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Exploring and Hiking Cinque Terre in Italy

We spent the last week of December 2022 at the Tyrrhenian coast of Italy, and decided to explore the incredible picturesque villages and landscapes which make up the Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The five villages are Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterossa al Mare,…

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Exploring and Hiking Cinque Terre - there is more parking options for boats than cars at this UNESCO site

What is a neck gaiter and what is it useful for?

I got my first neck gaiter in 2008 as a part of the promotional stuff you get in marathon bags. At first, I didn’t know what the tube-shaped piece of fabric was supposed to be used for but after a little bit of research I figured out that it’s a neck gaiter. I checked how…

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Neck gaiters laid out flat

Hiking with a Toddler: Tips and Advice

It is nothing short of wonderful to take your kids, big or small, with you out in nature for a hiking trip. All children are different, but there are still some common traits and needs for the different age groups when venturing out in the blue. Previously I wrote the article Hiking with a Baby:…

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Hiking with a toddler - be sure to lower the cockpit of the child carrier backpack as the child grows

Softshell vs Hardshell Jackets – What to choose?

If you need a jacket for protection against rain and wind, you can choose between a hardshell or a softshell jacket. While there are many similarities between hardshell and softshell jackets, the two garment types are ultimately made for different weather conditions. They also differ by breathability, weight, drying time, price and more. I own…

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Softshell vs Hardshell Jackets: Left a Hardshell jacket and right a Softshell jacket

Ibex Merino Journey T-shirt for Women Review

In summer I received two t-shirts from Ibex Merino, while Blaz got a pair of hiking boxers in return for unbiased reviews. I previously reviewed the Ibex Merino Tencel t-shirt which was particularly great for hot weather, while the Ibex Journey t-shirt is a more classic Merino-Nylon blend (89%/11%). Nevertheless, it is actually my first…

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Ibex Journey T-Shirt for Women - from the side.

Mount Etna Hiking Trail – Hiking in Sicily

In October 2022 we went on our honeymoon to Sicily, Italy’s largest island, which is home to the notoriously active volcano Mount Etna. Already in Catania airport you will be flooded with commercials and options for guided trips to the mountain, but these are quite pricey, and we wanted to be able to walk at our own pace, with…

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Mount Etna Hiking Trail - walking more or less along the dirt road up towards Belvedere

Ibex Merino Natural Boxers Review

A pair of good hiking boxers makes hiking more comfortable and reduces the chance of your skin getting chafed and rubbed in sensitive areas. In the summer we got activewear from the American brand Ibex for testing. Ibex specializes in Merino wool clothing and is known for producing top-notch hiking apparel. I received the Ibex…

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Ibex Natural Boxers - laid out flat

Kuhl Trekr Shorts for Women – Review

The American outdoor brand Kuhl is known for their high-quality performance wear, and especially pants and bottoms. Therefore, I was very excited when I got the opportunity to test a pair of the brand’s hiking shorts of my choice in return for an unbiased review. I chose the popular Kuhl Trekr 11’’ shorts as I…

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Kuhl Trekr Shorts on trail

Logar Valley – Rinka Waterfall Hiking Trail – Hiking the Alps

The Logar Valley (Logarska Dolina) is a picturesque Slovenian alpine valley surrounded by the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. It offers a relatively flat and easy trail called Pot po Logarski Dolini, which runs southwest through the nine kilometers long valley and ends at the Rinka waterfall at the end of the valley, while offering spectacular views on the towering peaks surrounding…

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Logar Valley Hiking Trail - heading back downhill

Ibex Merino Tencel T-shirt for Women Review

For the past two years I noticed that more and more brands specializing in Merino clothing have begun offering base layers made of a mix of Merino wool and Tencel fibers. I have been curious to see what the fuss was about, and I was thus very excited when the American Merino specialist Ibex reached…

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Ibex Merino Tencel T-shirt - chest pocket is mostly decorative