Milano 21 half-marathon

Running becomes increasing popular in Europe. Milano has two important half-marathons, Stramilano in March and Milano21 in November. Both are flat, fast courses and are considered among the best routes in Italy. This year, Milano21 saw over 6,000 finishers, a 33% increase compared to the previous edition. For years, Italy wasn't a top destination for … Continue reading Milano 21 half-marathon →

Valencia half-marathon

The Valencia half-marathon this year saw Yomif Kejelcha set a new world record at 57:30 amid perfect running conditions. The event was highly organized, with over 24,000 participants and strong support. While I faced stomach issues and finished in 2:07:47, my colleague Bobo achieved a personal best of 1:42:05.

Cardiff half-marathon

The Cardiff half-marathon, part of the Superhalfs series, surprised the author with its organization and enthusiastic support. Registration sells out quickly, requiring advance planning. The race features a scenic route and significant elevation changes, with the author completing it in under two hours. Cardiff, with its attractions, enhanced the overall experience.

Summer traditions from Krakow

Krakow, Poland's top tourist spot, hosts fascinating events in June. The Great Dragon Weekend features a dragon-themed parade and puppet show. Wianki, a midsummer festival, involves rituals like wreath-making, water activities, and bonfires. The Lajkonik Parade honors a 700-year-old tradition with music and medieval costumes. These unique traditions make Krakow a must-visit in June.

Helsinki

Helsinki, the capital of Finland since 1812, underwent various historical influences, including Russian governance and the Winter War with the Soviet Union. The city boasts both Lutheran and Orthodox cathedrals, along with modern architectural marvels like the Temppeliaukio Church. With its low pollution, excellent quality of life, and a historic marketplace, Helsinki offers a unique blend of modernity and tradition. Suomenlinna Island, once a military fortress, is now a popular tourist destination, offering museums and picturesque views. Additionally, Helsinki's abundance of parks, islands, and natural beauty make it a standout European city, especially during the late spring and summer.

Helsinki half-marathon

Helsinki offers three half-marathons over the summer, but the most interesting is the one during City Running Day. The main attraction of this half-marathon is finishing inside the stadium that hosted the 1952 Summer Olympic Games. There are not many races in the world inside an Olympic stadium. Another attraction is that most of the route … Continue reading Helsinki half-marathon →

San Francisco

I spent the first weekend of June in San Francisco before returning to Krakow. SF is a city I first visited in 2011 and then on several other occasions, the last time six years ago. I've always found San Francisco beautiful. The curiosity to see how the city evolved brought me here again. Before the … Continue reading San Francisco →

Seattle

At the end of May, I spent a week in Seattle. I could not help to compare the city with my first impressions from 6 or 7 years ago when I visited it for the first time. At that time, I liked the city very much because it was like San Francisco but more relaxed … Continue reading Seattle →

Trail of the Eagle’s Nests

This post will cover some spectacular tourist attractions close to Krakow. This is also a page of Poland's history that resembles, in certain ways, what happens during the last months in Ukraine. The castles on the Trail of the Eagle's Nests are located in the Polish Jura mountains, North of Krakow, and they can be … Continue reading Trail of the Eagle’s Nests →

Don’t look up

Early in January, during a road trip, I visited the charming medieval city of Torun. Among the attractions of the old city center is the house where the scientist Nicolaus Copernicus was born. The house is a museum dedicated to the memory of the astronomer for many years. Torun - birth house of Nicolaus Copernicus … Continue reading Don’t look up →