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.

Sailing on Szczecin Lagoon (Zalew Szczeciński, Stettiner Haff)

3 days round on Johnson 26 that we rent in Stepnica. First day we sail to Świnoujście. Second to Dziwnów (on Baltic Sea) and thought Wolin back to Stapinca on the third day. The marina in Dziwnów was much better then in Świnoujście - located closer to the beach, with place for washing the dishes and fishing port nearby. On night we slept on the anchor and enjoy the sunrise on the water.

JOMSBORG – VINETA WOLIN – Center of Slavs and Vikings

During our sailing trip on Szczecin Lagoon we stopped in Wolin. On the other side of the river Dziwna is JOMSBORG - reconstruction of city of Slavs and Vikings. In the village are not only building but also people living! and working there. You can meet them in the historical cloths and they will tell you about how it was to live is such a place, show you how to produce salt, bake a bread etc. I fully recommend.

Koněprusy caves: juorney in the time for the rainy day

In the cave there are stone roses that are 1,5 million years old. And many "newer" stalactites and stalagmites. Also in the Koněprusy Caves system, a large number of animal bones from 600,000 - 13,000 years ago, as well as human bones belonging to the Homo sapiens sapiens of about 13,000 years old, were found. In the Celtic times the area got its name: that means whiet horses. At the entrance to the cave is the symbol of Celtic women on the horse. Sometime between 1469 and 1472, a money-making workshop was set up on the upper floor to make fake coins. All this was forgotten and in 1950 the cave was rediscovered again and open to the public in 1959.

The tour in the cave is suitable for kinds age 4+ (no prams). It definitely makes an impression. Our kid also enjoyed a lot collecting the stones in the valley bellow the cave (yellow touristic path in the are of the cave). It is easy to find stones with seashells, small creatures and parts of plants. And you can allowed to take them with. Enjoy.

Skiing on Stóg Izerski

Stóg Izerski is the peak situated in the Polish part of the Jizera Mountains (near Świeradów Zdrój). Below the top is the upper station of Gondola that takes tourists, skier snowboarders, bikers in the summer and other lovers of mountains up the hill. We visited it in the winter season. This year there was there a lot of show, up to 2 m on the top! Gondola is kids and skiing beginners friendly. Also the read down the hill is not sharp. Till around 14 o'clock (in winter) the hill is on the sunny part of the mountain later the Sun hides behind the mountain. At the bottom station and in the neighborhood there are more small lifts for small kids (3 years old) or total beginners. Nice place to ski with kids but I was enjoining most the vies on the mountains pick going out of the clouds.

Skiing in Mikulov (German: Niklasberg)

Mikulov (German: Niklasberg) is a village in Teplice District surrounded by hills. Although not very high (869 m a.s.l.) are quite steep and offer also routes sharply going down. Near the bottom stations are places for beginner to learn. Additinaly there are many routs for Ski touring. Refer to the details on the area web page.

Tremsin (Třemšín) peak - walk in the forst

Třemšín is the peak in the southern part of the Central Bohemian Mountains Brdy. With a height of 827 m above sea level, it is the highest point of southern Brdy. Despite its dominating height, view is limited because the peak is covered with the trees. There is plan to build the tower for tourists there. Still the walk is nice, on the top is fireplace and the ruins of an old castle. On the way back we found an apple trees growing inside the forest. Still with apples in the end of December. Peak is also possible to reach with a terrain pram.