About

Travel addict, iPhone photographer, Balkan connoisseur and Master of Europe. Welcome to my travel life.

Hi, thanks for stopping by and wondering who is behind this hot mess of a website…it’s me, Larissa, aka “The Blonde Gypsy”. The moniker was mostly inspired by my grandmother who was the ultimate free spirit/performer/life of the party and taught me that the greatest adventures in life are usually unplanned – kind of like this blog.

 Though I never aspired to be a writer, I started storytelling online many years ago anyway to document my travels for myself and keep my parents and friends informed on what I was doing just like a majority of the other bloggers out there. After some pretty wild escapades into some pretty obscure destinations you wouldn’t expect to find me rocking up to solo and landing myself in unique situations with all kinds of colorful characters (see: Ukraine, Moldova, Transnistria, Romania, Chernobyl, the Baltics, and the deepest depths of the Balkans), this blog evolved into a space for me to write about places that not much had been written about before and show that you don’t have to be as “crazy” or “brave” to travel to them as you might think, especially alone. I also like to write about places that have been written about a million times in ways never written before, talk to strangers, drink local spirits with locals and sing karaoke…a lot.

I am fortunate to have traveled my whole life, but don’t expect to find too much “practical” information here like what to pack for a week in Paris or a breakdown of travel costs for a month through Southeast Asia. I’m just a girl who decided to make traveling a priority in her life and have always invested more in experiences abroad than anything else. If anything, I hope what you can find on here is a good time and inspiration to explore outside of the box as much as possible – and to not only travel to countries, but to connect with them.

If anything, I hope what you can find on here is a good time and inspiration to explore outside of the box as much as possible – and to not only travel to countries, but to connect with them.

After a good ten year run of living abroad in places like England (London) where I worked at Vivienne Westwood, Sweden (Malmö) where I completed a Master of Arts in European Studies at Lund University, Ukraine (Odessa) where I just partied under the guise of a magazine internship, and Kosovo (Prishtina) where I started working in tourism development and traveled around the entire Balkan region like it was nobody’s business, I’ve recently resettled back where I was born and raised in sunny California.

As much as I miss the travel rock star lifestyle of being on the road all the time, I’m super content at the moment not living out of a suitcase, but instead next to my family and the beach where I get to watch the sunset every single day over the Pacific. At the same time, I will always be completely unpredictable and will most probably continue making drastic life decisions (or crazy travel plans) in an hour or less, so watch this space.

This is the world through my eyes, hope you do enjoy ❤

105 Comments

  • Reply
    Francis Tapon
    February 17, 2012 at 9:44 am

    Larissa, I like your unconventional style. The world needs more people like you. Thanks for venturing into less traditional places.

    • Reply
      Larissa
      February 18, 2012 at 4:15 am

      Thank you, Francis – that is a huge compliment. I promise to keep venturing if you promise to keep reading. Your book looks awesome, by the way. Really looking forward to reviewing it :)

      • Reply
        Bill Warren
        October 7, 2012 at 8:46 am

        Larissa, how is the world traveler today? I write you from Sevastopol, Ukraine near the Black Sea. I am, among other things, an author and I think you have great writing skills and a good brain. You, as you must know, are one of the lucky ones who does not have to worry about money to travel on. I am from California. Born and raised in Pasadena. I have several web sites but none are a nice as yours. Who designed yours? Besides being an author (you want a copy of my latest book titled “Shipwrecks and Discoveries?”) I am an explorer sorta like Indiana Jones, possible owner of Navassa Island, West Indies (110 miles south of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and about midway between Jamaica and Haiti), professional singer in the Sinatra style and sound (he was a personal friend and promoter of mine about the time you were born :-), a former guest on the Dr. Phil TV show May 13, 2011 “Mail Order Brides”, former TV show talk show host (San Diego and Palm Springs), etc. Thank you for sharing part of your life with us readers.

        • Reply
          Larissa
          October 10, 2012 at 12:14 pm

          Wow. That is quite an impressive resume you’ve got there, Bill! Thank you for the nice comment, it has been my pleasure sharing what I can. I’m jealous of your location, I’ve been dying to go to Sevastopol and the Crimea. Will have to look you up once I finally make it down there! As for the design of my site, I did it mostly myself – just tweaked an existing template to my liking (hours and hours of trial and error). Keep on exploring and singing, sounds like it must be quite the interesting life :)

  • Reply
    stophavingaboringlife
    February 29, 2012 at 1:49 am

    I second Francis’ sentiments.

