass media clichés about North... още »
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Socotra – an island forgotten by men and blessed by gods
Dear Traveler, When I was a teenager (back in the 70's), there were no computers and "smart" gadgets of any sort. Can you imagine! We were writing letters on a paper with a pen, posting them in post boxes. Our music was the hyper modern Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side of the Moon" or Bowie's "Space Oddity". And the literature of my youth was the science fiction. We grew up with the books of Arthur Clark, Isaac Asimov, Strugatsky brothers or Ray Bradbury. It is Bradbury's "Martian chronicles" that... още »
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Madagascar – a journey into "The Lost World"
Dear Traveler, I discovered recently an interesting overlap map, showing the real dimensions of the African continent. Our colonial ancestors modified "a bit" the immensity of the newly conquered and exploited continent. It is an obvious attempt to exaggerate the importance of their European homelands. How pathetic! But even this illustration is incorrect. Because the fourth biggest island on the planet, Madagascar (587,713 km2) is more than twice bigger than the eighth – Great Britain... още »
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Pirin – from dusk till dawn
Discover winter mountain of Bulgaria Discover Pirin Mountains during winter The incredible views of Pirin Mountains Photo Winter in the Bulgarian Mountains Story and images by Emil Danailov Spending the night on Mount Polezhan, even during the winter, is not a big challenge. Some do it at 6, 7 and even 8,000 meters altitude in far harsher meteorological conditions. With its 2.851 m above sea level, Polezhan is minuscule according the Himalayan standards, being although one of the... още »
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A glance of Iran 2 - winter is coming
Skiing in Iran - really? This could sound like a pleasantery, but yes, you can really ski in Iran! In a matter of fact, Iran is mostly a mountain country counting hundreds of peaks above 4000m. The highest peak is Mt Damavand, an old volcano with an elevation of 5,609m! Winter in Iran is tough, and massive snow layers cover most parts of the country from December to March. Back in the sixties, under the reign of the Shah Mohamed Reza, the first proper ski resort of Iran was built in Shemshak.... още »
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Unique adventure in Uganda: Meet the ancestors
One of the poorest countries in the world is among the richest in spirit and hospitality. And trekking Gorillas is a highlight of every tour This could sound like a pleasantery, but yes, you can really! Uganda is less known among the travelers still, but it is truly amazing country! Once you step there, you will fall in love with everything you see – the unspoiled nature, the unique fauna and the friendly people. Statistically this is one of the poorest countries in the world. But it is rich... още »
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Saudi Arabia: Welcome to Islam's spiritual birthplace
There are strict rules to follow in the Kingdom, but the remarkable cultural heritage inside makes the efforts more than worth It took really long for Saudi Arabia to decide to open for random tourists. But now it is finally on and Penguintravel immediately put the destination on its belt! The Kingdom – known as the spiritual birthplace of theIslam, now has new approach to attract visitors and that's why the visarequirements are changed. The changes are so big, compared to the past... още »
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The African festivals: Colorful time travel through astonishing history, rich culture and vivid traditions
Join Akwasidae in Ghana to witness the golden time of Ashanti Kingdom and become part of Jesus Christ's baptism during Ethiopian Timkat festival in the "African Camelot" If you love Africa and you are inspired to learn a lot about its traditions and culture, then visiting the continent during some of its biggest festivals is just a mission to cover! There is no better time to see the very heart of Africa then the one when hundreds of locals gathered on the streets, showing the best of their... още »
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ZAR Ceremony in Qeshm Island: Fighting the bad spirits by unique and extraordinary rituals
Qeshm Island in the south coast of Iran has one of the most amazing nature on our planet and is a delight for the eye. But the island can offer much more – a delight to the soul and for the mind. Local traditions are so colorful and unknown for the western citizens, that being lucky to see them your own eyes is an adventure one could never forget. The most popular and celebrated tradition in Qeshm is the ZAR ceremony. It is different even to the customs and traditions in the other... още »
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The Lycian Way: Turkish 'ghost trail', leading to Alexander the Great's time
If you look for a journey along the Mediterranean Sea, then do not miss a trip along Turkey's longest hiking trail - the Lycian Way, known also as the "the trail of ghosts". The Lycian way is a 509 km way-marked footpath around the coast of Lycia in southern Turkey, from Fethiye to Antalya. It was researched, designed and implemented by the Brit Kate Clow. Kate was a passionate walker. In the mid of 90-s she submitted the idea of creating a long-distance footpath which Turkey didn't have at... още »
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The Roman ruins in Algeria - little known treasure of an ancient civilization
Perhaps many travelers and Roman sites hunters will be surprised to hear that the northern part of Algeria is dotted with Roman ruins. Not only it is full of them, but it ranks on second place about this feature, after Italy only! The civil war during the last decade of 20th century put Algeria aside from the main tourists roads in Africa. Today the country is struggling to rebuilt its tourism reputation, trying to picture itself as a calm and safe land, with friendly people.... още »
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The Karakoram Highway: Discover the ancient Silk Road and the world of miracles
Some people name the Karakoram Highway the "Eight World's Wonder" and this is not exaggerated. The highway crosses the ancient Silk Road. It is running from Hasan Abdal in the Pinjab province of Pakistan to Kashgar in China. The road is stretching at about 1300 km and with its height of 4800 m is in fact the the highest paved international border. The highway is considered to be one of the greatest engineering achievement of the 20th century. Its building started by both the governments of... още »
3704 BGN, 9 дни
Афганистан: Кабул, Херат, Бамиян, Банд-е Амир, Мазар-и-Шариф и Още
Присъединете се към пътешествие през сърцето на Афганистан, където ви очаква богата история,...
3548 BGN, 9 дни
Непознатата Нигерия
С население от приблизително 192 млн. жители, Нигерия е най-гъсто населената държава в Африка и...
3744 BGN, 12 дни