Jimmy Smith

You can see Prague in one day if you pick the main things and move with a margin. Below is a rough plan: the times are approximate and can be shifted. Morning. Prague Castle and Lesser Town 9:00 - go up to Prague Castle and see St. Vitus Cathedral 10:30 - walk around the courtyards of the castle complex 11:30 - go down to Lesser Town and have a coffee in a quiet cafe Afternoon. Charles Bridge and Old Town Square 13:00 - lunch in the Lesser Town or Old Town area 14:00 - walk across Charles Bridge, taking a look at the statues 15:00 - Old Town Square and the Orloj astronomical clock 16:00 - optionally, climb the town hall tower for a view Evening. The Vltava and the Embankments 18:00 - a calm walk along the Vltava embankment 19:30 - dinner at a Czech pub or restaurant 21:00 - evening view of the bridges and the city lights Important: opening hours, tickets and sight schedules change. Check them on official websites before the trip. Tips Wear comfortable shoes: the streets are paved with stone and sometimes go uphill It is better to visit the Castle and the bridge in the morning, while there are fewer people Leave a time margin for cafes and rest Watch your belongings in tourist places Bottom Line In one day in Prague you can realistically see the main places, but it is better not to try to fit everything in. Pick a route, leave a time margin, and the city will be remembered as a calm walk.

I travelled deep into the Egyptian Sahara expecting endless sand and dunes. But the White Desert was nothing like the desert I had imagined. Huge white chalk formations rise from the pale sand, resembling mushrooms, towers and fantastical figures. It feels as though giant sculptures have been left in the middle of an empty plain. The White Desert lies in Egypt's Western Desert, near Farafra Oasis. It is one of the country's most unusual natural attractions, famous for its striking white formations shaped by wind and erosion. Stone figures sculpted by nature This unusual landscape formed from ancient marine deposits. Over thousands of years, wind carried sand across the surface, gradually wearing away softer rock and leaving behind strange shapes. The result is a collection of formations resembling broad-capped mushrooms, stone columns and abstract sculptures. Some formations stand alone, while others gather in clusters. Walking around them is especially rewarding because their outlines change with every viewpoint. One rock may resemble an animal from one side and a giant flower from another. Against the sand, the white shapes stand out dramatically. The landscape changes colour throughout the day. Under the midday sun, the rocks appear almost snow-white, while towards evening they take on cream and golden tones. Soft shadows reveal their contours and make an ordinary walk feel like a visit to a natural sculpture gallery. Sunset and a starry sky over the Sahara The White Desert is particularly impressive near sunset. The sun sinks towards the horizon, the sand takes on warmer colours and the pale rocks gradually turn pink and honey-gold. The surroundings become quiet, and the vastness of the landscape feels even more striking. Some travellers stay overnight at a desert camp. After dark, the rocks become silhouettes beneath a wide starry sky. When the weather is clear and dust levels are low, the distance from city lights makes it possible to see countless stars and the Milky Way. In the morning, the first rays of sunlight transform the shapes and colours once again. A visit to the White Desert is often combined with the Black Desert, where dark rocky hills replace the pale formations. The contrast between the two landscapes reveals the remarkable variety of Egypt's Sahara. Tips for travellers Excursions usually start from Bahariya Oasis, where local guides organise trips in four-wheel-drive vehicles. Allow a full day to explore the White Desert or choose an itinerary with an overnight stay. Before travelling, check the national park's current visiting rules and camping arrangements. Bring plenty of drinking water, a hat, sun protection and comfortable shoes. Protecting yourself from the sun is essential, and warm clothing is useful for an overnight stay because temperatures can drop noticeably after sunset. Avoid climbing fragile formations, leaving rubbish or taking stones as souvenirs. The White Desert is memorable for its unusual rock shapes, silence and sense of connection with nature. It reveals a different side of Egypt, far beyond pyramids, ancient temples and seaside resorts. Here, the Sahara itself becomes an open-air museum.