    • Reply
      Larissa
      February 29, 2012 at 3:11 am

      Big thanks, to my mentor/VFA

  • Reply
    Kiersten
    May 29, 2012 at 8:20 pm

    I just came across your blog and love it! Are you still in Sweden? I’ll be in Europe this summer. Would be awesome to see what kind of trouble two blondes could get into :)

    • Reply
      Larissa
      May 29, 2012 at 11:52 pm

      Thank you! I am still here and should be through the fall so definitely let me know if you make it up this way. Two blondes = double trouble for sure :)

  • Reply
    St Clair Newbern III
    June 24, 2012 at 6:43 pm

    Interesting.

  • Reply
    Turner
    July 11, 2012 at 12:58 pm

    Great photos and clean style. Me gusta. Also, have a special something for my iPhone photography (or some other more trendy word I don’t know). I think I like you Larissa. Yeah.

    Turner

    • Reply
      Larissa
      July 11, 2012 at 5:31 pm

      Turner, what a compliment. I think I like you, too. Let’s be friends?

      Larissa

      • Reply
        Turner
        July 12, 2012 at 12:28 pm

        [blush, divert eyes down] yah…

  • Reply
    myfriendfromzurich
    July 21, 2012 at 6:43 pm

    Larissa – love your blog!!
    Thanks for the inspiration! Wish I could travel as much!!

    • Reply
      Larissa
      July 21, 2012 at 8:06 pm

      Thank you so much, that means a lot! You can if you try to make it a priority :) I need to go to Zurich soon so will definitely contact you once I’m in your hood!

  • Reply
    Shawn
    August 4, 2012 at 11:41 am

    Great blog. I love your photos; they have a potent effect in making me want to visit those places. You definitely stand out in the plethora of travel blogs, with a great attitude about travel.
    And you’re gorgeous. Yet another great thing to come out of Sweden (ok, California).
    Ok, I’m finished.
    Keep up the good work!

    • Reply
      Larissa
      August 4, 2012 at 2:18 pm

      What nice thing to say and that makes me really happy to hear about my photos. That means my mission has been accomplished. Thanks for very kind words – hope to see you around here more often :)

  • Reply
    EDGYMIX-TRAVEL FOR FASHION
    August 29, 2012 at 8:02 pm

    LOVE..LOVE what you do..cus I am the same. Beautiful photos you have in here:)..and also beautiful you:)..keep it up Larissa:)

    • Reply
      Larissa
      August 31, 2012 at 11:39 am

      Thank you, Tammy! Love what you are doing too and glad you found me. Definitely let me know the next time you make it over to Europe!

  • Reply
    Bahadur
    January 25, 2013 at 3:02 pm

    Hey Larissa You are very cute,
    your profile is nice, , you can be a good model, and very famous

    • Reply
      Larissa
      January 25, 2013 at 10:19 pm

      Thank you, Bahadur :)

  • Reply
    Elliot B.
    February 12, 2013 at 6:05 pm

    Hello. Just happened across your blog. I really like your writing style and photos so I wanted to say so. Keep it up. I look forward to reading more :)

    Elliot
    We Are Adventure

    • Reply
      Larissa
      February 12, 2013 at 6:53 pm

      Thanks for saying so, Elliot! Will keep it coming for sure :)

  • Reply
    Elena
    March 13, 2013 at 12:55 am

    Cool site, Larissa.

    Will prob. be doing trans-siberian in Sept. maybe we’ll cross paths ; )

    enjoy the road…

    love & light

    el

    • Reply
      Larissa
      March 13, 2013 at 6:43 pm

      Thanks so much! Ahhh, you are doing my dream trip! That sounds amazing and I certainly hope our paths will cross. Either there or…LA? That’s where I am right now and it kind of looks like you are pretty often, too. Definitely let me know if you’re going to be around (or are around) in the next couple of months, would love to meet up.

