Trip to Iceland to travel famous Laugavegur trail. We arrived to Keflavik airport, about 50 kilometers from the country capital, Reykjavik. As we arrived after midnight and failed to reach the camp we have booked, we had to spend the night on wastes close to the airport fence. Following day we moved to the capital, looked a bit around and in the next morning moved to the start of the trail, Landmanalaugar site.

Initial part of the Laugavegur trail, from Landmannalaugar over Höskuldsskáli and Álftavatn to Hvanngil chalet. We'd been warned about blizzard, which actually came. In strong winds and frequent rains we made it to the highest point of the trail, where we had spent night in a tent. The morning greeted us with couple inches of snow. The first two days had been through so-called "rainbow mountains" with beautiful views, strong winds, weather changing every few seconds. After we landed in Hvanngil chalet, we were pretty happy to accept the shelter.

The route continues over flat black volcanic fields. The landscape is rather dull and monotonous, with nice hills on the horizon. Weather follows Icelandic standard, it is constantly drizzling with occassional rains and few seconds long sun shows. We decided to press on a bit and joined two segments of the route, finishing Laugavegur in Volcano Huts site.

Last portion of the trip was two day trail Fimmvörþuháls heading between two glaciers. Initial ascent was quite easy, moving from Volcano Huts valley to the glacier field on the top. On open fields it started raining again and it kept on lava fields, ice and snow fields, and everywhere else. Fortunately near highest point of the trail there was a chalet. The shelter, some dry place without wind, and a bit of beer helped a lot. The other day was descent to Skogar winding around a river with many waterfalls. It kept raining all day, but vision of close end moved us through all day with a good mood. After tasting great fish&chips, enjoying thermal swimming pool at Hvolsvöllur, and day in Reykjavik we successfully finished this trip.

Week in Austria, especially Lechtaller Alp mountains. The Eagle Way is long distance trail. We picked last couple sections which were marked as difficult and rightly so. In the hindsight it was wonderful move, with many steep saddles, large valleys and varying beautiful landscape.

Houseboat at Vltava river. First part from Hluboka chateau to Orlik dam.

From Orlik dam back to Hluboka. Castle Zvikov and back.

Since COVID-19 is everywhere, we tried to avoid people as much as possible. There are a mountains following Polish-Czech border called Rychlebske hory. As there are no chalets and the ridge is couple days walk, only people willing to drag your baggage and tent go there, promising much less people than in other areas. It turned out to be good choice and a lot of fun.

After traverse over Rychlebske mountains we needed to recover and enjoy some silent days without much effort. So we stayed four days on mountain chalet called Paprsek (Lightbeam), doing small trips around looking for mushrooms, observation towers nearby or swimming pool in one nearby village.

First part of week-long holiday with kids in Slovakia. Starting with mountain trips at Mala Fatra mountains and two nights at a chalet. Next stop was in thermal spa town Besenova, sleeping in koliba (Slovakia traditional pub/accomodation) and some visits to baths. Despite (or because of) pretty cold temperatures and rainy days, it was memorable experience.

Moving forward to town of Oravice in area northern from Western Tatras. It sports thermal spas, too. It also offered nice area for mountain hikes, with views to rocky faces and a lot of nature wonders.

A vacation after the business trip to Arizona. This first part of the series follows us on Superstition Mountains, Watson Lake in Prescott and first canyon close to Page called Stateline Canyon.

The trip continues in Utah, close to the town of Kanab. After some rope training last day we used the rope quite extensively in Diana Throne canyon, walked through very nice Peek-a-boo canyon and next day did long trail through Lick Wash canyon.

Final part of our Southwest trip takes place mostly in Arizona. We made nice Blue Pools Slot Canyon, did small hike close to Glen Canyon Dam and on our way back to Phoenix visited Sedona. Due to lack of time we just did short Submarine Rock trail.

Second trip to Madeira island allowed us to visit places we missed last time, namely Porto Moniz with ocean swimming pools, starting part of MIUT trail, and a lot of beautiful levada areas like 25 waterfalls.

Second part of our Madeira trek led us to famous are of 25 fontes (springs). With almost unbeaten track down the valley it had quite difficult start followed by slow ascent to Rabaçal. Following levada do Paul showed dry face of the island. Around camping site Estanquinhos we switched again the landscape to wet forests of north part of Madeira, with some nice tunnels along levada do Norte.