Before traveling to Patagonia, I imagined encounters with wild animals very differently. I expected to see them from a distance - through a camera lens, from a car or from a viewing platform. So being able to simply walk along the coast near penguins became a real surprise. One of the best-known places for this experience is Punta Tombo in Chubut Province. It protects one of the most important continental colonies of Magellanic penguins. During the breeding season, the birds return here to nest and raise their chicks. At first, I noticed just one penguin The road to the coast passed through a harsh landscape. There was dry Patagonian steppe, low vegetation and strong wind. After the familiar photographs of Patagonia with dramatic mountains, this landscape looked surprisingly empty. I started along the trail and at first could not even see where the penguins were. Then I noticed one calmly walking along the path without paying attention to people. A few minutes later there was another, then several more. Soon I was looking at dozens of them. The most surprising thing was how unafraid they seemed. They walked toward their nests, returned from the sea and sometimes stopped right beside the trail. It felt as if we were the visitors on their territory. They were much more interesting than in photographs In real life, every penguin seemed to have its own personality. One marched forward with complete confidence, another stood still looking toward the sea, while a third suddenly started running with its funny waddling walk. It was especially interesting to watch them move between their nests and the coast. Some returned from the sea and passed very close by. Others stayed near their burrows while adult penguins checked on their chicks. At some point, I simply stopped taking photographs. I wanted to watch. There was the sound of wind, waves and birds. No show, no performance - just the coast, the steppe and animals going about their lives. It is important not to touch or feed the penguins or block their path. The best approach is to keep your distance and let the animals decide how close they want to come. Patagonia showed me a completely different side of wildlife I thought the strongest impression of Patagonia would come from mountains, glaciers or enormous distances. Instead, the encounter with penguins stayed with me in a completely different way. There is something special about standing in the windy steppe and watching a small penguin calmly walk past you. It does not pose, does not know about your camera and does not care that this moment may be the highlight of your day. Magellanic penguins can be seen in several places along Argentine Patagonia. Besides Punta Tombo, colonies can be found on Peninsula Valdes, at Cabo Dos Bahias, on Penguin Island and in other coastal areas. Their season generally runs from September to mid-April. After this encounter, I started seeing wildlife differently The main impression was not how close I got to the penguins. I realized that a genuine wildlife encounter is about being able to watch without interfering. The penguins continued their normal lives while I stood nearby. They returned from the sea, cared for their chicks, crossed the trails and disappeared among the bushes. That was what I liked most. No show and no performance. Just Patagonia, the ocean, the wind and thousands of penguins returning here every year along their natural routes.

Before my trip to Rio de Janeiro, I thought I already knew this city. I've seen pictures of Christ the Redeemer, Sugar Loaf, Copacabana, and Ipanema so many times that I've had a ready-made picture in my head for a long time. Mountains, ocean, beach, palm trees and eternal sunshine. But when I first went outside in Rio, I realized that the photos only show a very small part of this city. Rio turned out to be much more lively than I expected. The first thing that surprised me was how close the completely different worlds are here. You can walk along an ordinary city street, cars are rustling around, people are rushing about their business, and after a few minutes the ocean and huge green mountains suddenly open in front of you. I started just walking around without a specific route. First I went to the Copacabana. In the photos, the beach looks almost like a decoration, but in reality it lives its own life. Someone is playing volleyball, someone is running along the water, someone is sitting at a kiosk, and someone is just looking at the ocean. It doesn't feel like you're at one of Brazil's most famous tourist attractions. Later, I ended up in Ipanema. The atmosphere seemed even calmer there. People were sitting on the sand, talking, playing sports and waiting for the sunset. At some point, I stopped taking pictures and just sat down to watch what was happening. I thought Rio was just beaches and postcards. Of course, I couldn't leave without going up to Christ the Redeemer. I've seen him in photographs hundreds of times. But it wasn't even the monument itself that made the strongest impression, but the road up and the moment when the whole city opens up before your eyes. From the height, Rio looks completely different. Green mountains rise between the districts, the ocean is visible behind them, and dense urban buildings literally encircle the natural landscape. It becomes clear why the city cannot be perceived only as an ordinary metropolis. Then there was the Sugar Loaf. I was expecting a beautiful panorama, but I didn't expect how strange it would feel to be surrounded by mountains, water, beaches, islands, and a huge city at the same time. It seems as if several different places have somehow been brought together at one point. The most interesting thing started when I stopped looking for sights. On the third day, I decided not to plan anything at all. I just left the hotel and went where I wanted to go. That's when I liked Rio the most. I saw small cafes, old houses, street musicians, people who met after work, and ordinary city streets that you would never see on a tourist postcard. Music was playing somewhere, vendors were arguing somewhere, someone was sitting on the steps with coffee. The city seemed not to be a decoration for travelers, but a place where people really live. It was then that I realized why Rio is so difficult to convey with photographs. It cannot be reduced to Christ, the Copacabana, or the beautiful view from the mountain. The main thing here is the combination of nature, the city and a special rhythm of life. Now I understand why Rio is memorable. Before the trip, I imagined Rio as the perfect tropical city from a postcard. In reality, it turned out to be noisier, more complex, sometimes more chaotic and much more interesting. Here you can look at the ocean in the morning, find yourself in the middle of a huge city in the afternoon, listen to music on the street in the evening, and in a few minutes you can see the green mountains right between the houses again. It is this combination that remains in my memory. That's probably why I didn't want to make a list of the best places after Rio. I just wanted to go back and walk around the city for several hours without a route. Because the real Rio turned out to be completely different from how I imagined it from the photographs.