  • Reply
    Malte
    May 8, 2013 at 6:24 pm

    Hey there,
    reading your blog for a quite some time now. I like how different it is from all the other travel blogs out there. Can’t put my finger on what it is exactly. A little less smooth, more grounded, maybe? Dunno. But it’s different! :D

    Re-Reading your posts on Eastern Europe at the moment, might travel there for 2-3 month in the summer.

    Keep the content coming.

    • Reply
      Larissa
      May 11, 2013 at 3:51 pm

      Hi Malte! Nice to hear from you and that you’ve been reading for a while. Hope less smooth and more grounded is a good thing :) Will keep the content coming for sure and definitely shoot me an email if you have more specific questions on any of the Eastern Euro places I’ve been!

  • Reply
    Name
    May 22, 2013 at 7:46 pm

    Obviously a prostitute, thats the only way she could afford her lifestyle

    • Reply
      Larissa
      May 25, 2013 at 10:17 am

      That would be a cool story, but no. Such a lifestyle can also be achieved by working hard and making sacrifices; however, I choose not to focus on that aspect for this blog, just the travel, so you would never know. Thanks for stopping by.

  • Reply
    Ruth
    August 16, 2013 at 5:32 am

    I recently discover your blog and have to say I am totally in love. Your posts make me laugh and your photos transport me to the places you visit. Keep rocking Europe!

    • Reply
      Larissa
      August 16, 2013 at 5:05 pm

      Hi Ruth! That means a lot, thanks for taking the time to tell me. I’m really glad to hear you’ve been enjoying it and believe me, I will never stop rocking Europe :)

  • Reply
    Viktor
    August 23, 2013 at 11:44 pm

    May your journeys around the world be great. Many good blessings for you.

    /Viktor, the swedish “tattare” “resande”.

    • Reply
      Larissa
      August 25, 2013 at 7:43 pm

      Thanks a lot, Viktor. So far so good!

  • Reply
    Paco
    November 6, 2013 at 11:30 pm

    Hey Larissa,
    I stumbled upon your blog while researching alternative ways of travel, your doing a great job! I am an avid traveller/DJ myself, and never found the patience to document all my travels on blog. Currently I am really into volunteer travelling. So far I have volunteered in Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Malawi, Tanzania and Kenya. Through these groups I have met two Aussie guys and one Belgian girl and we are trying to create a volunteer/travel group where we add people that we deem are worth it and go. If you are interested, shoot me an email. Im based in Greece now, and greeks unfortunately dont really love to travel especially outside Europe. Looking for more awesome people for group but also to create a group with diversity.

  • Reply
    Frank B. Baiamonte
    December 27, 2013 at 7:24 am

    I’m really enjoying your website, and seeing your vision of the places you’ve been. I doubt I’ll get to many of the places that you’ve visited, but you have provided ideas for a few places my wife and I do plan to go to. Thanks. By the way, I found this site through Yomadic’s website.

    • Reply
      Larissa
      January 3, 2014 at 11:17 pm

      Hi Frank, so glad you found me and that you’ve been enjoying the site. The internet is a great place for traveling without leaving your home or office :) If you do ever make it to any of these places though, definitely let me know if you need any recommendations, etc. Cheers!

  • Reply
    Finnian
    January 9, 2014 at 1:13 pm

    just stumbled across your blog on a random google search, like where you have been, not sure you have been Iceland but you definitely need to go, been twice and need to go back again , still haven’t seen the northern lights. Also did a trip to the Balkans in the summer, wonderful place and will definitely go back.
    Am planning a trip to Russia, Belarus, Latvia and Lithuania in June, but sadly I see you don’t appear to have been Belarus yet, was hoping to pick up a few tips.

    • Reply
      Larissa
      January 11, 2014 at 10:08 pm

      I know, Iceland is high on my list as is Belarus. You’ll have to provide me with the tips as I am sure I won’t get there before June. Sounds like a really great trip you’re going to be doing!

  • Reply
    Abner
    January 14, 2014 at 4:40 pm

    Great blog, stumbled upon it by chance; I particularly like the combination of the travel and photography aspects.
    Only issue is – and this might sound ridiculous – that I cannot find a ‘Follow’ button anywhere!?