The summer vacation with kids. We abandoned any plans to go anywhere too far and picked close countries - Austria and Hungary for short road-trip. Packed with two tents we did first stop in Marchegg for famous stork trails and second in Mosonmagyarovar for thermal enjoyment and Hungarian cuisine.

Second part of our week-long trip to Hungary and its almost-sea Balaton lake. It was wonderful summer vacation with swimming in shallow waters of the lake, melons, ice cream, camping, running and having fun. On the route back we visited romantic castle of Sumeg and thermal baths at Mesteri.

In central part of southern Norway, bordering to the north with railway between Oslo and Bergen is largest mountain plateau in Europe. Elevation is slightly above 1000 meters featuring rocky terrain on the north in area close to Hardangerjøkulen glacier. More to the south it slowly changes to grassy valleys with many lakes and rivers.

Walking further westward through moon-like countryside, wrapped only with stones, grass, valleys with water, and sheep.

Final part of walk on Hardangervidda plain, slow descent within wonderful landscape to Eidfjord valley. We found a camp on the shore where we stayed one night. Finally we got a hot shower and nice fishy dinner. The next day we moved with a bus to Geilo, town known for its skiing area. Also it is one of train stops on the route from Bergen to Oslo.

Last days of our Norway vacation in the capital city of Oslo. We found plenty of interesting facts in polar expedition museum built around the famous sailing ship Fram. With borrowed bicycle it was easy to get there and also to our next stop, well known Vigeland park with myriads of statues. Then we just strolled around the city and in the port, getting along with atmosphere and dining.

Our kids never saw any kind of sea, we never dared to travel that far. This one had number of firsts - first flight, first sea swimming, first island. But above that it was nice vacation that all of us enjoyed. Half was in Dubrovnik's port Gruz, other half on close Elaphiti island called Lopud.

Alice got a desk game called Tokaido for her birthday. The theme is pilgrimage from Japan town Kyoto to Edo (which is now Tokyo). Along the way you contribute to shrines, enjoy sea-side views, bath in hot springs, and taste great food. The playing of the game inspired us to visit Japan. The Tokaido (Way of Eastern Sea in japanese) no longer exists, but we found other pilgrim trails called Kumano Kodo. Pictures in this article are from Osaka.

Koyasan, central town of Shingon buddhism, is located southern of Osaka in raising slopes of Kii Mountain range. There are no hotels, but you can stay within buddhist temples. It boasts many gates, statues, gardens, shrines, and templates. One of largest is located in Okunoin graveyard, and it is said that founder Kukai (post-humously named Koibo Daishi) is still there in deep meditation.

Kumano Kodo Kohechi is an ancient pilgrim trail from Koyasan to the shrine or Hongu Taisha. It is about 70 kilometers long and usually takes about four days. Each leg ends in a saddle or valley - it is possible to arrange an accomodation or transportation, but it requires to speak Japan. We did two days of travel there and then had to move out to let Jana (Alice's sister) to return to Osaka. We continued further to Wataze Onsen for a camp with nice spa area.

Last part of the trail ended in the town of Hongu Taisha, with large central shrine. All the journeys started here. Our steps continued along the Nakahechi trail, to the western coast of Kii peninsula. We met many nice people, enjoyed onsen in mountains, seen many shrines, and tasted great Japan cuisine.

Last article about our trip to Japan. Photos are from one day we spent in Nara, the oldest Japan capital with beautiful temples with deer and nice atmosphere. Remaining photos are from Kyoto, the Japan capital before Tokyo. We really enjoyed the city, its people, temples, and cuisine.

First set of photos from Madeira. The island belongs to Portuagal and is famous for its very steep mountains, reaching over 1800 meter above sea level. After arriving in the night to Santa Cruz airport, we were lucky to catch an aerobus to centre of Madeira's capital, Funchal city, where was our hotel. The next day we went to get a feeling of the city, and also prepare for upcoming trip to the mountains.

During the Funchal stay we managed to buy gas cartridge and figured out how to get bus to our mountain's starting point, Encumeada saddle. This article has pictures from first two days in the mountains, first travering hike to the town of Curral das Freiras, the other ascent back to the main ridge and further to the highest point of Madeira island, the Pico Ruivo peak.

