Sticky post
Visit Transylvania
Three recommendations with love, from the heart of Transylvania and one cliché, as usual. The historic region is synonym with mystery, but travelers must look past Dracula to discover it properly. It has much to offer, from nature, adventure, mountains, fortified cities, Saxon villages and yes, appropriately spooky castles.
Continue reading “Visit Transylvania”
Fragments of Bucharest & 2021
This year had everything, good memories, challenges, lessons, new variants, depending on your frame of mind. I’m grateful that after a long time, I was able to travel to Vienna, go on a journey in Tuscany, attend a concert in Berlin, to enjoy a meal at a restaurant in Bologna, meet friends in Madrid or visit a museum in Bucharest.
Spending some time in 2021 in dear Bucharest was wonderful, a city that has changed since I was living there, as is only natural. Many (more) reasons to visit Romania, besides family and friends, are to swim in the Black Sea, the Carpathian mountains, or events as the Romanian Design week and the G.Enescu Music Festival.
Continue reading “Fragments of Bucharest & 2021”
Luxembourg Soufflé
Thoughts from the road, in a December, after exploring the small Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, zigzagging alleys, and a familiar mix of French and German culture. The more I explore, the more familiar a place and the world feel. Also, the more I write, the easier it is and the lighter I feel.
Continue reading “Luxembourg Soufflé”
Tapas for lunch, flamenco for dinner
Madrid days started with traditional churros with hot chocolate and strong coffee (cortado) at Chocolaterías San Ginés, like a Madrileño, had sunshine & tapas for lunch, and ended with ‘tinto de verano’ drink, reminding me of the summer I thought was over, with flamenco guitar in the background.
Continue reading “Tapas for lunch, flamenco for dinner”
‘De Madrid al cielo’ mix
Madrid is a city I wanted to visit before the pandemic. Was a journey that took me by surprise – with a mix of Brussels friendship, Flamenco, Passeo de Prado Art Walk, tapas in Mercados, sunsets, Spanish history and busy streets, as a preview of the days to come.
Continue reading “‘De Madrid al cielo’ mix”
Brussels – Art Nouveau Marathon
October flashbacks, as one fall in Brussels was unforgettable because was all about Art Nouveau. Inoubliable. Made many notes and photos so I don’t forget. Art Nouveau and Art Deco Biennale was a celebration of Architecture and design variety of buildings in Brussels.
Where to begin?
Continue reading “Brussels – Art Nouveau Marathon”
Moments in Vienna
Revisited a dear place. August. The Old meets the New in Vienna. Always a pleasure to return to this wonderful city, with something new to discover.
Vienna Museum Quarter has a new rooftop bar and platform, Libelle MQ, at the top of the Leopold Museum.
Continue reading “Moments in Vienna”
Made in Florence
Typical breakfast is cornetto, sometimes filled with cream, eaten while standing at the bar next to a cappuccino. When it comes to shopping, Milan is a fashion capital, but “Made in Italy” has roots in Florence.
Continue reading “Made in Florence”
Journey to Firenze, Toscana
Tuscany is so beautiful, it has to be seen to be believed. The city of Florence is famous for its overwhelming art galleries and Michelangelo Renaissance sculptures in marble, but still, I was struck by the colors of vineyards, or sounds of the cypresses. Or the scented air with notes of leather, olive oil and amber.
Continue reading “Journey to Firenze, Toscana”
Taste of Bologna
Best things to do in Italy all involve food. Bologna is at the center of Emilia-Romagna region, famous for Parmigiano-Reggiano, Mortadella and Prosciutto di Palma, but also aceto balsamico di Modena and much more. And to think I associated in the past the city only with pasta sauce and the Bologna university system, home of Europe oldest university.
Continue reading “Taste of Bologna”
Enjoy Berlin
Berlin is not short of ways to enjoy the warmer months, in both Spring and Summer. Oldest beer garden and open air cinema. Museum and galleries, lakes and rooftops, bookshops and icecream.
Continue reading “Enjoy Berlin”
Bonsoir Printemps, Strasbourg
Voilà. I went last time to vibrant Strasbourg in a very warm weekend in February that made me think Spring is on its way. I remember I walked on a street called Rue de Printemp (Spring street) near the European Parliament. There is something romantic walking in any French city, but especially one with the name of a season.
Continue reading “Bonsoir Printemps, Strasbourg”
Potsdam – Palaces & Parks
Potsdam is a one day trip from Berlin, and is a city that invited exploration as it has 17 palaces spread across 3 parks from a Prussian royal heritage. The parks and palaces complex are today an UNESCO World site and a mix of styles with gardens inspired from many parts of the world – Greece, Italy, France or ancient Asia.
Continue reading “Potsdam – Palaces & Parks”
Kreuzkölln in Berlin
Kreuzberg and Neukölln neighborhoods were like a puzzle. Unconventional, different, yet still Berlin. Contrasting parts of the city, most tolerant, and in the same time, surprisingly traditional, both part of former West Berlin.
Continue reading “Kreuzkölln in Berlin”
Antwerpen Central Station
There is something about train stations and time. The most beautiful train station I ever saw with magnificent details was in Antwerp. The classic central station was first used in 1905 (yes, really). The city, known as Anvers by French speakers, is one I feel connected by many memories, and must be the third most visited Belgian city in the years I lived in this country, after Brussels and Bruges.
Continue reading “Antwerpen Central Station”
Brâncuși Week & The Endless Column
Art inspired from Romanian mythology and traditions and carved in wood, stone and later bronze. From Târgu-Jiu and Bucharest to Paris, via Munich until New York. Every year, on the 19th of February, a tribute is paid to honor the memory of genius artist Constantin Brâncuși, pioneer of modern sculpture. But the Brâncuși Week starts today.
Continue reading “Brâncuși Week & The Endless Column”
A day in Salzburg
City of Mozart, Marzipan combined with pistachio, covered in dark chocolate, or Sound of Music and Christmas markets? Besides Vienna, Austria has more beautiful cities, and Salzburg is one hidden treasure. Dream now, visit later.
Continue reading “A day in Salzburg”
Berlin Friedrichshain
Going East to start the party. Friedrichshain is an eclectic mix of alternative places, vibrant street art, pieces of Berlin history and lively squares. Is the place of the iconic East Side Gallery, the destination for techno club culture, but also the home to many Berliners and filming location for the Queen’s Gambit.
Continue reading “Berlin Friedrichshain”
West Berlin & Charlottenburg
Exploring the old Berlin with Charlottenburg, from Sophia Charlotte of Hanover. In this part of former West Berlin located near Tiergarden park, you can combine (soon) Palace or museum visits with shopping and alternative places.
Continue reading “West Berlin & Charlottenburg”
Travel Journal 