Memories, emotions and also less happy events from 2022 unfold in my mind. I browse through all to remember the sunset in Portugal, a reunion in Sweden, days in nature and time spend on a Greek island.
I traveled more than I expected. I remember spring days in Brussels and nights in Berlin. The midsummer light in Paris after work and the streets of Vienna before German classes.
And the emotions I always feel in Romania – this year was both joy and a wave of sadness.
Unexpected year. 9 countries
I strongly believe that everyone should do what they feel works best for them, but I can tell you about what I have found to work for me. This year, I returned to many places and cities, as a way to return to myself. It wasn’t always about the places, often it was about the connection, lessons, or the people I had by my side.
Also, a couple of objectives for 2022 from my list were to enjoy the diversity of Berlin, to gift myself often tickets to concerts, exhibitions or theater, and to go monthly to festivals, day trips or longer travels.
Favorites 2022
Best exhibition / museum. I enjoy to make lists and review my year. Was not easy to rank the best museums visited in 2022 – but Leopold Museum in Vienna, Musée d’Orsay in Paris and the New National Gallery in Berlin are in my top 3. And a special mention, Artipelag in the nature of the Stockholm Archipelago.
Great classical concert. Definitely Australian Chamber Orchestra at Pierre Boulez Saal Berlin. The first piece with William Barton, Aboriginal Australian didgeridoo player, moved me so deeply, I can’t explain why, in a the way only extraordinary music can.
Non-classical concerts. Two memorable – Pink Martini at Verti Music Hall and James Bay at Admiral Palast. Plus one with old Romanian Christmas carols at the National Theater “I.L.Caragiale” Bucharest.
Best shows / dance performance. Many great ones in 2022 attended at different venues – from The Mirror | Gravity at Chamäleon Theater or ARISE at Friedrichstradt Palast in Berlin (with a piece inspired by Echad Mi Yodea by Tel Aviv choreographer Ohad Naharin), to incredible Trajal Harrell / Schauspielhaus Zürich Dance Ensemble at Volkstheater Vienna.
Favorite movie seen in theaters was The Outfit by Graham Moore, as part of Berlinale Special Gala at Friedrichstadt Palace. Attending every year in February the Berlinale International Film Festival is already a tradition.
Most beautiful new place seen this year was unexpected – hiking on the western coast of Corfu island until a beautiful beach, with stunning mountain views. The clarity of the blue Ionian Sea was healing and helped me organize my thoughts. While the best new experience was visiting the Wiener Staatsoper, a bucket list item, and I hope to attend a ball there or somewhere else someday.
Valuable learning experiences – German classes combined with Art / Kunst in KulturForum, French movies, Berlin Literature festival, productive work trips, and all the economics books about my profession, while Berlin Science Week at Naturkunde Museum and Embassies all over the city was a reminder to stay curious.*
As Time Goes By
My little website became more than a digital travel journal, is a place for introspection and a time capsule with moments, sunsets, meals, memories. As each year, thank you for the most read top 5 stories from 2022 from 5 cities I love:
- From Paris with Art – Impressionism journey & croissants. My favorite story
- Rediscover Lisboa – Miradouros in Alfama & the Atlantic ocean in Estoril
- Brussels briefing – Walking again on paths imprinted in my heart, in a city that felt like home from day one
- Wiener Melange – Gustav Klimt, Coffee, Opera
- Berlin Philarmonie & the joy to discover the musical diversity in my city.
Travel Journal 
What a wonderful year you had! I also went to the Opera in Vienna for the first time this year, and to say that it was beautiful would be an understatement! I hope 2023 is filled with great adventures too!
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Thank you, Juliette! Was just a honest snapshot, I also had difficult moments, like everyone. Hope to return soon to Vienna. And I wish you the same for 2023!
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