For my retrospective, is not always easy to put in a few paragraphs the results of a year’s work and of personal milestones, of travels, planned events or unexpected moments.
Writing small notes and travel diaries helped me to reflect, remember details of this year, or to hold feelings in my body. I wrote and worked, traveled and volunteered to open my eyes more and grow.
Best of Berlin – Still enjoying all Berlin has to offer. This year was also rich in cultural experiences. I remember nights at Berlinale International Film Festival in order to see Cate Blanchett and Todd Field’s TÁR. Among other events, I didn’t forget all the museums visited, a Musical Gala at Admiral Palast, or my first times at Komischer Oper and Deutsches Theater. Frauenlauf run in Tiergarden and many incredible hours of other sports.
Most memorable classical music this year was at Konzerthaus, listening first to Maestra Alondra de la Parra, and again later South Africann rhythms with Abel Selaocoe & Bantu Ensemble. While favorite concerts were Carminho from Portugal at Philharmonie and at Lollapalooza Berlin festival, Macklemore and Imagine Dragons.
Most unexpected place I saw in 2023 was the Margravial Opera House in Bayreuth, Germany. It was built in 1745 and was included in the UNESCO list as the most beautiful baroque theater in Europe.
Read also 2022 Wanderlust Diary
Midsummer dreams – Waldbühne near the Olympic Stadium was for me the most beautiful open air concert venue in a warm evening, listening to Jonas Kaufmann. In fact, the entire Olympic Park will be special after volunteering at the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023, with athletes from 170 countries. And in Bucharest, after one big achievement, attending favorite George Enescu music festival was the end of summer highlight.
December started with many Christmas markets in Berlin, Advent concerts, receptions and winter lights. In the end, the most beautiful building I saw was in Bucharest, the Cesianu Racoviță Palace, built in the late 19th century, with a former ballroom decorated for Christmas, but that today is hosting Artmark gallery, jewelry and art auctions.
Der Weg ist das Ziel = the journey is the reward
Retrospective
As each year, thank you for the most read top 5 stories from 2023 time capsule and fragments that I chose to share:
- Walk Eat Rome – all roads lead to Rome for a reason. Vivid and favorite travel memories from May. A return after 7 years. Rome you experience and than write home about;
- Athens. Travel report at the Acropolis, where every trip is a story, and first time in scenic Anafiotika neighborhood. How do you say nostalgia in Greek?
- Exploring Edinburgh – favorite trip of the year, where Scotland was as I imagined it would be – friendly, in royal celebration, with gloomy weather, Harry Potter-esque;
- Museum Island, Klimt & Fashion – Yes, Klimt of Vienna in Berlin in the Museum Island, most extraordinary exhibition visited this year, after RIANNA + NINA fashion show in front of Alte Nationalgalerie;
- Book review – A Year in Provence – I tried something new, besides learning to play tennis, and I wrote my first book review, Peter Mayle’s memoir in the South of France, as well as “My Invented Country” by Isabel Allende. Can you miss a place you’ve never seen?
Year 2023 will not be an easy one to forget.
Travel Journal 
Seems like you had a great year of traveling and events, filled with art and music! I wish you all the best for this New Year!
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Thanks you so much Juliette! Happy New Year to you too
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