    • Reply
      Larissa
      January 23, 2014 at 3:13 am

      Appreciate that, thank you. I think there should be an RSS button on my homepage under all the other social media icons, no? Will look into that…

  • Reply
    Quinn & Jonathon
    January 25, 2014 at 5:27 pm

    We’re from Cali too and LOVE your blog/what you’re doing. Keep up the awesome work, we’ll be following along on your adventures :)

    • Reply
      Larissa
      April 22, 2014 at 4:56 am

      Thanks guys, and cheers to Cali! You keep on adventuring as well :)

  • Reply
    sacredzeros
    January 31, 2014 at 10:36 pm

    Hey Larissa,
    Thanks for this source for Macedonia. I am going there for couple of days. I want to visit Shutka and be guided through there very well. I wanted to ask you if you have got some contact for local fixer. Many thanks.

    • Reply
      Larissa
      January 31, 2014 at 11:18 pm

      Hello and you’re welcome. Unfortunately I do not have any contacts for a local fixer, my friends and I just went on our own. Sorry!

  • Reply
    sacredzeros
    February 2, 2014 at 12:38 am

    Ok. Thanks

  • Reply
    Leanne
    April 8, 2014 at 12:27 am

    Hi! I love your hair color, and your blog here. Do you have an article on how you upkeep your hair while traveling? I feel like many female travelers feel as though they have to practically shave their heads in order to keep managable hair while traveling for a long period of time. Thanks!

    • Reply
      Larissa
      April 22, 2014 at 4:54 am

      Haha, thankfully hasn’t gotten to that point yet for me. Have only had one bad experience with my hair while traveling and believe it or not, it was in Sweden! From London to Ljubljana though, I’ve been really lucky for the most part with hairdressers. Thanks for the compliment, come back anytime! :)

  • Reply
    Jules
    April 20, 2014 at 3:44 am

    Hey Larissa just randomly stumbled upon your site! Looks awesome, can’t wait to follow some of your photography and unique style. Keep up the great work!

    • Reply
      Larissa
      April 22, 2014 at 4:50 am

      Thanks, Jules – you have a pretty cool blog yourself. See ya out there!

  • Reply
    Martyna
    April 30, 2014 at 11:57 pm

    Hey Larissa!
    Love your blog and all of those amazing photographies!
    I’m sooo glad I’ve stopped by here and looked through your posts.
    Some of them inspired me to plan new travels ;)
    Keep blogging Girl!
    Kisses from Poland,
    Martyna

    • Reply
      Larissa
      December 16, 2014 at 11:15 pm

      Dziękuję, Martyna! Stop by anytime :)

  • Reply
    Tasha
    May 9, 2014 at 8:24 pm

    Just found your blog and am totally love it! Can’t wait to start exploring around! =)

    • Reply
      Larissa
      December 16, 2014 at 11:15 pm

      Cheers, Tasha and welcome :)

  • Reply
    Christine
    September 8, 2014 at 8:00 pm

    I just love you and your website!! I shall live vicariously thru you!! ❤️❤️

    • Reply
      Larissa
      September 18, 2014 at 6:48 pm

      Thank you and please do – the more along for the ride, the merrier :)

  • Reply
    Meto Koloski
    September 9, 2014 at 8:29 pm

    Hi Larissa, just saw the Krusevo, Macedonia piece in NYTimes you did. Thank you so much!

    Based on your last name, do you have any Macedonian heritage?

    • Reply
      Larissa
      September 18, 2014 at 6:33 pm

      News about Macedonia spreads fast! My pleasure and no, no Macedonian heritage. Just a lot of love for the country :)

  • Reply
    Anri
    November 9, 2014 at 7:13 am

    Hey Larissa i loved you review about Albania on some blog i saw (since im Albanian :P ) You are cute as well :D

    • Reply
      Larissa
      December 16, 2014 at 11:13 pm

      Falamenderit :)

  • Reply
    Danielle
    December 11, 2014 at 9:31 pm

    Hey Larissa! I recently stumbled upon your blog and I wanted to say that I LOVE your photos and your blog is great! Hope to hear more from you soon!