The most difficult portion of our mountain trip - the crest between Pico Ruivo and Pico Areeiro followed by descent along Levada do Blandy and Levada do Furado.

Few last days at Madeira island. We left mountains and get down to the seashore town called Machico. It was actually first place settled on Madeira, because the coast in otherwise very steep rocky shores provided provided good shield against hard sea. One day took us to the São Lourenço - narrow tail of the island, deserted from the wind. We also visited whale museum in Caniçal and enjoyed sea water on nice beaches.

On our return from Madeira we stopped for two nights in Lisbon, capital of Portugal. We visited number of nice places, stopped for wonderful lunch at Mercado da Ribeira (Riverside Market), and took a boat to see the city from waves of river Tejo.

Alice wrote: Six years passed since our last large vacation without kids. Suprisingly, without much planning. Roman went to a business trip to Phoenix, Arizona, and I came after him to spent ten days on north Arizona and southern Utah. Pictures here are from Phoenix Butterfly museum and hiking on Squaw Peak and climbing Pinnacle Peak.

This article contains photos from beginning of our trip - travel to the north, night at Flagstaff, stop at Monument Valley, and couple days spent in Moab, center of outdoor laid amid three wonderful areas - Arches NP, Canyonlands NP, and La Sal Mountains.

Visit of interesting Moab museum and heading into wilderness in Escalante. We discovered beauty of narrow slot canyons carved out in soft sandstone by water and walked good number of them.

Last "few" miles from our vacation in Utah and Arizona. Wonderful area of Escalante, vast, scarcely settled land or rock and praire. Through the are there is winding dirt road called Hole-in-the-rock. From that there is great number of small roads, which lead to even smaller trails. Once of those we hiked was Red Breaks slot canyon. On the way back to Phoenix we also did Blue Pools slot canyon, first where we had to use a rope for rapelling. Last stop was in snowy Williams in zoo called Bearizona.

Last year we enjoyed brief visit to Sec dam area, so this year we decided to try it again, this time for whole week. We hired a chalet with small boat and spent time on trips, games, boat exploration of the dam, guitar play on evenings and other nice activities. Despite few rainy days it was wonderfull time.

We spent whole week at Bozenov place, small camp close to Zabreh in Central Moravia. This was mostly family entertainment, including bathing place, old castle, farm animals and number of walks around.

Business trip to China city of Xi'an, located in western part of the country. With more than 8 million inhabitants it is one of oldest cities in China, it even used to be a capital city and still is very important cultural, educational, and industrial centre.

Trip over observation point Zlaty (Golden) Chlum. Relatively short trip to high point above Jeseniky town, but we managed to find gold mine information path, lost the trail for good part of the ascent, eat great food at cottage near Devil's rock area and return just in time to catch our train.

Second trip was finally two-day endeavour. We picked a cottage called Paprsek ("Light ray" in czech) in western part of the mountain range and then found some way we never went before. It was quite adventurous, because the path was off beaten track and it led through a cattle area. Fortunately we just heard the sounds, but even those were pretty scary.

Third trip - Alice found bunch of old quarries filled with water, so we can dip ourselves time from time. First day was supposed to be relaxing, other more demanding, but it turned out to be exactly the opposite. First day was very long and good elevation, while second day was pretty quick and easy.

One week that we spent in czech mountains. It came as surprise offer from our friends who had booked accomodation, but the other couple cancelled shortly before the trip. We accepted and never regret. It was rather easy to take care about three small kids and at the same time get some nice downhill skiing. We were also lucky for the weather. Alltogether wonderful time.

One week of vacation in Hostyn mountains in the hotel Vsemina. Ad promised swimming pool, outdoor activities and many children playground. We were a little afraid how it goes, but it turned out very nice. Not too many people were there and Dan was really happy, especially once we found trampoline. We made couple of trips around the place, seen festival on Lukov castle and visited Zoo in Lesna.

Alice and her sister went to London for couple days. She just needed a rest from maternity. See nice pictures from autumn city.

London - continued. See pictures of Tower Bridge, Greenwich, Parliament or Madame Tussaud's wax figures.

