Tuscany is so beautiful, it has to be seen to be believed. The city of Florence is known for its overwhelming art galleries and Michelangelo Renaissance sculptures in marble, but still, I was struck by the colors of vineyards, sounds of the cypresses or the scented air with notes of leather and amber.
Continue reading “Journey to Firenze, Toscana”
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”
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”
Voilà. I went last time to Strasbourg in a warm weekend in February that made me think Spring is on its way. I remember walking on a street called Rue de Printemps (Spring) 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 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”
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”
Most photogenic city in Europe must be Amsterdam. This Dutch city is pretty at every corner with the picture perfect charming houses, over 1000 bridges bridges for 165 canals and world-class museums. I was lucky that I visited the cozy city 4 times during the years I lived in Brussels, so I wrote down from my journal 4 memories.
Continue reading “I Amsterdam”
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”
Art inspired from Romanian mythology and traditions and carved in wood, sandstone and later bronze or marble. 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”
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”
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”
Exploring the old Berlin in 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”
We measure something so abstract as time in days, months and years as is easier for us to shape it. 2020 was no ordinary “year”, not in perception or in facts. So I was reflecting and looked back. Winter had lights and music in Berlin. After that, Spring was marked by uncertainty. Summer was sunnier and bohemian in Hamburg, Prague and Munich, and Fall emotional.
Continue reading “A Year In The Life”
Heading West today to Timișoara, the 3rd largest city of Romania. Still left to explore in this part of the country. Near the borders with Serbia and Hungary, Timisoara is beautiful and full of surprises. For generations, Romanians have lives here alongside Serbs, Germans, Croats or Hungarians. The city was chosen as the 2023 European Capital of culture and is truly a touristic destination.
Continue reading “Amazing Timișoara in 24 Hours”
Once upon a time, I acknowledged the beauty of the European continent. When in Estonia for a summer school, we took the ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki with “Viking line”, because is “only two hours away”. Yes! I learned a Finish untranslatable word – “sisu”, that might be the definition of happiness. And the Scandinavian habit “friluftsliv”, useful now, in pandemic times.
Continue reading “Helsinki ~ White Night”
Travel Journal 