    • Reply
      Larissa
      December 16, 2014 at 8:53 pm

      Thanks, Danielle! You will definitely be hearing more soon. TONS to talk about after this latest 7 month stint on the road :)

  • Reply
    Sameer
    December 30, 2014 at 12:39 pm

    Hey Larissa,

    You articles are very simple and easy to understand, I mean no heavy words, jargons etc. Simple and lucid flow of words appeal to one and all. Its great that you decided to venture into writing and expressing yourself, I do love to write travelogue, and have written a few on my blog site http://samusayshi.blogspot.com, though I must confess I am not a wanderlust like you and have not travelled as extensively as you have done.

    I am pretty sure with so much of travel exp, you must be having bag full of anecdotes, stories to share. Keep writing girl…

    Sameer

    • Reply
      Larissa
      January 13, 2015 at 4:06 am

      Oh, do I ever have a bag. Perhaps even an entire luggage store. Thanks for the reminder and encouragement – you have no idea how much it means :)

  • Reply
    Sameer
    March 14, 2015 at 6:40 pm

    Hey Larissa,

    I see you visited my site. Thanks. I hope you liked it. Here are some travelogues you would like to read. These are the places which I visited and they are in India and my visit to Mauritius.

    Do let me know

    Waiting to read your latest story.

    Sameer

    • Reply
      Daniela
      June 4, 2015 at 1:25 pm

      Congratulating you dear Larissa for choosing unconventional eastern European destinations as you are an eye opener to your generation.
      I can tell since I started my profesionals career on transylvanian tourism over 20 years ago .
      TRAVELLING AND CULTURE – as a state of mind and life path !
      Wishing you lots of exciting travels.
      Yours Daniela Lauer
      Senior diplomatic partner

      • Reply
        Larissa
        August 11, 2015 at 3:59 pm

        Cheers, Daniela. I think we can both agree those unconventional destinations are usually the more interesting ones so no doubt we would have lots to talk about. Thank you for the comment and wishing you the same exciting travels as well!

  • Reply
    Carmen
    June 8, 2015 at 5:52 pm

    Really liking your blog. I love travelling but I’m not a person that want to leave everything and backpack around the world. I like short trips , weekends away, the best I can do with a busy working live. I do travel alone many times and find that there are no many real tips for people like me out there… a bit older to follow the backpackers tips and certainly too far from the over 50 holiday makers … I find your bog refreshing and I want to be a gypsy too… just brunet :-)
    Keep up the good work

    • Reply
      Larissa
      August 11, 2015 at 3:57 pm

      Yeah there’s not a whole lot in between for our kind of gypsy, is there? :) Thanks so much and happy you found me. Come back any time!

      • Reply
        sanj
        September 28, 2015 at 11:38 am

        for indians safe in Macedonia?

        • Reply
          Larissa
          September 30, 2015 at 10:33 am

          Yes

          • sanj
            October 1, 2015 at 7:57 pm

            you know any indian there?

          • Larissa
            October 5, 2015 at 10:05 am

            No, sorry I don’t

  • Reply
    Carlos Manuel Méndez Torres
    August 7, 2015 at 8:50 pm

    Your bloq is great. It is help me a lot for planning my next trip in december to Balkan.
    A big hug from to El Salvador.

    • Reply
      Larissa
      August 11, 2015 at 3:54 pm

      That makes me really glad to hear and always encourages me to keep writing so thank you :) Wish you a wonderful trip, Carlos!

  • Reply
    Andrea
    November 29, 2015 at 7:41 pm

    just interested-where all the love for Europe,especailly Balkan, in Cali girl, comes from? I am also from Eu-Croatia to be exact but lived in Cali since my teenage days and now in NY…and have daughter Larisa :)

    • Reply
      Larissa
      March 20, 2016 at 12:54 pm

      Haha what a coincidence! Europe is just such a special place when you think of how many different cultures and histories exist within such a relatively small space. After traveling around it for over 10 years, I never expected the Balkans to be the region I fell in love with most as I have no real connections to it at all, but here we are :)

  • Reply
    Gligorce Majstoroski
    February 13, 2016 at 6:05 pm

    So i just wonder what makes you master of europe and especially in “balkan”???
    I’m really wondering without any sarcasm and things like that
    please add me and talk to me and i might be help

    • Reply
      Larissa
      March 20, 2016 at 12:19 pm

      I have a Master of Arts in European Studies (which I believe is mentioned above). Never called myself a master of the Balkans though, just a “connoisseur” as I have the most experience traveling in the region at this point than anywhere else on the continent.

