Balabanova All Over
#TakeYourTimeOff
About Nadya
Hi there! I am so glad you found me! My mission is to empower you to #TakeYourTimeOff and explore the world. I started this blog as a way to keep family and friends in the loop when I went on a 3-week trip to Asia in 2011. Although I’ve always enjoyed traveling, it wasn’t until a trip to Peru in 2012 that I started to think about ways to make travel a… Read More
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Top Posts
[Lisbon, Portugal, May 15, 2025] And just like that, our four days in Madeira came to an end and it was time to return to Lisbon for two more fun-filled days before going back to the US. Teddy and I caught the first flight out of Madeira, which was at the ungodly hour of 5:50 am. Besides being one of the cheapest options, the early flight allowed Teddy to make it all… Read More
[Pico de Areiro / Santana, Madeira, May 14, 2025] I had been watching the weather every single day, hoping for a window of opportunity to hike one of Madeira’s best known hikes. At almost 6,000 ft, Pico de Areiro is the third highest peak on the island. An 8-mile round-trip trail connects it to Madeira’s highest, Pico Ruvio. In the Madeira hiking system, it’s marked as PR1. PR stands for “Pequena Rota,”… Read More
[Achadas da Cruz / Porto Moniz / Seixal, Maderia, May 13, 2025] After yesterday’s car fiasco, it was time to attempt the west side of Maderia again. We had three main stops in mind, and added 2 more quick stops for a viewpoint and a waterfall. Achadas da Cruz Out of all 4 cable cars in Madeira, Teleferico de Achadas da Cruz is the best. Nestled in the north-western corner of Madeira,… Read More
[Caniçal / Santana, Madeira, May 12, 2025] After our fun day in Funchal, it was time to leave the walkability of Madeira’s capital behind and start driving around the island. For our first day outside the capital, we decided to head west. Our plan was to check out the highest skywalk in Europe, then continue west to Madeira’s famous natural pools in Porto Moniz. But our day turned out entirely different. We… Read More
[Funchal, Maderia, May 11, 2025] Parking was free in Funchal on Sunday. We took it as a sign to leave the car behind and spend the day in the city. As we headed out, we encountered a small parade part of the Madeira Flower Festival. We walked by the Madeira sign again, and I had to take a photo! We walked along the ocean front and I marveled at these huge concrete… Read More