I had heard about cochinita pibil many times before I went to Yucatan. It was called one of the main dishes of the region, but for a long time I did not understand what was so special about it. In the end, I decided that the best way to figure it out was to just try her where she was born. The first acquaintance It was an ordinary local market in Yucatan. No expensive restaurant, beautiful food, or long menu. There were fresh tortillas on the counter, along with containers of meat, pickled red onions, and sauces. I could smell the smell even before I approached the seller. I was served some small tacos with cochinita pibil . The meat was so soft that it literally broke down into fibers. It had a characteristic reddish tinge due to its aroma, and the taste was both rich, spicy and slightly sour. Why is it cooked underground Then I learned the most interesting thing. The traditional cochinita pibil is prepared using the pib method - meat is wrapped in banana leaves, placed in a special container and cooked in an underground oven. Depending on the cooking method, the meat can stay there for several hours. It's the slow cooking that makes it so tender. The marinade uses ahiote, spices and bitter orange, which adds a characteristic sourness to the meat. The traditional recipe is considered part of both modern and Mayan Yucatan gastronomy. When I found out all this, the seemingly ordinary taco began to be perceived in a completely different way. It was not just a recipe, but a whole tradition that had been passed down for generations. And then there was the habanero Along with the meat, I was given pickled red onion and hot sauce . I decided that a little pepper definitely wouldn't hurt, and added just a little. I made a mistake. The pungent taste did not come immediately, but after a few seconds. At first it was delicious, then it became very spicy, and a moment later I was already looking for something to drink. The local habanero was clearly not going to become a secondary ingredient in my lunch. But it was the combination of soft meat, sour pickled onions and hot peppers that I remember the most. Each component was completely different separately, and together we got a very characteristic taste of Yucatan. Why has it become one of my favorite dishes? Later, I learned another interesting local tradition: in Yucatan, Sunday is especially closely associated with cochinita pibil . Early in the morning, it is sold at markets and street outlets in the form of tacos, cakes and other dishes. Now I understand why the locals love her so much. It's not just meat in a flatbread. One small taco combines Mayan culinary traditions, local spices, slow cooking and a very special culture of Yucatan. If I ever return to the peninsula, the first thing I will do is look for cochinita pibil again. Only next time I'll add habaneros much more carefully.

