Burano, colorful superb of Venezia

We started from Società Canottieri Treporti, were you can put easly kayaks on the water. Laggon of Venecia is very shallow and only on the fairway you have to be careful. Still we have sea kayaks. Water is very warm so even if you fall into the water, nothing happens. We jumped on puropose to have some refreshemnt. Burano is much more coloreful then Veneciaz and smaller - like the version of Venecia for children. It is also reachable by regular connection for turists so you do not need to go there by kayay.

Kayaking through Prague

One day rout from Praha-Modrany to Praha-Troja, ~14 km on Vltava river. On the way there are two locks that let to omit high weirs. Just be calrfull to choose the proper side of the river to land in the lock and not on the weir - worht to check a map before. The highlights are the Charles Bridge and Prague's Venice (very small on the left from Charles Bridge).

Slovak Paradise

Slovak Paradise is a paradise. Beautiful nature and optimal conditions for hot days: rocks, forest, river, wtarefals protecting from the high temperature. Main recommendation is: start early in the morning, because later it might be crowded. We started around 7 in the morning and was nearly empty. We chose the trial: Prielom Hornadu and Kláštorská roklina. On the end (peak) of the Kláštorská roklina are  the ruins of a Carthusian monastery and the restaurant. We did the trail with 4 and 10 year old. 4 year old was on the rope of me husband for the security reasons. 

Spandau - Sacrow by bike

From Spandau to Sacrow one can get by very good bike roads with beautiful landscape, especially along the west cost of Havel river. The rout is nearly 40 km and suites for one day trip with kids (4 years old on the Trail gator connection visible on the picture below).

Korfos - Ermioni, saling with childeren along Peloponez peninsula

In the beginning of October the weather in Greece was, for us used to Baltic, like in the middle of the summer. Water 24, air 28 degrees, what to wish more. The landscape was fresh green - it looked like a second spring this year. We were swimming, sunbathing, sailing, walking through beautiful islands. Food is local and delicious (we eat lot of fresh vegetables, fishes and sea food) and people very nice and most of them sufficiently English speaking. We liked it more then Croatia. Harbors are very cheap (4-5 euro for a night on 33ft yacht, comparing to 40-50 in Croatia) with lots of Taverns serving great food and wine, so we also enjoyed some night live. In Ermioni we had a dancing party on the wharf with nice crew of neighboring catamaran from Romania. The most picture square views we had on the Island Hydra (we walked to the old monastery and mount Eros). On the Methane Island we had a bath in warm spring going from under the volcano. Some members of the crew were also catching tuna fishes, octopuses and others so we had a lot of delicious food on board. This time we had a crewed yacht with captain (Jirka) who took us and recommend us the best places everywhere around and told us many stories about Greece as he lives there already since 3 years. We can recommend his services to take cruise with him. Just go and try sailing in Greece.

Poros

Poros

The youngest part of the crew

Hydra island

On Eros pick

Methane Island, sulfuric water flows into the sea

Radon water spring on Methana Island

Viola flowers - spring is around

Liptovský Mikuláš city for mountains and water

Liptovský Mikuláš has perfect train connection with Berlin (train to Prague and then short change into the night train Prague -Liptovský Mikuláš). Theris is an offer to buy a place with a bad in the train. You fall asleep in Prague and weak up in the morning in Liptovský Mikuláš. On the spot there are of course great hiking tours (fir bigger children) but also huge aqua park (Tatralandia) lake and river. Enjoy.

Fürstenwalde - Hangelsberg one day trip on kayak

Nice nature and calm river of Spree invites Berliners, and not only, for very nice route. We were lucky to do it by hot weather so we stop and swim and grill on the way. Start and endpoint are near bey train station so kayaking from A to B creates no problem on how to get back. Kayaks or canoes can be rent e.g. in KSS Canoeing Spree GmbH .

Kayaking on Archipelago Sea, Finland

This time we went on a trip without kids. Whole Finland is very safe and kid friendly, however kayaking on the sea was a bit too much for our kids. It would be definitely possible taking them for one day but not for a one week round trip. The winds might become quite heavy or waves too high. Plus sometimes it is nice to spend some time just as a pair.

To begin with: there were very little mosquitoes (because of the wind from the sea) and it was warm (20-25) which was perfect, because in the middle Europe it was this week when was 35-38 degrees. So all that we were afraid about, did not happen.

The coastline in National Park Archipelago is very beautiful - maps don’t lie, just islands, islands and island. Just behind the corner you see that the land you have seen from the distance is actually yet another island. Not prolonging of the one near you. The rocks smooth in the last ice age are heated from the sun, inviting you to land on the island and rest there. There were no people there(!). One can just choose some island for a rest or for a night and have it exclusively.

On lots of islands is some cottage or sauna, but even in the top season most of the cottages were empty. On the island Noto we camped on the camping site with sauna and open kitchen. As everywhere in Finland the camping sites are perfectly prepared, with wood and very clean. There is almost no plastic waste anywhere.

It is highly recommended using GPS and electronic maps for navigation. It would be too easy getting lost. Check the weather forecast regularly is a must. The cell phone coverage is excellent everywhere. At the end of our journey we’ve paddled during the wind 9 in Beaufort scale, however it was manageable while being hidden behind the islands. Just do not go against the wind or on open water. Even by so strong wind the waves are not too high between the islands. On the open sea it could be too much.

There were no people but we also have an impression that there are not too many animals and we did not manage to catch any fish.

We enjoyed a lot. Kayak is good choice for Archipelago (without kids). I can also image to visit that place again with kids on a sailing boat.

Kunsterspring: all day nature experience

In Kunsterspring you can spend a nice day with all day nature experience.

Kochquelle. The all valley in Kunsterspring is full of springs. The most insteresting from them is Kochquelle (Boiling spring). The temperature of the water is 8 degrees Celsius in winter and summer. The name is coming from its outlook which is like in boiling t pot. The water is very clean at offers a living space for sensitives crampons. The path in the valley is not suitable for bicycles but we made it with pram (terrain one).

Smokehouse. Near the entrance to the valley is a smokehouse with fishes from own farm. Opened every day 9-17. Tasty place for lunch.

Zoo. On the other side to the entrance to the valley is a local zoo. I liked it because it is place with mainly native species typical for our climate - a bit like a farm but animals are not kept as food but as a pets.

Chalk Cliffs on Rügen

Just magical. Visit Karp Arkona or Jasmund National Park.

Czech Amazonka

Have your kid ever told you he wants to be jungle explorer? If yes, then the river Ploučnice is the the place for you. You can rent a canoe from the rental company meandry. They can also bring you to the start and pick up from the point were you finish. On the way you can experience Ploučnice gap, weirs, meander and in the landscape park (protected area) parts of the river lots of trees, bushes and wood in the water that make it a bit more difficult to go through but also build the impression of Amazonka.

Ploucnice gap

Ploucnice

Ploucnice

Weir, Ploucnice, km 52, Brennský Mlýn

Little Venice - Klein Venedig - in Berlin

Little Venice is located in the area of Tiefwerder and is located in the north-west of Berlin. Nature lovers will have a great time here. It is also an ideal starting point for boat trips, preferably on a paddle boat or kayak. You can rent a needed equipment in for example in http://www.der-bootsladen.de/ ( 27 euro/3 hours/4 people).In the bootsladen you will also get a map of the area. 3 hours is enough for a round. Or you can take it for a whole day and also relax on the lake, beach or in some restaurant near the water.