  • Reply
    Gerti
    February 13, 2016 at 11:37 pm

    Nice to hear for Tirana from you Larissa. Hope to come here again and why not to take a drink. You are welcome and thank you for your consideration.

  • Reply
    Rea
    February 29, 2016 at 8:26 am

    Hi Larissa,

    I must say that I LOOOOVE your style and I really enjoy reading your posts :) Me and my boyfriend are starting a travel blog too, cross your fingers for us! :) I hope you will complete your Balkans tour one day and visit our home country, Slovenia :)

    Wishing you all the best,

    Rea

    • Reply
      Larissa
      March 20, 2016 at 11:25 am

      I’ve had the pleasure of spending some time in Slovenia and seriously can’t wait to get back so maybe I will see you guys there :) Thanks so much for the style compliment and best of luck to you guys!

  • Reply
    Ron and Mary
    March 7, 2016 at 1:42 pm

    We want to rent a small furnished cottage on Madeira Island. Is there not also a town on the island called Madeira? Do you know anyone from your trip there with whom we could correspond to find something before we go in Sept?

    • Reply
      Larissa
      March 13, 2016 at 3:21 pm

      Maybe you should check out http://frommadeiratomars.com – it’s my friend’s girlfriend who is from the island and I imagine knows all the answers to your questions

  • Reply
    Sofia Vasconcelos
    March 14, 2016 at 10:40 pm

    Hi Larissa,

    Thank you from mentioning my blog.
    I hope you do come to Madeira and visit me and Kash one day :).

    Hi Ron and Mary,

    Madeira is the name of the Island, not the city. The capital city is Funchal.
    There’s also another Island called Porto Santo, which is reachable by ferry boat from Funchal.
    If you’re looking for places to stay in Madeira you can check a few of my favorites airbnb here: http://frommadeiratomars.com/airbnb-on-madeira/

    Any questions I can help, please send them through, happy to help.
    Enjoy your Holiday!

    Best,
    Sofia

    • Reply
      Larissa
      March 20, 2016 at 11:07 am

      Of course, my pleasure! I immediately thought of you when I got this question and I’m sure Kash has informed you about my love for the island which dates back to around when him and I first met in 2012 :) Definitely hope to visit you someday soon and please give me a call if you guys ever find yourself in Kosovo/the Balkans!

  • Reply
    Nikola
    June 8, 2016 at 11:17 am

    Hi Larissa,

    fantastic blog, wish i found it earlier….i am traveling solo to Lyon next week. Have you been there, have any tips? I am from Macedonia, are you still here?

  • Reply
    danny
    June 19, 2016 at 11:20 am

    hi larissa,

    my compliments on your blog. this site is all about beauty: the places, the words, the pictures, even the girl ;-) but most beautiful of all is the spirit shining through the words.

    keep up the good work!!

    danny

    • Reply
      Larissa
      July 7, 2016 at 2:56 pm

      Thanks, Danny :) Am trying!

  • Reply
    Anna L
    July 2, 2016 at 8:51 pm

    Love your about page… funnily enough it sounds similar to mine :D

  • Reply
    SAFFET ARSLAN
    September 2, 2016 at 8:02 am

    Dobro jutro Larissa ,
    hope you enjoy your travel in Makedonija , and also you must to go visit Marko’s castle in Prilep and the very beautifull monastery of Zerze 30 km from the same town , on the road to Bitola !
    Regards

    • Reply
      Larissa
      October 5, 2016 at 1:29 pm

      Thank you, Saffet. I have been to Marko’s Castle in Prilep and Treskavec – just beautiful. Will have to check out this monastery though, sounds interesting!

  • Reply
    Thomas
    November 29, 2016 at 8:53 pm

    Hey, Larissa!

    Me and a friend of mine will travel to Odessa, Tiraspol and Chisinau in October 2017. Reading your blog was very helpful and I bet we will enjoy our trip!