Our vacation have changed since Dan was born. Basic constraints were two. The place should not be very far, because we cannot handle the cry for more than two hours. And good accomodation. Thus we have chosen Highlands, small mountains about 70 kilometers from Brno. Biking and walking around, however mostly from one sandbox to another, to keep Dan happy.

Our first vacation with recently born son Daniel. We carefully choose location close to Brno where we live and picked nice hotel just next to Plumlov castle. During the week we did trips around and visited cathedral in Olomouc as well as hiked highest hill of Hana region - Velky Kosir.

This was the first time we dared to take our bikes somewhere far from our home. Packed in paper boxes they flew with us to Marseille airport and then endured whole week carrying of us with all we needed, like food, tent or bike tools.

Second bunch of photos from Provence region. We got quite inside and camped near the town of Arles. From this location we conducted many trips to the north - Tarascon and Avignon - and to the south-west - to the national park Camarque, known for white horse breed.

The journey around Provence continues. Pictures from Avignon, Tarascon, national park Camarque. Enjoy.

After a week on a bike we finally returned to Marseille. Since we did not dare going highways by bike we rather used bus and spent whole day walking and exploring the city. It is built around historic port and middle-ages fortification still watch the entry. Above looms monumental cathedral and offers wonderful overlook to city around.

Slovakia offer us many great mountains. This time we picked Western Tatras, usually called Rohace (Horny mountains) by locals. The plan was to hike whole ridge, but adverse weather with strong rain and fog forced us to go down to other side soon after we make it to the top.

Our second attempt to traverse ridge of Western Tatras in Slovakia. This time we succeeded a little more, making significant part of main ridge, but adverse weather once again stopped our pace.

Third time in Western Tatras in Slovakia. The most demanding route over most exposed area in the center of mountains. The weather went against the forecast and it was quite nice during our day. However at the end of the Saturday we felt very tired and Vit has troubles with his knees.

Last two months I was in Phoenix, Arizona. Not only working there, I also had a vacation during my stay, traveling some interesting places in vicinity. This is the first article of America series.

Few photos from PIMA Air and Space Museum located in Tucson, Arizona. About 170 different types of airplane is exhibited here. Really interesting collection for any aviation enthusiast.

Some photos from our trip to Superstition Mountains, the range located eastern from Phoenix, about five miles north-east from Apache junction.

Some photos from our trip to the Grand Canyon National Park. The descent down and the way back up showed us what the "Grand" means, also we experienced really interesting trip that my wife calls reversed-mountain.

Pictures from famous Zion National Park. We spent three days in vicinity and hiked Angel's Landing, Observation Point, Echo Canyon, Hidden Canyon and Emerald Pools. Really amazing piece of rock carved over years by Virgin River.

Bryce Canyon is interesting area of delicately carved spires in red color. The national park offers three amphiteathers to watch, hike and enjoy.

Two days of visit in Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument. Very deserted, but beautiful area on Utah's southern border. We trailed to Upper Calf Creek, tried to ride to the Hole in the Rock and hiked canyon in area below the Yellow Rock.

Arizona is the state of multitude of contrasts. On the one side there is a hot desert with dry rocks, on the other there are mountains covered with snow. Both luring people like us to climb or hike there.

Visit in Sedona area. One trail was so called West Fork Trail in the Oak Canyon, second stop was in town of Sedona with beautiful views to whole areas of red rocks.

Pictures from our visit to Desert Botanic Garden in Phoenix. On fenced area you can see unbelievable number of various cactuses. Also many interesting information about desert animals and about whole ecosystem of Sonora desert.

Because of aircraft carrier museum we visited San Diego and were surprised by nice coastal city, very green and inspirating. Photos in this article are from walking the city and visiting SeaWorld park.

During the stay in San Diego I must seen the aircraft carrier USS Midway, that is on display in San Diego Bay. Six hours on board was not enough to thoroughly inspect interesting aspects of the ship. In one word - amazing.

During return from San Diego we splitted 500 mile long way and stopped for night and day in Joshua Tree National Park. Night just below stairy sky and moving trees was cold, but unforgettable, then we made few trips in the park.

Nine hours changing flight from Phoenix to Prague we spent visiting New York City, especially what we know about it - Manhattan. Having slept almost whole time, blindly seen Central Park, Empire State Building and Broadway.

Almost complete week on bike travelling near south border of Czech republic - it is that with Austria. Nice countryside changed with fish farming, you can see many artificial lakes there.