I had seen photos of Chichen Itza dozens of times before coming to Mexico. The pyramid was familiar even before I arrived - one of those places you recognize instantly. But standing in front of it in real life was completely different. The first view of El Castillo I entered the archaeological site in the morning and walked along the paths surrounded by trees. There were ruins and stone structures everywhere, but I was looking for one particular building. Then the trees opened up and I saw it. El Castillo, the Temple of Kukulcán. For a few seconds I just stood there. The pyramid looked much larger than I had imagined from photographs. Its perfectly symmetrical shape, enormous staircase and rows of stone steps were incredibly impressive. The structure is about 30 meters high and was built as the main monument of Chichén Itzá. What struck me most was the feeling of being in a place that had existed for centuries before any modern city around me. Chichén Itzá was one of the major centers of the Maya world and developed over almost a thousand years. The city also shows a mixture of Maya and Toltec architectural traditions. More than just a pyramid After spending some time near El Castillo, I continued deeper into the archaeological zone. That was when I realized that the pyramid was only one part of a much larger city. I walked past the Great Ball Court , where ancient ceremonial games were played, and then reached the Temple of the Warriors with its rows of columns. I also saw El Caracol, the famous circular structure traditionally associated with astronomical observations. Everywhere there were details carved into the stone - serpents, warriors, animals and geometric patterns. The longer I walked, the more difficult it became to imagine that these were once parts of a living city rather than simply archaeological ruins. A city built around water There was another interesting connection with the previous part of my trip. The name Chichén Itzá is associated with the cenotes of the area. The ancient city was established near natural water-filled cavities, which provided access to underground water. One of them, the Sacred Cenote, also had an important ritual role. After visiting the cenote a few days earlier, this made the history of Chichén Itzá feel even more connected to the landscape around it. By the time I left, I understood why this place had been on my list for so long. Photos can show you the pyramid, but they cannot show its scale, the heat, the silence between the ruins or the feeling of walking through a city that was already ancient long before our time. Chichén Itzá was not just a place I came to photograph. It became one of the moments of my trip that I knew I would remember long after leaving Mexico.

I wasn't going to jump into the water at all. After a few days of traveling in Yucatan, I just wanted to see something beautiful, relax a little and continue on the road. But when I arrived at Cenote X-Canché , the plans changed in just a few minutes. The road through the jungle The cenote is located near the archaeological complex of Ek Balam. From the entrance, you need to walk about 1.5 kilometers through the jungle . You can walk, rent a bike, or use local transportation. The road itself already created the right mood: there was dense greenery around, the heat was gradually receding into the shadows of the trees, and nothing was visible ahead. And then I heard water. A few more steps and a huge chasm opened up in front of me among the rocks. Below, about tens of meters below ground level, there was completely calm water. Cenote X-Canché is a semi-open cenote with a diameter of about 40 meters , surrounded by limestone walls and jungle. After the bright sun overhead, this place seemed almost unreal. I jumped anyway. A wooden staircase leads to the water. The lower I descended, the cooler the air became. It was hot upstairs, but here there was a completely different atmosphere - cool water, humid air, silence and the sounds of the jungle. I stood on the platform for a long time and looked down. It seemed that the easiest way to jump was until you came to the very edge. At the last moment, there was a completely normal human desire to turn around and go down the stairs. But I jumped anyway. The water turned out to be cool and so clear that at first it was difficult to understand its true depth. In some places, the water has a blue-green hue, and the sheer walls around it go up to the sunlight. After a few seconds, the fear completely disappeared, and all that remained was the feeling that I was in some kind of natural pool in the middle of the jungle. Why cenotes seem magical It was probably here that I finally realized where the feeling of mysticism around the cenotes of Yucatan came from. These are not just beautiful places to swim. The whole atmosphere makes you imagine what this forest looked like many centuries ago and why such water sources were of great importance to the Maya civilization. After bathing, I sat in the shade for a long time and didn't want to go anywhere. Nearby, you could relax in a hammock, eat local dishes or try other activities, such as zipline or rope descent. The most interesting thing is that X-Canché is only about 1.5 kilometers from Ek Balam. Therefore, these two places are ideally connected in one day: first the ancient Mayan city, then the descent into the cool cenote. When I left, it was hot and sunny upstairs again. But now I already knew that somewhere very close to the jungle there is this huge natural well with clear water. And it is precisely such places that are remembered much longer than the next attraction on the list.