    Best regards from Germany

    Thomas

    • Reply
      Larissa
      April 15, 2017 at 10:00 am

      Hi Thomas, how exciting! I haven’t been in years so definitely let us know how it goes in 2017 :)

  • Reply
    Amrit Lamba
    December 5, 2016 at 9:13 pm

    Hey Larissa,
    You are living such an awesome, adventures and fantastic life. Your blogging style is as fresh as morning dewdrop, your photography ! oh my god ! it feels such that you captured it ‘what it feels like’…I have no more words then that you’r living what some other just have a dreams to live…

    It’ll be a pleasure to invite you and I’ll be proud to welcome you to explore INDIA…So Please come..

    • Reply
      Larissa
      April 15, 2017 at 10:01 am

      That is very kind of you to say, sounds like a poem. Would love to see India – someday!

  • Reply
    Frank McCaughey
    January 28, 2017 at 4:18 am

    Hey Larissa,

    I just want to write a quick message to commend you on your incredible work promoting the Balkans. There is a huge amount of blogging literature out there on other travel hotspots such as Southeast Asia and Europe in general however your focus through great write ups and photography on the last area of Europe somewhat undiscovered is excellent. Having done a brief month tour through the region in the summer I can agree that it is hugely underrated and represents excellent value of money. Over the next decade however when the last countries of the region will gain admission to the European Union the area will see huge development and an increase in mass tourism so now is definitely the time for anyone interested to get out there and tour the region.

    Keep up the amazing work :)
    And if you ever need a change of scenery make it Ireland ;)

    Kindest regards,
    Frank

    • Reply
      Larissa
      April 15, 2017 at 10:12 am

      Hi Frank! Thanks for the very nice message, it feels great to be recognized for my work :) Definitely will keep up the coverage on the lesser explored spots. You are indeed right about a lot changing once (and if) some of the countries join the EU but I still think there are a few years left that many of them will remain somewhat wild and lots of spots still unexplored. No plans for Ireland unfortunately, but will definitely send you a ping if that changes!

  • Reply
    Jen
    May 22, 2017 at 7:05 pm

    Hi Larissa,

    Your blog is fantastic! It’s really inspired me :) I’ve been planning to go and do the Via dinarica this summer as a solo female-do you think that’s ok? Or is it better to go with a tour guide? Thanks! :)

    • Reply
      Larissa
      April 6, 2018 at 4:28 am

      I know it’s super late, but this makes me super happy :) Not sure if you already did it but totally depends on where you were planning. In Bosnia & Herzegovina is the most developed trails and I think you could totally swing it solo but get towards Albania/Kosovo/Macedonia and you definitely need a guide. At least for now.

  • Reply
    Graham
    September 22, 2017 at 4:15 am

    You’re great! Interesting blog, especially the alpine region of France.
    My wife and I are living in Hanoi (12 years now), andwe will shortly be moving to Lyon, where our son (my stepson) and his small family live. We are investing in apartments there, to start a B&B business – we would love to have you as our guest! Keep usin mind!

    • Reply
      Larissa
      April 6, 2018 at 4:29 am

      Thank you, Graham – I absolutely will :) Enjoy, I loved Lyon!

  • Reply
    Koen
    April 9, 2018 at 8:08 pm

    Hi Larissa, I stumbled upon your website while doing research for my urban exploration hobby. For the moment I’m getting ready for my fourth trip to Bulgaria but you’ve really sparkled my interest in travelling the Balkan.So keep them stories coming ;-)

    • Reply
      Larissa
      June 19, 2018 at 4:21 am

      Well no better place for urban exploring than Bulgaria! Glad you found me, more Balkan content coming soon! :)

  • Reply
    Peter
    April 24, 2018 at 5:04 pm

    Hello Larissa, O my god what a nice blog you have!
    Now I have a lot to read, I already saw good tips for which thanks.
    I also travel a lot in the Balkans (but I still have to do a lot)

    • Reply
      Larissa
      June 19, 2018 at 3:05 am

      Thank you for the compliment, Peter! Hope you found some interesting things :)

  • Reply
    John
    August 17, 2021 at 7:58 pm

    Larissa where you at girl?

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