Ever want to get away from it all? Leave the crazy hustle? Get lost? Unplug? Let go? Breathe for a minute? I love the city, but I also love to distance myself by turning off the phone, wandering, and going where the wind carries me. The best places are often on the path less traveled, miles from civilization, way up high, on the water… in the middle of nowhere. Here are just a few stunningly beautiful photos that capture just that.

Breathtaking, cliff-side hike along the Amalfi coast from Agerola to Positano.

Layers of sienna and gold dirt on the outskirts of Nicosia in Cyprus.

Paradise (aka the Andaman sea) is dotted with 1000s of uninhabited, lush islands and hidden beaches.

Nothing for miles but a few scrawny cows and goats on the hills of Batanes in the Philippines.

High above the clouds in the Swiss Alps near the Italian border, the Matterhorn stands tall!

Somewhere off the roadside in Donegal Co., Ireland, a scene that would inspire a Bob Ross painting.

In the tall grasses of the Florida Everglades, be quiet and you’ll hear a swish or two that might be a gator.

Rock art and mountains in Iceland, somewhere roughly 45 minutes outside the capital of Reykjavik.

Taro fields in Kauai, Hawaii’s “Garden Isle”, will one day become the starchy, Polynesian staple poi.

Santorini’s caldera is a haven for seekers of solitude and some one-on-one time with nature’s splendor.

A drive through Tuscany reveals tiny roads into open fields and trees that stand alone.

This coastal walk from Monaco along the Cap d’Ail has endless views of the deep blue Mediterranean.

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On our travels, we were fortunate to find a wonderful place to stay with Theo. He was our kind and generous host, renting out a beautiful, ground floor apartment to us for our two week stopover (which we thoroughly enjoyed). He’s been kind enough to indulge us in a little Q&A, and share an insider’s look the island nation of Cyprus.

Hi! Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I’m Theodoros and I am a music teacher in a public secondary school in Limassol, Cyprus, and a professional flute performer. I consider myself an outgoing person, who enjoys meeting new people and discovering new places. I’m happy when travelers from abroad come to discover Cyprus, as I believe traveling brings people together, leads to better communication and ultimately, this will build a better world for tomorrow. I enjoy the arts and culture, music among them, which is also the best way humans can communicate! I enjoy relaxing by the beach and chilling with friends and loved ones.

Why Limassol? How long have you lived there?
Limassol is my home town, I’ve lived here all my life. I am part of Limassol and Limassol is part of me. We’re interconnected. It’s not just a city, it’s my home… As they say, home is where your heart is. Well, my heart is in Limassol. I love the fact the city embraces the sea, this openness to the blue, this forever changing view that looks like a live canvas. The marine colour with splashes of white in fall and spring, the dark ocean blue in winter when it’s difficult to see where the sea ends and the sky begins, the bright blue in summer when the sea mirrors the bright sun… all this with the coming and going of ships and boats…

Is it easy to get around on foot, or do you recommend a bike, car, public transportation, etc?
Walking in Limassol is easy, and it’s an ideal way to take in the beautiful seafront with the promenade. Biking is highly recommended as there is already infrastructure with cycle lanes and a bike sharing system, and improvements keep being implemented to make cycling an even better experience. Renting a car is still the best way to discover the island though, as many of the picturesque places are not easily accessible by public transportation.

How many days do you recommend visitors spend in Limassol? In Cyprus?
An ideal stay in Cyprus should be around 10 days. Even though Cyprus is a small island, there are beautiful spots and hidden gems all over the island. The most idyllic places are not easily accessible and deserve a full day excursion. Visiting all the island’s cities is also a must, as each has a distinct character, something quite amazing for such a small island. Limassol is an ideal starting base for discovering the island as it is situated in between other cities and close to the Troodos mountain range, the “green heart” of Cyprus.

Are there any “must see” things visitors can’t leave Cyprus without seeing?
There are many “must see” things, but the most important are “Petra tou Romiou”, Aphrodite’s birth place according to Greek mythology, and Ancient Kourion, an amazing archaeological site overseeing the sea.

What is your favorite restaurant right now?
Favourite restaurant is Forsos Tavern in Moutayiaka, a traditional tavern, serving Cypriot meze as they should be: local products, plentiful and tasty!

Are there any “locals only” secrets you can let us in on?
Agios Epiktitos Tavern in Amenochori for an amazing view over Limassol and Millomeris Waterfalls for an “oasis” of freshness in the mountains, even during the summer months!

Do you enjoy travel? Where have you been? Where would you like to go?
I love travelling. Seeing new places, living differently, interacting with other people with different cultures and histories, is an amazing thing. Travelling is to me a life-enriching experience. I’ve been to many European countries, both in Western and Eastern Europe, but I would love to have the opportunity to go back to the USA to see more of it, and to discover Thailand, Brazil and Australia!

Thanks so much again to Theo for answering our questions, giving us helpful insight, and for being such an amazing host during our travels. If you plan on visiting Cyprus and are looking for a great place to stay, check out his airbnb listing.

The post Interview with a Local: Theo from Cyprus appeared first on Camera & Carry On.

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, we decidedly mixed things up this year. There weren’t any fancy clothes, a dozen roses, or a three-course, gourmet meal. Donning our finest long johns, we left the candy hearts and chocolates (well, maybe not chocolates) to the masses, and made our way to mountains, hoping to score a glimpse of the world famous Matterhorn. From top to bottom, our offbeat love day was one of the best ever, and here’s why…

We rented the most picturesque, petit chalet/love nest.

Took a train to Zermatt and found the car-free town to be even cuter than we imagined; with horse drawn sleighs, powdery snow, and quaint ski shops.

Played in the snow.

Saw the Matterhorn in all its mountainous glory.

Ordered hot chocolate (with rum). Tried taking a photo of it. Failed at the photo (indoor/outdoor temp difference = foggy lens). Shrugged and enjoyed our delicious adult beverages.

Stumbled upon the greatest nutty bread ever, and the amazing goodness of matterhorn-shaped nougat chocolates.

Rode the chairlift and found jaw-dropping views at each level.

Made it to the Matterhorn observation deck and nearly froze our faces off in the subzero temperatures. A small price to pay for being above the clouds. Breathtaking!

Did we mention it was crazy-windy?!

Thawed out and filled our bellies with some traditional, hearty Swiss fare…

…and (bonus!) a little oom-pa-pa for the cherry on top.

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