Royal National Park | Day Hike: wedding Cake Rock | The best thing about visiting Australia is that scenic views and spectacular nature are just a sto

away - Fernwayer Travel Stories & Experiences

Australia

The best thing about visiting Australia is that scenic views and spectacular nature are just a stone's throw away, no matter where you are. If you're in Sydney, you won't get a better view of the ocean than walking through Royal National Park and taking Bundeena Drive to Marley Walk.

Passing through scenic heathland with small trees, you'll soon come to a bushwalk through a denser forest. We saw many native bird species, including the famous cockatoo, had a dip in one of the pools along the way, and took stunning sunset photos as you look out over the wild ocean. The tourist highlight is Wedding Cake Rock, but our personal star was Marley Beach, a dreamy, hidden sandy beach where you can relax and dip your feet in the refreshing water.

You can rent a car and drive directly to Bundeena, but we decided to take the train from Sydney to Cronulla and from there take the ferry to Bundeena.

Day Hike: wedding Cake Rock

United States

Canada

A visit to Fogo Island is all about the power of culture, art and community as catalysts for social and economic change. It’s a story of the indomitable spirit of people who refuse to give up their land.

First Impressions?  Minimalist winter scenery, it’s 🧊 season, one of Fogo Island’s seven  seasons. There are wooden Saltbox Houses, that must have leaped out of a child’s painting book. Reminders of fishing are everywhere. 

My favorite part of the trip is spending time with the islanders who do community orientations and cabin outings for visitors. These are people who are proud of their Irish or English heritage (seven or eight generations in Fogo Island notwithstanding) — who sing songs and tell stories of their ancestors, invite strangers into their homes to share salted cod and tea, take you on ski-doo for ice-fishing, teach you to forage for berries and show you how to preserve vegetables in mason jars to last through winter.

Far Away From Far Away

Mexico

The Mayan culture is one of the most important indigenous cultures in Southern Mexico. Artifacts from bygone times stretch far across the jungles of Quintana Roos and Chiapas. 

If you want to learn more about how indigenous peoples lived before colonization, don't miss the ruins of Palenque. Arguably the largest Mayan ruins on the continent, they're tucked away, deeply hidden in the Mexican jungle. The highlights of the actual ruins are the numerous temples, a palace and aqueducts, and of course, a guided tour where you can learn all about Mexico's history. If you venture out into the jungle, you'll encounter rare wildlife like monkeys, colorful birds, and giant snakes.

Take sunscreen, plenty of water, and some snacks, as the tour takes at least half a day.

Visit Ancient Mayan Ruins

Colombia

Morocco

I knew about this place since childhood and really wanted to get there, and when I arrived in Fez, it was not difficult to find it, because the smell from them was felt from a kilometer away))

Chouara Tannery

Georgia

Norway

I am sitting at a window ledge table in the kitchen of an authentic rorbu, a fishing hut on stilts. 

It’s after midnight during Midnattsol, but it’s hard to tear myself away from the view. Yesterday was bright and sunny, but today is stormy and the sea is asserting itself. 

This rorbu is located at the very end of the peninsula so there’s no escaping the force of the wind and the water in any of its rooms. The landing area has been left untouched – fishermen used to haul in their catch here via massive doors opening out to the sea – the old floorboards have gaps and you can see the sea underneath and hear the waves lashing on to the rocks. 

Reine is a scenic fishing village with bright red wooden huts steeped in tradition, once housing the fishermen who made their winter pilgrimage to the world’s most fertile cod fishing grounds. 

In summer, all that remains are the empty fish drying racks between houses, a reminder that – despite the stunning beauty, it’s a very harsh life.

Stay in a Rorbu

Spain

Whether you're a beginner kite surfer or an experienced surfer – Southern Spain is one of the best spots in Europe to practice all kinds of water sports. We spent a whole month on the beaches of Cadiz, jumping waves and visiting nearby tourist attractions. Tarifa is a bohemian town of shabby charm, with a lot of bars and nice places to eat Spanish bocadillos. Our host told us that the city is blessed with wind about 300 days a year, making it perfect for kitesurfing. There are many affordable surf schools for those who still have to learn – just walk around and ask for the weekly price. If surfing is not your thing, you can also go stand-up paddleboarding – or relax on the sandy beach, drink a fruity cocktail, and read a book about Spanish history.
 Also, Morocco is just a day trip away. Tangier, the fascinating city within 30 minutes of Tarifa, once populated by artists from all over the world, is worth spending a day or two there.

Tarifa Surf Mecca

Tanzania

On a cool morning drive in Ngorongoro Crater, we meet a pride of eleven hungry lions —  lean and menacing. We stay with them for five hours through several hunting attempts . 

🦁

One of the lionesses spots a herd of zebras. She masterfully rounds them up and sends them in the direction of her waiting pride. At the last minute though, the zebras, finding new energy or a brilliant leader, take a united front and flee. The zebras will live another day. 

Well, hello there! - say the lions to a group of wild buffaloes .. and quickly dissolve into the grass. The buffaloes can smell the lions. They start backing up and eventually escape. 

Next, the younger lions eye an ostrich In the distance. But it fluffs up its feathers with a disdainful air, and runs away.

- P  A  T  I  E  N  C  E  -

Mobile food is awfully hard to get your paws on. The lions decide to lie in the grass and wait it out. Someone will come by. It’s just a matter of time.

A Matter of Life

United Kingdom

Our plan: To walk through the magnificent Quiraing and climb to the base of the Needle, a 120 ft jagged pinnacle, for views of the Outer Hebrides.  

Weather forecast? Fair, says Harry, the winds will blow away the clouds and midges.

Highlights from the photo-hike: ☀️Awe-inspiring view of Loch Cleat (above). 💦 Scrambling over the steep cliffs on springy heather. 🐾 Checking out the structures that have been named — The Needle, The Prison, The Table — and naming those that haven’t. ⚡️Noting the exact moment when the weather turns on us. ❄️ Getting shrouded in mist and fog, and unwittingly playing hide-and-seek at the top of the ridge (this is, after all, where locals hid their sheep from raiding Vikings). 💨 Howling winds over 50 mph trying to gust us off the slopes. 💧Rain coming down in full force. ☁️ Feeling my spine tingle as clouds swirl around me in this unreal landscape.

Australia

New South Wales

Day Hike: wedding Cake Rock

Canada

Newfoundland and Labrador

Far Away From Far Away

Mexico

Chiapas

Visit Ancient Mayan Ruins

Morocco

Fez-Meknès

Chouara Tannery

Norway

Nordland

Stay in a Rorbu

Spain

Andalusia

Tarifa Surf Mecca

Tanzania

Arusha Region

A Matter of Life

United Kingdom

Scotland

Cinematic Drama