This vacation we decided to spend on Corsica, small, but mountaineous island in Mediterranean sea. Here is the arrival onto Corsica's biggest port named Bastia, some sea fun and then move in mountains through pass called Scala di Santa Regina = A stairway of the queen.

First few days in Corsica mountains. The testing of our condition by ascent to Corsician Matterhorn - Paglia Orga. Following day started four-day trip over well famous trail GR20. The beautiful lake Lac de Nino with horses all around and more lakes next day.

This is the highest and the most difficult part of our trekking over Corsica mountains. Monte Rotondo, is second highest summit. Monte D'Oro, the beautiful pyramid. Monte Cinto, the highest one. It took a loot of sweat, but as a reward we got amazing landscape of mountains with sea in distance.

Some photo remains of Corsica. Mostly seashore areas where important towns are laying. Pictures are from Bastia and Ajaccio.

Once one of the richest towns of Europe, important seaport, where the best goods from India was to buy. That was Amsterdam of 17th century. We explored this city now, and were not disappointed.

Start of our honeymoon. We decided to go to the highest mountains of Slovakia - The High Tatras. We were a little afraid of ice and snow danger, but it turned out to be really fine.

Our honeymoon continues. After dramatic time near Green lake the remaining part is devoted to slovak cuisine, photography (the early morning panorama) and a bit of hiking.

The beginning of one week long hike over some Slovakia mountains. We had started in Blatnica and traverse over Velka Fatra. A few days later we reached Ruzomberok, dirty and sweat through. Before next part we must find some water

Our trip continues ... we could clean ourselves in blue waters of Liptovska Mara. Then followed Rohace, part of Western Tatras. Sharp ridges and deep valleys, beautiful sceneries.

Sitting in the train, looking forward to next week that we are going to spend in Jeseniky mountains. We took all our ski equipment and tried to wreck ourselves there. We were mostly successful I had to say.

In Czech republic there was large pre-WW2 fortification system, built on French patterns. Large forts made of concrete was armed mainly by machine guns and should stop enemy (Hitler's Germany in this case) from penetration into republic. This article was translated into English

Paris - city of cities. Capital town when you talk about fashion, fine arts or gastronomic experiences. Coffee bars, small shops, green boulevards. Beautiful iron tower designed by Alexandre Eiffel, monumental cathedral of Notre Dame, iron and glass shining skyscrapers in La Defence. Hot and full of life town on Seina river. Welcome there ...

Some photos from Paris, mostly about food. How to eat shrimp. Some cloudy pictures from La Defence, skyscrapers town along with some sunny pictures from botanic garden.

Last article about Paris. Fly through french history, shown upon old buildings, churches and domes. Last few pictures are from Centre de Villette - a park containing biggest technical museum in Europe. Great technical exposition, 3D cinemas, real submarine ready for your visit. See some views.

In Italy you can find a lot of great things, for example the mountains and ice-cream, which is there called gellato. We tried both during our one week trip around Northern Dolomits.

Best of our climbing and hiking here happens in second part of week. The most beautiful Via Ferata with fine views and snowy ascent on the highest mountain of Sella Group, the Piz Boe, 3152m.

First stop of our Croatia trip. In Hungary, near Balaton lake there is town Heviz. It is famous for its thermal springs - warm water fill the small natural pool and there is a wooden castle built on. Also nice flowers were all around there.

Second stop was to visit Plitvice lakes - a river with content of calcite built some natural barriers there and a lot of lakes appears. Entrance fee is six euro. How natural.

What I do not like very much is walrusing around the beach. So I persuaded Alice to make short trip to mountains towered above Makarska town. I was nearly one and half kilometer in vertical distance, hot sun above head. Mind you, the beer after return we loved.

Some photos from summer holiday. Nice sea, ancient beautiful cities and full days of sunshine.

I like sea and taking photographs. The trip to the Adriatic sea was opportunity to try another photographic discipline - taking snaps under the water. So I bought a simple and cheap camera made by Fuji, and tried to use it. Some snaps were not as bad as I expected, so you can see some of them here. I also broke the case to see, how is it made.

One week spent on the mountains, namely on Julian Alps in Slovenia. It was wonderful, by the way we climb up the highest mountain there, Triglav. It is so far our record.